Careers and Internships
Internships
Internships and field studies are an essential part of the preparation for your career. By participating in an internship or field study, you apply the theory and knowledge you have learned in the classroom through hands-on experience in a professional setting. While working under the guidance of an experienced professional, you get a unique opportunity to learn about yourself, your clients, your organizations, and your environment. Site supervisors act as role models, providing direction so that you can both observe and participate in the work of the organization. Faculty supervisors assure that your internship or field study is beneficial both to you and to your community partners and will build conceptual and practical skills necessary for successful future public service. They also facilitate reflection activities that help you make meaning from your experience.
“My field study with the Smithsonian helped me apply the lessons from my coursework to the real world and better understand my chosen field. The connections that I made are already helping me get a foot in the door as I enter the workforce, while the experience has made me more confident in my career goals.” Melissa Velez Nazario, Class of 2020
Religion and Culture Internships and Field Studies Resources
Students who wish to earn credit for the experience should enroll in APS / HUM / RLCL 4964: Field Study. Eligibility, requirements, responsibilities, and grounds for assessment are discussed in detail in the Field Study Guidelines above.
Questions about a field study with RLCL? Contact Ben Wiley.
Careers
We focus on the ways religion works in human lives around the globe and investigate how factors such as geographical region, multicultural settings, and popular culture shape communities and traditions. Graduates of our programs are employed in research, non-profits, and journalism.
The Department of Religion & Culture prepares students to think critically, communicate clearly, and investigate the complexities of human relationships and global citizenship. Our graduates work in nonprofit organizations, civil service, and the private sector, doing everything from pastoral care to media design; they also go on to pursue a range of graduate studies.
Career and Professional Development at Virginia Tech offers a variety of services including career exploration, job searching, resume analysis, and interview training.
- More information is available at the Career and Professional Development homepage.
- More information about the office's advising services is available here.
- A calendar of the office's events is available here.
Other career-related resources include:
- To schedule an appointment with the Career and Professional Advisor from the College of Liberal Arts and Human Science, click here.
- Career Exploration Tools: Explains the process of selecting and exploring a career.
- Career Fairs: Lists the current career fairs on campus and in the region.
- Handshake: Enables Virginia Tech students and alumni to network for career planning and job search assistance.
- 4 Year Guide to Building Your Resume
See Where Our Alumni Are Working
Alienworx Productions · Ankura · English Meadow Senior Living Communities · Freddie Mac · Hope Academy ·
Massachusetts Institute of Technology · MITRE · Morningside Presbyterian Church · Mutual Assurance Society of Virginia ·
Peace Corps · Perspecta · South Carolina Public Employee Benefit Authority · Strategic Insight Ltd. · The Carlyle Group · US Senate · United States Navy · Vector Security