As You Look Toward Your Future

Job Placement

We are keenly aware of your interest in obtaining a job in professional ministry following your preparation at PUC. During Ministry Colloquium sessions and in academic advising, faculty members and others will provide important information to help your search be successful. One central principle is that you should prepare yourself as broadly as possible. A second major, teaching credential, or practical experience each help to make you attractive to a wider "market."

We encourage all students to prepare a professional résumé (See "Some Advice on Building a Résumé" below). Senior theology majors who have been accepted into the ministerial studies program are invited to interview with Conference officials who visit our campus (See "Conference Interviews"). The Education Department offers placement services for those earning teaching credentials.

Some Advice on Building a Résumé

The presentation of a job applicant's qualifications may be called a résumé, a data sheet, a personal profile, or a qualifications summary. This brief history should enable prospective employers to determine quickly whether the applicant is a suitable candidate for an interview.

Since the résumé is your personal sales representative, make sure that it puts you in the best possible light. It should be prepared on the computer and printed on high quality bond paper.

Keep your résumé to two pages if you can. In some cases one page may be all you need, but don't squeeze and condense merely for the sake of brevity.

The résumé should make the most of all your assets. Obviously you will not indulge in self-glorification; but at the same time, don't be modest about the things you have achieved that may attract an employer's interest. If, for example, you graduated with honors, by all means point this out.

Sections and Headings: The sections used in the résumé and the manner in which the information is displayed vary from person to person and according to the requirements of the position applied for. Usually, there are at least six sections.

Sample Résumé

James Doe
999 Lily Lane
Pleasantville, WV 59909
Telephone: (999) 555-1234

Position: Pastoral Internship

EDUCATION

Degree: B.A. (June 2001), Pacific Union College
Major: Theology, with emphasis in pastoral ministry

Pastoral Classes:

Homiletics
Extern Program
Christian Ministry

Other Selected Theology Courses:

Hebrew Prophets
Greek Epistles of Paul
Beginning and Intermediate Greek
Doctrinal Studies
E.G. White & Adventism/Writings of E.G. White

Comments: B+ average in all pastoral courses (on Dean's List past two years). Made A's on all exams and reports; two reports were published in Adventist journals.

EXPERIENCE

June-September, 1998 - Warehouse clerk, Tracy's Discount Store, Randallstown, MD. Filled customer orders, maintained inventory, supervised two part-time helpers.

July 1999-August, 2000 - Religious vice president, Student Association, Pacific Union College. Planned and led out in the spiritual activities of PUC students.

Sept. 2000-June 2001 - Extern pastor, Calistoga SDA Church. Worked with the pastor in visitation programs, preaching, and leading out in other worship activities.

ORGANIZATIONS AND HOBBIES

Organizations: Webster Debating Club; Managing Editor of Scroll (student poetry magazine), 1999-2000; tennis team, 2000-01; Ministerial Club president, 2001.

Hobbies: Building and flying model planes, tennis, writing short stories

PERSONAL DATA: On request

REFERENCES

Dr. Greg A. King, Religion Department, Pacific Union College
Pastor Edward Blue, Senior Pastor, Calistoga SDA Church
Pastor Barry Devine, My home church pastor