3 answers
Emma
Student
Shawnee, Oklahoma
1
Question
Asked
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What are some possible career paths for me?
I am a sophomore psychology major with a Christian ministry minor! I love kids and want to work with children to some capacity, but I don't want to be a counselor. What other career paths would combine psychology, kids, and possibly ministry?
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3 answers
Alyssa Jackson
Management Consulting
3
Answers
Decorah, Iowa
Updated
Alyssa’s Answer
My first piece of advice would be to find an internship and try something! Take special note of the day to day activities that you enjoy; the days make your career, so think about how you can serve the people in your workplace by bringing your strengths to your daily work!
Here are some options to consider:
1. Child Life Specialist
What it is: Child life specialists work in hospitals to help children and families cope with medical procedures, hospitalization, and trauma.
How it fits: Uses psychology to support children emotionally and developmentally; opportunities to provide spiritual support in faith-based hospitals.
2. Youth Ministry Director or Children’s Pastor
What it is: Leads programs for children and youth in churches, planning activities, teaching, and providing mentorship.
How it fits: Combines ministry with child development knowledge; psychology helps in understanding and supporting young people's needs.
3. Nonprofit Work with Children
What it is: Many faith-based and secular nonprofits focus on children’s welfare, education, or advocacy (e.g., after-school programs, foster care agencies, international missions).
How it fits: Roles may include program coordination, outreach, or education, where psychology helps in designing effective programs and understanding child behavior.
4. Christian School Teacher or Administrator
What it is: Teaching or administrative roles in Christian schools, especially in early childhood or elementary education.
How it fits: Psychology background aids in classroom management and understanding learning differences; ministry minor supports integration of faith.
5. Camp Director or Program Staff (Faith-Based Camps)
What it is: Organizing and leading children’s camps, especially those with a Christian focus.
How it fits: Involves planning activities, mentoring campers, and fostering spiritual growth; psychology helps in creating supportive environments.
6. Family or Child Advocate
What it is: Working with organizations (sometimes faith-based) that support children in the foster system, adoption, or at-risk situations.
How it fits: Psychology helps in advocacy and understanding trauma; ministry background can support families spiritually.
7. Child Development Specialist (in Faith-Based Settings)
What it is: Advising churches, schools, or organizations on age-appropriate programming and developmental needs.
How it fits: Leverages psychology for best practices; ministry minor helps align programs with Christian values.
8. Missionary Work Focused on Children
What it is: Serving children’s needs internationally or domestically through missions—teaching, orphan care, health education, etc.
How it fits: Psychology helps address emotional and developmental needs; ministry is central to the mission.
Tips for Exploring These Paths
Volunteer or Intern: Try out roles in churches, camps, hospitals, or nonprofits to see what you enjoy.
Network: Connect with professionals in these fields for informational interviews.
Consider Further Education: Some roles may require additional certifications (e.g., teaching, child life specialist).
Highlight Your Unique Combination: Your psychology and ministry background is valuable—emphasize this blend in applications and interviews.
Enjoy the journey!! You'll be able to find ways to make the world a better place in whatever corner you choose to pursue.
Here are some options to consider:
1. Child Life Specialist
What it is: Child life specialists work in hospitals to help children and families cope with medical procedures, hospitalization, and trauma.
How it fits: Uses psychology to support children emotionally and developmentally; opportunities to provide spiritual support in faith-based hospitals.
2. Youth Ministry Director or Children’s Pastor
What it is: Leads programs for children and youth in churches, planning activities, teaching, and providing mentorship.
How it fits: Combines ministry with child development knowledge; psychology helps in understanding and supporting young people's needs.
3. Nonprofit Work with Children
What it is: Many faith-based and secular nonprofits focus on children’s welfare, education, or advocacy (e.g., after-school programs, foster care agencies, international missions).
How it fits: Roles may include program coordination, outreach, or education, where psychology helps in designing effective programs and understanding child behavior.
4. Christian School Teacher or Administrator
What it is: Teaching or administrative roles in Christian schools, especially in early childhood or elementary education.
How it fits: Psychology background aids in classroom management and understanding learning differences; ministry minor supports integration of faith.
5. Camp Director or Program Staff (Faith-Based Camps)
What it is: Organizing and leading children’s camps, especially those with a Christian focus.
How it fits: Involves planning activities, mentoring campers, and fostering spiritual growth; psychology helps in creating supportive environments.
