Is it true that those who major in philosophy have a hard time finding a job?

Question

And those who do, usually get low-paying jobs.

people are saying that it is impractical, but others say that it has a lot of job oppurtunities, who's right. And what are my other career options, i don't want to go into teaching or law

Answer 1

I'm a partner in an architecture firm. We just hired a guy who has a philosophy degree. He loves design and graphics, and he basically taught himself enough to break into our profession.

If you get a degree in philosophy, that does not necessarily translate into what you will do as a professional, or how much $$$ you will make.

The amount you make is really based more on how much you love your job. Think about what it is you love to do, and persue that as a profession.

One thing to consider: The people I've come across who have philosophy degrees are generally NOT philosophical themselves. Somehow, I think the scholastic microscope students must saddle themselves with to absorb all of the nuances and terminology prevents them from seeing the "Big Picture."

You must see the big picture in order to be philosophical.

The point I'm making is you need to discern whether or not you have a "LOVE OF PHILOSOPHY" or a "LOVE OF WISDOM."

1. If you love philosophy, then go get that degree and have no regrets.

2. If you love wisdom, however, I would advise you not to get a bachelors degree in philosophy. Maybe after your education you will work in a profession for about a decade. Then, if you still desire it, go back for a Masters of Philosophy.

Answer 2

I have a Master's in Philosophy. I am now a self-employed medical herbalist and philosophical counsellor. Regarding non-casual employment, all the jobs i have done have paid the minimum wage, and before that was introduced in this country, i was paid even less. Other people i know personally with degrees in Philosophy include a TV newsreader, someone who works for a transport pressure group and the Council for the Protection of Rural England, a music journalist, someone who works in the council housing department and a computer programmer and Yoga teacher.

I think the problem is that philosophy graduates as people, rather than due to their subject, are perceived as eccentric and are quite independent, and therefore are not team players. Although the work i have done which counts as a job for an employer who paid me was for the minimum wage, the freelance and casual work i have done giving talks and lectures, teaching, writing articles, translating and taking consultations is much more lucrative, to the extent that although i can't persuade an employer to pay me, I can charge a lot for the freelance and casual work if i can get it. The problem there is one of marketing, because very few people know what philosophical counselling is.

Answer 3

I can't tell you how you'll do but I have a Masters in Philosophy as of May this year and got my bachelors in the same. Here's a list of the jobs I've had and how much I got paid.

First a caveat. I have changed some of the numbers to reflect how much I would have earned had I held the same job in a bigger city. If the income has a * next to it, then it has been adjusted in order to make it all based on the same location (a big city). PT is part time FT is full time.

Sales Associate for Kitchen Store PT: $10/hr
Political Consultant FT: $32k/year
Went back to school to get my MA.
Teaching Assistant FT: $18k/year + tuition
Worked in Bookstore PT: $9/hr*
Ran Starbucks Shop: $32k*
Work for a Bank now: $60k/year (includes bonus)

I don't think that's too bad. I got my MA in 07 and my BA in 03. All of these have been since I graduated in 03 and some (PT mainly) were held at the same time as others.

Answer 4

I had an Ethics professor warn the class "don't try and get a job in philosophy, I got the last one."

A study of Philosophy gives you skills which are not directly saleable (given our current views of labor and employment), but can aid you with a career. Rational evaluation, critical thinking, and creativity can be skills one acquires from a study of Philosophy. These are applicable to almost any job which is not purely physical in nature. In other words, you probably can't get a non-academic job as a philosopher, but being well-acquainted with philosophy can make you better at whatever you do.

As noted, academia is always a career option. This usually involves teaching (which you don't want to go into). However, if you are of a literary bent, you could also try your hand at writing non-fiction - something your philosophy background is directly applicable to. Unfortunately, this is another hard career to break into, or to be successful at. However, we live in a uniquely perplexing historical era, and many people are searching for perspective and viewpoint. If you have skills both as an author and a philosopher, you have a willing audience out there.

If you diversify your studies with related subjects, your prospects become a little better. Studying political science and/or business alongside philosophy might leverage you into a career in politics, or political consulting. Time to brush off Hobbes' "Leviathan"?

In short, unless you know someone with a time machine who can whisk you back to ancient Athens, it is unlikely that you'll find a job as a philosopher, but with a little pre-planning and study you can leverage yourself into a "philosophy-related" career, or use the general mental tools acquired through philosophical studies to enrich almost any professional service/knowledge based occupation these days.

Best of luck!

Answer 5

I would urge you to take a second look at law prospects with a philosophy degree. The legal field is very diverse, there is more to it than you see at a first glace and it's not always about going to law school. Arbitration and negotiation is getting to be huge and will become more so. Human resouces in law is a big area.

Of course Philosophy goes hand in hand with religion so there are many avenues in that area to consider also. \

Just getting the degree, no matter what discipline, is the best idea.

Answer 6

You could be a philosophy professor.

It's mostly impractical. The job opportunities would mostly have to do with education. You could be an editor of philosophy books or something like that.

Answer 7

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Answer 8

nah..its all about getting the piece of paper..and your masters or phd...there are alot of jobs starting around 45 or 50k entry level...meaning you need a university degree...it could even be theater (gasp). You won't be doing much philosophizing though. All you need to get a decent job is a degree and some ambition.

Answer 9

Study of Philosophy should not be aimed at earning money through the acquired knowledge....... it is meant for higher objectives.

Answer 10

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