College to Youth Minstry

[mandy2]

Hi all! I have a question about my degree. I am a college student seeking to become a youth minister. I am not attending a Catholic University so I am deciding upon a degree that is not in theology or catechesis. I am considering getting a minor in theology at a Catholic campus, but as for my major I need to decide what will be a fitting degree for a youth minister. Some things I have in mind are:
Communications
Psychology
Sociology
Philosophy

I really just want to major in whatever will best fit this job. I would love any wisdom and advise anyone can share!

 

[EasterJoy]

You might want to go to the office of youth ministry at your diocese for advice, but I’d think your answer depends on what age group you are most interested in serving. High school, middle school, and grade school students have quite different needs; I have heard both high school and middle school programs referred to as “youth groups.”

In addition to your list, I’d also consider some sort of K-12 education program with teaching internships. I would think these are far more applicable than philosophy or sociology degrees. Those degrees are something I’d be more likely to pursue if I wanted to run adult continuing religious education programs, including programs for college-aged people.

As for the Catholic formation, your diocese might also have ideas with regards to summer or evening programs for you on those. Make sure your formation includes opportunities to do things similar to the job you are considering. Also try to find out a ballpark estimate of the typical salary and working hours if you find a typical job as a youth minister in your diocese. You may find that the ability to have a job doing something else will give you more opportunities to be a youth minister AND make a living, since in some places there are a substantial number of parishes that do not have the money to fund a full-time position

 

[pianistclare]

Yes, education would be a good choice, because let me tell you, you’re going to need a “fall-back” job and teachers are always in demand. You won’t ever earn enough to support yourself as a Youth Minister.
People love to decry that they don’t think their Youth Ministry does enough with the kids of the parish, but they essentially are talking about slave labor. The youth minister is always the least paid person, and yet the one that puts in the most hours and does great work with the kids. It’s such a worthwhile and enjoyable thing…that’s why people do it. It’s wonderful to engage the kids in the faith and lead the closer to Christ. It’s also a great time to influence a generation regarding Community service and formation of their conscience. I commend you for making this decision.
It’s a really tough job, because few parents want to help out. They’ll write a check or send in a box of cookies, but they won’t go on retreats, chaperone, or help in classes. You’ve got to build a solid core team of volunteers and create very good, filled with activity lesson plans.
Yes, an education degree, by all means.

In June, I saw a meme that featured a picture of the star of the movie “The Help” and it read
You is Kiind
You is Tired
You is a Youth Minister



God bless you.

 

[agapewolf]

Marketing

 

[EasterJoy]

Marketing

If there are marketing jobs the OP wants. There are many professional skills that would be useful for a youth minister, but the most important skill is to be able to get a day job that supports the youth ministry job, both in terms of bringing in money and in having more or less flexible hours. A lot of youth ministry work takes place outside of school hours, so that is a point in favor of education, but not if the OP does not want to make a living as a teacher, school staff member, or a school administrator.

For instance, Mandy2 might want to train in psychology and tailor her training with the idea of working as a school counselor. That would probably give her hours that would dovetail with youth ministry at a parish, plus a job with benefits that few parishes are big enough to give to their youth ministers, plus professional experience that would be applicable.

 

[agapewolf]

If there are marketing jobs the OP wants. There are many professional skills that would be useful for a youth minister, but the most important skill is to be able to get a day job that supports the youth ministry job, both in terms of bringing in money and in having more or less flexible hours. A lot of youth ministry work takes place outside of school hours, so that is a point in favor of education, but not if the OP does not want to make a living as a teacher, school staff member, or a school administrator.

For instance, Mandy2 might want to train in psychology and tailor her training with the idea of working as a school counselor. That would probably give her hours that would dovetail with youth ministry at a parish, plus a job with benefits that few parishes are big enough to give to their youth ministers, plus professional experience that would be applicable.

There are many many parishes that have full time youth ministers. You are making assumptions that it would be part time.

The OP asked for a fitting degree for youth ministry. Not for a non-related day job.

 

[Lookingforjoy]

I would call your archdiocese and see if someone can advise you. Perhaps counseling?

Also, a teaching degree doesnt always lead to a job. In some places it does, but in my area it’s pretty saturated. So YMMV.