Religion at Work
The Hiatt Career Center supports Brandeis undergraduate students and alumni of all spiritual and religious affiliations to consider how intersecting identities might impact work and professional development.
Career Help
Hiatt can help you explore how religious identity and expression intersects with career and work. Some students choose to focus on advocacy or community-building work, such as working for a religious organization. Other students may explore organizations or careers that reflect their religious values. Still others may have questions about religious expression in secular environments. In addition to family, friends, mentors, religious leaders and campus resources, including the Spiritual Life Office, the Hiatt Career Center works with you to:
- Identify strengths and explore options within the world of work.
- Provide support around your professional questions and concerns.
- Direct you to resources.
General Career Resources
Federal law prohibits discrimination based on religion for any employers with at least 15 employees (including private sector, state and local government employers), as well as employment agencies, unions and federal government agencies. All aspects of religious observance, practice and belief include not only traditional, organized religions, such as Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism, but also religious beliefs that are new, uncommon or not part of a formal church or sect.
- U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission: Resources and information on religious discrimination
- Religious Garb and Grooming in the Workplace: Publication by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission answering questions about how federal employment discrimination law applies to religious dress and grooming practices, and what steps employers can take to meet their legal responsibilities in this area.
- Workplace Accommodations for Orthodox Jewish Community
Networking
Religious groups often serve as prolific professional networks that you can tap in to. In addition to the support and network you have through Brandeis, look for resources to help connect you to other students and employees who can act as mentors and guides. Learn more about creating your own network.
- Religiously Affiliated Professional Associations: Consider joining an identity-relevant professional association to help facilitate networking connections and job leads.
Search Resources
- Christian Jobs: Job postings, career tools and company directory for members of the Christian faith
- Christian Career Center: Career coaching, advice, resources and job postings
- Jewish Careers: Job board with both religiously affiliated and secular jobs
- JewishJobs.com: Nonprofit Jewish communal job postings
- JCC Works: Jobs and career opportunities at Jewish Community Centers
- American Muslim Health Professionals
- National Association of Muslim Lawyers
- The Council for the Advancement of Muslim Professionals (CAMP): Multi-city networking and professional association
- WorkHalal: Career-finding resource open to all persons seeking jobs with an Islamic environment
Meet With Us
Make an appointment with us to talk about questions, including:
- Do I share my religious affiliation/preference in the application process?
- Are there particular employment opportunities and internships accessible to students with a specific background?
- How do I present my involvement with religious groups on campus on my resume or interview?
- How can I request time off for religious holidays?
- Can I wear my religious garb to an interview or networking interaction?
- How can I evaluate if a future employer will be receptive to my religious observances?