Vocational Discernment at VDS

Articulating the Value of Your VDS Degree

Graduate theological degrees can be translated into many career fields. Here are some tips for how to talk about the value of these degrees with potential employers that are not familiar with these programs: 

• Analytical Skills
  
  In pursuing a graduate education, students are required to do extensive research and to further develop and utilize critical thinking skills.


• Time Management
  
  Graduate degree programs allow for a great amount of flexibility in scheduling classes and completing coursework and assignments.  Graduates have proven success in developing timelines and completing large tasks by predetermined deadlines.


• Communication Skills
  
  Completing a graduate degree from Vanderbilt Divinity School requires competence in skill in a range of writing forms, including concise response papers and summaries as well as lengthy, in-depth research papers.  Additionally, graduates have refined their oral communication skills through discussion groups and presentations in the classroom.


• Engaging a Pluralistic World
  
  World religions play a major part in the interconnectedness of our society and can function as either a point of understanding and cooperation or as a place of conflict and division.  Divinity school graduates are well-prepared to enter the workplace and engage in discussions about contemporary issues across various religious and cultural traditions in a way that honors global diversity.
  
  


• Thinking Across Disciplines
  
  As part of a larger academic institution, a graduate degree in religion from Vanderbilt Divinity School requires examining topics and issues across various disciplines including ethics, law, political science, business, psychology, sociology, and many more.


• Thoughtful Engagement with the Community
  
  Some of the most valuable experiences while a student at Vanderbilt Divinity School come from engagement with the community through internships and other out-of-classroom experiences.  The field education program provides the opportunity to engage in work in a variety of settings and then return to the classroom setting for reflection and further integration of academic learning and practical experiences.