Can you do anything with a degree in philosophy?

Question

Because I'm having serious self doubts lately. I hate where my life is going and everyone says you should find something you enjoy doing... I thought I enjoyed the health sciences but now that I'm studying to be a lab worker in school I realize that I'm not having fun, I'm not reaching my true potential, and I feel like I'm just wasting time.

Answer 1

A degree in Philosophy qualifies you to teach Philosophy.

Philosophy is the study of thinking, so as a career choice it's a bit of a joke, because when was the last time you paid someone just to think?

Philosophy will help you figure out what you want, though.

For example, happiness is derived from the sense you are fulfilling your purpose. Biologically speaking your purpose is to collect energy (aka money) and reproduce.

See, but you already know this. Because your are looking for a well paying job, and no doubt looking for love as well.

You are unhappy because you have assigned yourself a secondary poorly defined purpose. You feel your job should be about more than just making money, your job should be important in a larger social sense. But you have not connected with what you think is important. So you don't know what to do. So you are unhappy.

(Isn't Philosophy fun?)

Figure out what you think is important. Start doing it.
(Try to avoid the important but non profitable things.)

Answer 2

Philosophy degrees are good in a lot fields. It requires a lot of reading, thinking, and communication skills, often more than what other majors require. A lot of people in law professions, business professions, and political professions have a philosophy degree.

Think of it like this. You get your philosophy degree. You join the peace corps. You spend two years out in Uganda working on replanting trees. Return to America, get a job in the State Department because thats what non-hippies who join the peace corp do, and you work up the later for a few years till they pay you to get a masters in some cultural administrative degree at American University. You smile, you look intelligent when you talk, and do things people think are kind, yet bold, and you'll be driving the BMW in no time.

Answer 3

Anything? If I could do anything I'd theoretically be God, so I'd have to say no, I most certainly do not qualify to do ANYTHING with my degree in philosophy. However, I qualify to do some things well, and others exceedingly poor. I will pass on a kernel of wisdom handed to me by a fellow traveler through the mindless drivel and truly enlightened fumblings of the past:

An old man is standing on a street corner, gaunt and with ragged clothing. Holding a sign over his shoulder that reads, "Master of Philosophy: Will think for food."

"Fun" is overrated by youth. More often than not it simply means, don't challenge me to do anything, give me comfort for free. I'd like a nice gumdrop or sugary sweet please. As Socrates might ask, "What IS fun?"

Learning to do tasks foreign to your experience is difficult. "Fun" for me is in overcoming my personal challenges and completing the tasks I set for myself. Unfortunately, I found out far too late how "fun" that really is and find myself at an increasing age competing with college age...well, kids.

Be cautious of quitting as it more often than not is the same thing as being afraid to face a challenge.

The medical industry has plenty of fields, I'm sure there will be many opportunities for other specialties in your area. You might consider skipping out of lab school and applying for a greater challenge like nursing school instead, apply to be a physician's assistant, go for advanced lab school, or consider being a doctor of medicine instead. Never back down from your challenges even when they are distasteful. More often than not you're picking apart the field by nit picking so you can quit and go back to being plane jane with no career and limited prospects. You owe yourself more than that. Just because the work is monotonous does not mean that you will forever be a cog in the wheel at some placed you go to work. Too often people fret that by taking on some new role they will forever be trapped in it. Trust me when I say that NOTHING stays the same year to year. We only think it does because we close ourselves off to the myriad nuances that do change. Besides, mindless work can be oh so satisfying when you can focus on other pursuits during off hours or consider things even while at work and unchallenged.

If you are serious about entertaining philosophy, you should never do so with any expectation that a degree will afford you respect, comfort, fun or employment. If you are content to expend money on personal inquests then do so. If you are serious about having "fun", then do the work that is necessary to acquire an income that affords luxury.

Good journey.

Answer 4

My best friend in college got her bachelor's in philosophy and went on to get her master's in linguistics (or something like that, it's been many years!) and eventually went to law school also. I'd say you can do many things with your degree, but, as you said yourself, you need to try to figure out what you enjoy doing. Think about hobbies, too, they can steer you in a direction you may not have thought of before.
Best of luck to you, and know that you are not the first person to feel this way! :)

Answer 5

Usually a degree in philosophy is good to either go to law school or teach philosophy. Could also be good if you want to become a philosopher, but there's not a lot of money in that.

Answer 6

A college professor is usually in high demand in local universities, technical and junior colleges as well. Interaction with other people gives you the opportunity to flex your philosophical muscles and share (maybe instill) some knowledge with eager students.

Answer 7

You can throw it off the roof, but really if you're very close to a degree ANY degree, go ahead and finish it. Once you have a degree it's quite easy to get another and another!! But don't stop, it's too hard to get started again!!!