Career Opportunities for Philosophy Majors
By nature, Liberal Arts majors make great employees in any field because of their ability to communicate effectively, think critically and solve complex problems. These timeless skills make them attractive to employers in all walks of society. Specifically though, Philosophy majors often pursue careers in:
- Business
- Law
- Information Technology
- Public Administration
- Social Services
- Health Care
- Criminal Justice
- Higher Education
More Information about Careers with a Degree in Philosophy
- "On the Benefits of a Philosophy Major" (Please and Excuses (blog), 9/6/2012)
- "Where the Smart Students Are" (NYTimes, 8/23/10)
- "Best and Worst Jobs 2010" -- Being a philosopher is #11 (Wall Street Journal, 1/5/10)
- "Philosophy is Back in Business" (Bloomberg, 1/12/10)
- "In a New Generation of College Students, Many Opt for the Life of the Mind" (NY Times, 4/6/08)
- "I think, therefore I earn" (Guardian, 11/20/07)
- "Philosophers Find the Degree Pays Off in Life and Work" (NY Times, 12/26/97)
- GRE Scores by Major (Philosophy #1 in Verbal Reasoning and Analytic Writing)
- LSAT Scores by Major (Legal Blog Watch, 9/09). Past surveys here (07-8) and here (94-5, 91-2)
- American Philosophical Association
- World Wide Learn
- Inside Higher Ed
- Careers in Education
- Scholarships in Education
- American Bar Association -- here and here.
"In assessing a prospective law student's educational qualifications, admissions committees generally consider the chosen curriculum, the grades earned, and the reputation of the colleges attended. They also view favorably scholastic honors, awards, and special recognition. Solid grades in courses such as logic, philosophy, and abstract mathematics are generally considered a plus."
"Contrary to popular belief, law schools do not favor political science, criminal justice, and government majors over others. Choose major and elective courses that you will genuinely enjoy, instead of those you were told were required for pre-law students. You are likely to get better grades in a field you find interesting. And even if you don’t, law schools will respect your pursuit of subjects you find challenging. This is especially true if the courses you take are known to be more difficult, such as philosophy, engineering, and science. Also, look for courses that will strengthen the skills you need in law school. Classes that stress research and writing are excellent preparation for law school, as are courses that teach reasoning and analytical skills."