What Do You Do with a Religion Degree?
Pluriverse
By Jessica Easter and Gbemi Abon
Haley Tyrell ‘22:
After her graduation from Cal Lutheran last Spring, Haley Tyrell, a biology major and Theology and Christian Leadership minor, began a master’s degree in Bioethics at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
During her last two years of undergraduate work at Cal Lutheran, Tyrell had the opportunity to work as an ER medical scribe and learn about the interdisciplinary field of Bioethics, leading to her current field of study.
“I now have the opportunity to engage and discuss complex ethical issues through applying law, religion, history, and philosophy to healthcare,” she says of her graduate pursuits.
Tyrell has already gained amazing opportunities in her master’s study, including faculty-led research with a future publication, and a direct path to her future plans: a combined MD/JD program leading to a career in both medicine and law.
“I will always be thankful for my four years at Cal Lu and the knowledge and connections it provided me that have led me to be where I am today,” she says.
Jaclyn Holtz ‘22:
Since graduating from Cal Lutheran in Spring 2022, former religion minor Jaclyn Holtz has been working at Higher Vision Church as the Youth and Young Adults’ Administrative Assistant, while pursuing her master’s degree in Ministerial Leadership through Southeastern University.
“Once I finish my master’s, I hope to pursue youth ministry full-time as a youth pastor!” she told Pluriverse.
Holtz believes that religion and theology are in her work every single day. She has the opportunity to encourage youth and young adults in their own walk with God while incorporating what she learned during her time at Cal Lu.
“My religion minor was extremely helpful because it equipped me with practical leadership skills in ministry that I use every single day, and academically I felt extremely prepared going into a seminary program,” she reports.
Her favorite part of graduate school is new opportunities to learn and be challenged from people pursuing ministry all around the world.