What Can You Do with a Philosophy Degree?

Initially, a philosophy degree may not seem like the wisest to pursue. After all, there are few career options available that directly link to those who possess a degree in philosophy. However, the skills acquired during a philosophy program can be massively beneficial for the rest of a graduate’s professional life – not to mention their personal life as well.

A philosophy major explores social, political, and intellectual theories that revolve around human existence and interaction. Studying these areas helps to build the likes of strong communication skills and the ability to solve problems logically.

Yet is philosophy the right degree for you? This guide will explore more about what you can gain from this major, the type of job roles that are presented following graduation, and advice about enrolling at the right college.

Should I earn a philosophy degree?

It’s true: unlike other degrees like IT and marketing, there’s a limited amount of careers that are searching specifically for someone with a philosophy degree. Yet you shouldn’t let this dissuade you from going with this degree option. There’s a reason why the likes of Ricky Gervais, Alex Trebek, and Bruce Lee all studied the subject!

That reason is simple: it supplies you with a wide range of applicable skills that are transferable across all professional sectors. This is achieved by the subjects covered. A philosophy degree involves reading the works of modern and ancient philosophers, exploring timeless questions, and learning about metaphysics and ethics.

In terms of skills gained, one of the biggest is the ability to form persuasive arguments, both written and verbally. The power to understand every angle of an argument is also beneficial, as it provides you with the foundation to evaluate it effectively and provide a balanced response. Other skills include creativity, problem-solving, and information management.

What can I do with a philosophy degree?

Skills like critical thinking and analytical ability are ones that are valued across a range of sectors. They display an aptitude for asking beneficial questions and discovering logical solutions to issues. This means that, if you study the subject, you have the foundation to enter into a diverse range of philosophy careers.

Below is a closer look at some of the more popular routes taken when it comes to jobs with a philosophy degree.

Teaching careers

Due to developing critical thinking skills and excellent communication, a philosophy degree supplies a strong foundation for those who want to teach.

In most countries, however, you cannot simply jump into teaching with a degree. You will need to gain a professional teaching qualification to supplement your philosophy education.

If you want to teach at college or university, junior-level academic positions are notorious for being fiercely competitive. Yet for philosophy graduates, one realistic route into an educational-based career would be a research career within a relevant field.

Journalism careers

Those with the skills gained from a philosophy degree could explore a wide range of journalism roles, including writing, research, editing, and presenting. It can be helpful to earn a postgraduate degree, which specializes in a certain area of journalism, but it’s not essential. To increase your chances of landing a journalism role, however, it’s recommended to at least gain practical work experience and build a journalism portfolio.

Additionally, philosophy graduates can also consider the possibility of working in publishing in a role such as marketing, production, and editing.

Public sector careers

The public sector is known for offering a diverse collection of career roles. After all, they encompass all roles that are state-funded within a country.

So how can a philosophy degree help someone land a job in the public sector? Well, this type of degree can help you to develop a greater understanding of world affairs and complex societal issues. The benefit of analytical abilities can also come in handy for various job roles.

In the public sector, a degree in philosophy could lead to office-based and administrative roles in sectors such as the government, civil services, police forces, and health services.

Law careers

If you want to have a legal career, you study for a law degree. Not necessarily. A philosophy degree, with proven skills in analysis and research, can supply a solid foundation for a role in law.

When searching for the best philosophy salary, a law career could be the best bet. Barristers and solicitors are known for earning a high wage on average. However, these are positions you cannot simply walk into with a philosophy degree, of course. You will either need to complete a law conversion course or develop on-the-job in a paralegal, research, or secretarial-type role.

Taking the next step

You want to study for a philosophy degree. You know what career path to take, along with any additional qualifications you may need. Now there’s another massive life-changing decision you have to make: deciding on which college is best for your needs.

While your main focus will initially be on the philosophy curriculum offered by your prospective colleges, this isn’t the only aspect to consider. In fact, one of the biggest is campus life. You want to study in a place that allows you to grow and prosper as a person.

There’s just one issue: finding out what a college campus is actually like. Those slick college-produced videos might shine a certain light on campus life, but they usually gloss over the details that matter.

That is where CampusReel rectifies the situation.

On CampusReel, you can gain instant access to over 15,000 videos that revolve around colleges across the country. The difference with these videos is they are shot, edited, and published by the people that matter – students. They supply valuable insights and a true reflection of campus life, whether it’s details about extracurricular activities or local food options.

Even better, you can sign up right now for a free account with CampusReel. Start watching hours of content, learn all you need about your prospective colleges, and ultimately make a more informed decision when selecting where to study for your philosophy major.