Philosophy Majors: Unexpectedly Employable

Contrary to popular belief, a philosophy degree may be useful in the job market. An education in philosophy teaches students critical thinking, precise analysis, and cogent writing, skills that essential for any professional career.

Contrary to popular belief, a philosophy degree may be useful in the job market. Granted, engineering, pre-med and pre-law students have a clear-cut path after graduation. However, a philosophy education equips students with “critical thinking, precise analysis and cogent writing” says Christopher Morris, chair of the University of Maryland philosophy department, in an article in the Washington Post.

The article argues that despite societal skepticism, philosophy majors perform better on exams for law, medicine and other graduate schools. They rank in the top 100 of all academic fields for average mid-career salary and share academic interests with the likes of Supreme Court Justice, Stephen G. Breyer, and former CEO of Hewlett Packard and Republican candidate, Carly Fiorina. According to Fiorina, her philosophy degree taught her “how to separate the wheat from the chaff, essential from just interesting,” a skill, she says, that is “particularly critical” now. 

Could this be said of all Liberal Arts majors, or just philosophy? Do students learn particular skills that are unique to philosophy? And could getting a philosophy degree ultimately turn out to be the unexpected key to the job market? 

See the full article here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/for-philosophy-majors-the-question-after-graduation-is-what-next/2017/06/20/aa7fae2a-46f0-11e7-98cd-af64b4fe2dfc_story.html