Photograpy: Getty
:Did you play Mary? Do you work in retail now? No? Hang on… our Nativity Career Predictor is on the blink again…
Forget psychometric testing, your career prospects are apparently all mapped out according to the part you played in your school nativity play. This is according to a study by (rather appropriately) Virgin Money back in 2019, which looked at the earnings of 2,000 people against which parts they had in their nativities as children. Marys were most likely to work in Retail, Angel Gabriels in Healthcare… But a happy work life isn’t all about salary is it? We’ve analysed the information from the Virgin survey and have put it through our Simple Things Nativity Part Career Predictor.
Have a go yourself and see if we got you right, or maybe you’ll find inspiration for a whole new career path ahead! Find the part you played in your nativity play below and see what your career holds! NB If you’re already a shepherd or own an inn, you can probably skip this. .
Mary
Meek and mild, and usually draped in blue robes, Mary may be the most sought-after nativity role, but rarely has many lines. Like we say, meek and mild were her watchwords. Having given her husband-to-be the shocking news that they’re expecting a baby, her main part in proceedings is to sit on a donkey and then look benign, having delivered a Tiny Tears doll. But Mary has an inner strength, and a quiet reverence that would be an asset in many a career.
The survey said: Marys are most likely to work in retail and earn on average £39,000 per annum.
Our Nativity Part Career Predictor said: Marys might have a career in midwifery. We never see much obstetric help happening on stage, so we can only assume stoic Mary gets on with it alone. But children playing Mary also tend to be confident in the limelight as well as well-behaved. No nursery teacher would hand that kind of responsibility to any child likely to pick their nose on stage or use their 15 minutes of fame for nefarious purposes. If you were a Mary we can see you as perhaps heading up a green or ethical organisation; somewhere where you can use your stage presence to do good.
Angel Gabriel
The Angel is another popular part, even though his time on stage is actually fairly short. You get some of the classic lines though: “Be not afraid!” etc. And you probably got a fancy pair of wings and a lovely foil halo too.
The survey said: Angels are most likely to work in marketing and communications and earn on average £40,000 per annum.
Our Nativity Part Career Predictor said: If you played the Angel Gabriel you probably were indeed a great communicator, with a LOUD voice and a love of shiny things. They don’t get shrinking violets to play the Angel of the Lord, after all. We think you might have made a career for yourself in the theatre, or perhaps as an auctioneer. We hope you’re still bringing glad tidings of great joy one way or another.
Inn Keeper
A small but vital part in the proceedings. For without the Inn Keeper there would have been no stable. Nativity Inn Keepers tend to have a bit of a twinkle in their eye. Which of us has not held our breath as the Inn Keeper is asked if there is room at the inn, and half hoped they might go off at a tangent and offer a honeymoon suite, after all?
The survey said: Inn Keepers are most likely to be manual labourers and earn on average £37,000 a year.
Our Nativity Part Career Predictor said: Hospitality is definitely a career path for Inn Keepers, but also in a wider sense; Inn Keepers like to be helpful and kind, and find solutions to problems. Perhaps a troubleshooter or project manager of some sort would suit you? Otherwise work within a charity or organisation such as Citizens’ Advice, where you’re able to use your knowledge and problem-solving skills to help others find their best paths.
Shepherd
If you managed to navigate a crook and an oversized dressing gown on a rickety stage, you’re probably a fairly robust sort of person (when you’re not being sore afraid).
The survey said: Shepherds are most likely to work in IT and earn on average £29,000 a year.
Our Nativity Part Career Predictor said: Careers in animal husbandry aside, those who play shepherds, patiently watching over their flocks and following the star to the stable, uncomplainingly carrying lambs, have lots of transferable skills; they might make good educationalists or be happy working in social care.
Narrator
If you were chosen to be the narrator, you were truly the golden child at your school. Narrators carry a huge weight of responsibility, and must be clearly spoken, charming, well-presented and confident, as well as having a good memory for lines.
The survey said: Narrators are most likely to work in education and earn on average £24,000 a year.
Our Nativity Part Career Predictor said: Narrators are the true star of the show and if that was your Nativity role, you’re probably confident, charismatic and a born leader. You might make a great CEO or find a role in entertainment. Whatever you do, you’ll find a niche for yourself, front and centre, possibly people-facing, and with plenty for you to say and do.
If you;d like to reminisce further over Nativity plays and other Christmas rites of passage, you might enjoy our feature Moments of Magic starting on page 54, which looks at first bikes, carol concerts, taking over the Christmas dinner and getting the train home for Christmas. We’re feeling festive already.
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