Best industries to work in for Catholics

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I’m still in the process of figuring out which industry to work in post school. I know I’m supposed to have this figured out at the time of application, but I guess goals change. Anyway, I’m trying to find an industry that best aligns with Catholic teachings (making the world a better place, etc.) while still giving me good career opportunities.

Originally, I was thinking of going into consulting, but the hours and travels looked too prohibitive. I also wanted to go into cleantech, energy, sustainability, etc. I’m not too familiar with cleantech, as I’ve been working in software/engineering. I’ve always been interested in energy, and companies like Exxon, Chevron, Shell, etc. offer great career opportunities, but I’m ambivalent about how this plays into effects on the environment, etc. I could always go back to high-tech, but I’m really looking to do something new, making a bigger impact on the world. I know it probably sounds a little idealistics/lofty, but it’s what I want to do. I should also mention that I’m looking at business functions, so being a doctor, lawyer, etc., is out of the question for me.

I probably should be asking the school career offices these questions, but I wanted to get a Catholic take on this first. Would it necessarily be a bad thing if I worked for a big oil company or a company like Halliburton?

Thank you in advance.
 
I think there are 2 approaches to your question. One is looking at the ethics of the overall company or industry you choose. The other is focusing down to your individual contribution and ethics within whatever company you work for.

Sometimes practical issues such as which company is hiring in your area has to take first place if you are raising a family.
 
I worked as an intern for Chevron during college. It is a fantastic company, I would love to work for them. The people that work there aren’t always very moral/ ethical (obviously), but the company itself is wonderful.
 
I used to work in software for a government (military) contractor, and the unscrupulousness that surrounded me was one of the reasons I got out. I imagine that it is similar in most industries - you’re ultimately trying to produce profit at the expense of pretty much everything else. It’s not a bad idea to specifically look for something more socially conscious, but I think you’ll have more success looking for good employers rather than good industries.

I would suggest looking into working for non-profit groups. You might be able to find a specific Catholic (or a more general Christian) ministry that could use your skills. You’re likely to make less money, but as you said, you’ll probably be a lot happier with your impact on the world.
 
First off, OP, most people change careers several times over the course of a lifetime. If your education was a true education, and not a narrow training, you’ll be prepared to do something other than one narrow job. Don’t concern yourself that you aren’t all set to do what you planned to do two years ago.

In addition to suggestions already made, you might talk to some Catholics who are in the industries in which you are interested. How to do this? Ask the people who volunteer at your parish. They’ll probably know somebody who knows somebody who knows somebody. You might also ask the professors in your major. There are a lot of Catholics in the world, but you might be astonished how many Catholics there are in the professional fields, and very-well-regarded Catholics, at that.

Also, consider looking at the companies and industrial sectors chosen by Catholic mutual funds such as Ave Maria Mutual Funds. They’ve spent a lot of time looking into particular companies with regards to their adherence to Catholic teaching. That could be helpful information. I wouldn’t be surprised if those who run the fund would be willing to discuss your problem with you directly, for that matter, or that they might be able to direct you to some Catholics who could help you. You never know.

This is going to sound a little odd, but you might also visit a meeting of your local Serra Club. (Not Sierra Club. Serra Club. As in Junipero Serra). Now a major network of laypeople encouraging vocations and supporting those in the priesthood and religious life, it started as a group of Catholics discussing how to live out their faith in their professional lives: serraus.org/serra_usa/serra_si_usa.htm. Although many of the members in our local club are retired or nearly retired, I think they could tell you a great deal about how to fit your faith into your professional career.

Good luck, and good for you in your quest to serve God in every facet of your life.
 
Thank you for the replies. Does anyone know if there’s a list somewhere of business executives who are practicing Catholics?
 
One way to look at this is that as long as you are not in an industry that is morally wrong (porn, etc), you can make an impact anywhere you go.

We need strong Christians in every industry at every level.
 
PaulinVA said:
One way to look at this is that as long as you are not in an industry that is morally wrong (porn, etc), you can make an impact anywhere you go.

We need strong Christians in every industry at every level.
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👍
 
BadTurkey said:
Thank you for the replies. Does anyone know if there’s a list somewhere of business executives who are practicing Catholics?
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There are 68 million Catholics in the US, and it is a bit difficult to define “practicing” in such a way as to assemble the list you want. I think you’ll do better by finding Catholic people answering the universal call to holiness, and work backwards. Find some very good practicing Catholics, and ask them if they are in business themselves or if they know any good Catholic business executives. Look in places in the Church’s charitable work for places where a business background is an asset the Church needs to do her work.

Besides finding out who is on your parish council (especially the finance council, if that is separate), I’d try the chapters of the local Knights of Columbus and St. Vincent de Paul society. Do not be discouraged if the ones you see look retired; the idea is to find someone who knows someone. Looking at the boards of directors of local Catholic high schools, colleges, non-profits, and hospitals could be helpful. As I mentioned, you can also try Serra Club. If you are near your own college campus, where you would know faculty if you saw them, go to the Newman Center for Mass and look around for faculty members in attendance, and ask them. Other possibilities are local seminaries and monasteries. These also need money, and in an ideal world local Catholic business leaders are the ones that help them to raise it.

I think you’re going to find that it is much less the industry you choose–there are industries that serve no widely-beneficial purpose, but not that many–but how you go about navigating your career in the industry you choose. I think you will find many people willing to tell you what they wish they had learned when they were far younger.

Good luck!
 
BadTurkey said:
I probably should be asking the school career offices these questions, but I wanted to get a Catholic take on this first. Would it necessarily be a bad thing if I worked for a big oil company or a company like Halliburton?

Thank you in advance.
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think how much recent history in the gulf would be different with some ethical Christians in charge at a certain oil company
 
Obviously, pray. But on that note, be careful of what you pray for. I was laid-off from a marketing job and I ended up working at a Catholic Parish.

In this economy, find a job that you will be good at and enjoy. As you ease into that industry you will be able to find Catholic companies and business leaders. Also remember that all business need IT help - even the Church. Send resumes to large parishes and to diocesan offices. The church loves hiring young people because they are not as expensive as older people.

Good luck!
 
I’d second that it’s not necessarily the industry as much as it is the specific employer.

If you’re concerned about ethics, it’s been my experience that smaller, more local companies do better in this regard. Start-ups, non-profits, etc. You’ll make less money, but it’ll probably be worth it.
 
Ditto to what Moscatti said, but probably working for NBC or CNN in the news room would be one of the tougher jobs to cope with due to the lack of practicing faithful. On the other hand, that is where you could learn the most and have the biggest impact on those who need a little guidance in their lives. My company has a faithful Catholic as the CEO/President and is a wonderful man that gives and gives and gives. He expects the same from his employees. Good luck on your journey.
 
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