jaykoblives

And the irony is, if you're going to college to obtain a degree simply because you think it's going to make you tons of money or if your primary aim in life is to make money, you desperately need an exploration into philosophy.

ilivefree

I'm responding to the initial discussion about usefulness of Philosophy. One career that I didn't see listed in a quick scan is sales.

Business to business sales can be VERY lucrative and they usually don't give a hoot what your degree is in. Just having a degree can qualify you for a higher salary. I know because I left a 10 year sales career to earn a degree because I reached the ceiling of income with out it. However, I did quite well with out and those who had one did far better.

Sales is fun and if you feel great about what you are selling, can be intellectually challenging. I'd suggest looking at intangible companies (i.e. selling consulting or services of some kind). Selling to c-levels and vp-levels is also far more challenging and stimulating. The best and brightest are at that level and I've made some great friends selling to them.

Politico88

As a Philosophy, Politics and Law major at Binghamton University, which combines philosophy, political science and history, I think the skills I gained from philosophy far outweighed any other analytical, reading and writing skills that I learned in the other classes. More than any other major, Philosophy will teach you to construct well reasoned arguments and help you better communicate your thoughts. Two skills that a lot of people have a hard time developing. Any job you get, you need the ability to read, understand and analyze information and be able to write your thoughts. Philosophy will give you those skills in abundance. Plus I think people tend to have a lack of curiosity about themselves. Philosophy will make you curious and force you to question the world around you.

grapico

I agree, I am going to grad school for philosophy. What I willl do? I am not sure, but I expect to come out on the other side much better off as a person.
I've already made money in It, it doesn't excite me or motivate me though. The entire corporate world doesn't either.

Quasimoodo

You said it, jaykoblives!

I graduated in 1990 from a good but obscure college with a degree in philosophy and a minor in econ. Not knowing what I wanted to do, but knowing I didn't want to go to grad school I found myself applying for an entry-level project management job with a large manufacturing company.

The interviewers were professionals who asked tough questions, but it was clear they were fascinated to have an applicant with a degree in philosophy. They wanted to know what kind of person studies philosophy, why they do it, and why such a person would then want to work in manufacturing.

I think the critical question of the interview was the obvious one, "Why did you major in philosophy?" I answered that I didn't think most employers expected to hire someone who knew everything they needed for a job right out of school, but were looking for people who could think critically and communicate effectively, which was what I had learned in my studies. I got the job.

I've had a great career in business, tons of fun, I make good money and travel internationally. Luck played a part at times but I've observed a few constants along the way:

First, after I landed that first job prospective employers cared more about my actual experience than my major; HR managers want to see at least a Bachelors but beyond that field of study is less important unless the job is highly technical.

Second, I saw that same curiousity about philosophy majors in many interviews later on. To get a job you want, distinguishing yourself from the mass of other applicants is half the battle. I am certain that seeing philosophy on my resume landed me interviews I would not otherwise have had, with hiring managers who had more interest in me off the bat than might otherwise have been the case.

Third, my economics minor was probably reassuring to hiring managers as evidence of some level of practicality. Certainly preparation in a quantitative discipline has been very useful working in business & engineering environments.

Finally, my answer about thinking critically and communicating effectively turned out to be absolutely true. I can approach any new situation with a skeptical eye and not be bound by conventional wisdom or "that's how we've always done it". Some of my biggest wins came by doing things that were the exact opposite of conventional wisdom. But you can't just be a rebel (and people resent devil's advocates). If you're going to be unorthodox you must explain very clearly why it's going to work - which is where the effective communication comes in.

My experience is certainly not universal, but at least proves what is possible. If there are sophomores or juniors asking yourselves (or being asked by your parents!) what can I do after school with a major in philosophy? The answer is: anything. There are a lot of rewards to being a practicing philosopher in the "real world". Minor or double-major in something quantitative as insurance, but remember that your prospects of employment & career depend on you much more than a diploma. I wish we'd get more bright young men & women who've studied philosophy in the business world - if we did we could make it a more humane, ethical place.

hiroutu

America's government system is based on a philosopher in the late 1400's. He was in political philosophy, wrote his book, and said this: There should be three government branches each checking each other. Where do you think we got our government? From the brilliance of our Framers? No, from the brilliance of philosophy. Though, that philosopher was hired under a king. Though, philosophy is one of the most important needs of mankind, the post requires us to speak of its practicality, not of its importance; therefore, philosophy by itself is very unpractical to a degree in engineering.

When we say "YES BUT MOST PHILOSOPHY UNDERGRADS GO TO LAW SCHOOL," real philosophers would look at that and say: "Yes, but did they become lawyers because of their philosophy degree, or because they were accepted into law school, and taught, by law school professors?"

chardogdelight

Without grad school, a history major alone is tough to market. But getting some good job and/or internship experience under your belt will prevent potential employers from conjuring up the image of the clueless humanities grad.