6. Family or Child Advocate
What it is: Working with organizations (sometimes faith-based) that support children in the foster system, adoption, or at-risk situations.
How it fits: Psychology helps in advocacy and understanding trauma; ministry background can support families spiritually.
7. Child Development Specialist (in Faith-Based Settings)
What it is: Advising churches, schools, or organizations on age-appropriate programming and developmental needs.
How it fits: Leverages psychology for best practices; ministry minor helps align programs with Christian values.
8. Missionary Work Focused on Children
What it is: Serving children’s needs internationally or domestically through missions—teaching, orphan care, health education, etc.
How it fits: Psychology helps address emotional and developmental needs; ministry is central to the mission.
Tips for Exploring These Paths
Volunteer or Intern: Try out roles in churches, camps, hospitals, or nonprofits to see what you enjoy.
Network: Connect with professionals in these fields for informational interviews.
Consider Further Education: Some roles may require additional certifications (e.g., teaching, child life specialist).
Highlight Your Unique Combination: Your psychology and ministry background is valuable—emphasize this blend in applications and interviews.
Enjoy the journey!! You'll be able to find ways to make the world a better place in whatever corner you choose to pursue.
Jeremy Sapia
Employee Experience
3
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
Jeremy’s Answer
Emma, you can find many ways to use your interests and skills to help others in your career.
Research: Developmental psychologists are very interested in how our minds grow and change over time. There are labs that focus on studying babies, kids, and teens. If this research matches what you like and are curious about, reach out to the professors or students involved. This could help you stand out and cultivate your interest in graduate school.
Social Work: Social workers do more than just one-on-one or group counseling. They can work in various organizations.
Teaching: There will always be a need for teachers in subjects like literature, social studies, and even religion if you're at a private school.
Research: Developmental psychologists are very interested in how our minds grow and change over time. There are labs that focus on studying babies, kids, and teens. If this research matches what you like and are curious about, reach out to the professors or students involved. This could help you stand out and cultivate your interest in graduate school.
Social Work: Social workers do more than just one-on-one or group counseling. They can work in various organizations.
Teaching: There will always be a need for teachers in subjects like literature, social studies, and even religion if you're at a private school.
Kim Larson
Human Resources
5
Answers
Omaha, Nebraska
Updated
Kim’s Answer
That’s such a great combination of interests—and there are definitely meaningful career paths that blend psychology, working with children, and ministry without going the counseling route.
A few ideas that come to mind include:
Non-profit work – Many nonprofits focus on supporting children and families, and your background in psychology and ministry could be a great asset. Roles might involve program coordination, volunteer management, or family outreach. Depending on the organization, you could work directly with kids or support the teams who do.
Children’s ministry – Working in a church setting is a great way to stay connected to both ministry and kids. My spouse actually does this! His role involves a lot of planning, coordinating volunteers, preparing for Sunday services, and organizing events for kids and families. It’s a rewarding path that blends faith, leadership, and impact.
Foster care or child welfare – While I’m not as familiar with all the specific roles in the foster care system, I know there’s a big need. This area would definitely allow you to work closely with children and use your psychology background to support their development and well-being.
There are also adjacent paths like working in education support roles, after-school programming, or family advocacy. You have a lot of meaningful options—and the good news is, you don’t have to figure it all out right now. Let your interests guide your experiences, and you’ll keep uncovering new possibilities along the way.
A few ideas that come to mind include:
Non-profit work – Many nonprofits focus on supporting children and families, and your background in psychology and ministry could be a great asset. Roles might involve program coordination, volunteer management, or family outreach. Depending on the organization, you could work directly with kids or support the teams who do.
Children’s ministry – Working in a church setting is a great way to stay connected to both ministry and kids. My spouse actually does this! His role involves a lot of planning, coordinating volunteers, preparing for Sunday services, and organizing events for kids and families. It’s a rewarding path that blends faith, leadership, and impact.
Foster care or child welfare – While I’m not as familiar with all the specific roles in the foster care system, I know there’s a big need. This area would definitely allow you to work closely with children and use your psychology background to support their development and well-being.
There are also adjacent paths like working in education support roles, after-school programming, or family advocacy. You have a lot of meaningful options—and the good news is, you don’t have to figure it all out right now. Let your interests guide your experiences, and you’ll keep uncovering new possibilities along the way.