Finding out concerning the practices, narratives, and concepts that folks generally determine as spiritual is fascinating. What college students don’t typically understand (at the very least at first) is how a lot the talents that they develop in Non secular Research lessons profit them not solely in different lessons but in addition after commencement. Three alums of our MA Faith in Tradition program returned to the division final month to speak about their experiences working at UA. A kind of MA alums did their BA at Alabama, whereas the others have been REL majors elsewhere earlier than coming right here.
Sonya Harwood-Johnson, initially from Grimes, Iowa, earned her BA in Anthropology and Non secular Research from Iowa State College. She got here to Alabama for her MA, specializing in American Paganism and WitchTok—however regularly started to pursue one other ardour: worldwide schooling. Whereas inside our division, Sonya had an internship with the Workplace of Worldwide Pupil and Scholar Companies, the place she then began working in her last semester earlier than graduating in 2022. In March of 2024, she was appointed as Director of the Gorgas Home—a museum on the College of Alabama’s campus. Such a big transfer illustrates the worth of the Non secular Research coaching for her. Whereas an engineer or accountant could also be educated to do one explicit job, the talents developed in Non secular Research (social evaluation, essential considering, analysis, communication, venture administration, and so on.) apply to a variety of jobs, enabling her to shift positions and advance.
Katie Johnson accomplished her BA on the College of Alabama and completed her MA right here in 2023. Her analysis pursuits mix historical past, archaeology, faith, delusion, and tradition. Katie obtained her MA in Non secular Research, with a certificates in each Digital Humanities and Museum Research. Her job search after commencement took a number of months, however Katie now works full-time with the College of Alabama’s Honors Faculty because the Honors 12 months One Coordinator. Her experiences within the job market highlighted the necessity for persistence and the trouble to refine her presentation in interviews, together with articulating how Non secular Research strengthens her capability to work with a variety of scholars.
Judah Siekkinen got here to UA after incomes his BA in Non secular Research and Geography from Youngstown State College. In our division, Judah was capable of join his pursuits in popular culture, politics, and non secular research with our MA’s emphasis on social principle. Judah grew to become significantly taken with serving to college students who face challenges whereas pursuing an schooling. Thus, he pursued internships in Accessibility and Incapacity Companies. After graduating in 2022, Judah discovered a place on the Capstone Middle for Pupil Success, the place he now works as a Teaching Coordinator, using the vary of expertise he developed within the examine of faith to assist a variety of scholars succeed.
Through the colloquium, our 3 alumni-turned-guests started offering recommendation for college kids and graduates on the lookout for jobs, whether or not at UA or elsewhere.
Recommendation:
- Discover what you’re obsessed with after which be pragmatic. Work out make a profession that builds on these passions. For instance, all three have discovered alternatives to assist college students be taught in workers positions on campus.
- Community continuously. Chatting with individuals from different elements of the college and expressing curiosity of their program helps.
- Hone these tender expertise. Anybody can discover ways to code, however it takes considerably extra to discover ways to discuss to individuals
- Analysis the job earlier than you apply. Studying extra concerning the place, the workplace, and the emphases in that workplace can assist you put together a stronger software and interview.
- Replicate upon your interviews. Instantly afterwards, take into consideration your solutions within the interview. If a query within the interview brought about you to stumble, observe creating a greater reply that demonstrates your expertise.
- Make your self stand out. Frequently replace your resume and CV to suit the job you’re making use of for, however hold a full resume detailing every thing in order that it’s simple to adapt for the subsequent alternative.
