Anyone Majored in Philosophy?

[QueHuong]

How did that work out for you?

Did the skills you developed from that course of study a direct reason for your awesome, high paying job?

Or are you receiving food stamps, but are happy in spirit?



My SO wants to switch to philosophy; my personal opinion is that while I respect the field, the choices for her when she graduates will be limited. We both agree on this as it pertains to a bachelor's degree, but she says she doesn't plan on stopping at a bachelor's. Maybe there's a high demand for philosophers with master's or doctorate, I don't know. Maybe she can teach, or do a grad study in law or politics, or whatever. But, after probing more about her plans after her graduation, her response is, "it'll work itself out. I improvise pretty well."

So...philosophy majors, how did your degree work out for you?

 

[saymyname]

Good friend of mine was getting a BA in Philosphy, switched to History and I think got a minor in Philosophy. Now he's working on a Masters in Anthropology.

He's destined to be unemployed. He's happy as far as I can tell though.

I tried taking Philosophy three times.

1. Fell asleep on the first day of class along with 2 or 3 of my friends. Tried my damndest to stay awake the second class. Was the last one to fall asleep. Third class realized it was hopeless and dropped the stupid class.
2. Same thing.
3. Was told I would be reading 10,000 pages. Didn't bother me. Actually was trying to enjoy the class and was actively participating no matter how stupid the class was. Apparently the class wasn't boring enough for people though so everyone but me dropped out and they cancelled the class.

Seriously, if you want to take some great advice to heart.....

Pick what you love and have passion for to be your hobby. If you have two, great, pick the one that will put food on your table to be your career. Otherwise pick what you're good at and can feed you to be your career.

Have you ever heard of someone having a job as a philosopher? There is no such thing.

 

[amol]

I know someone who majored in Philosophy and is going to law school (Berkeley, I think) in the fall.

Then again, they triple majored, along with Statistics and Economics. But Philosophy was their "main major"

 

[fitzov]

There is not a high demand for PhDs in Philosophy. The market is flooded with them. Moreover, you will find it very difficult to find a real job other than being a professor, and it is very competitive. I would say that if you like philosophy get an intro book on logic, and one on ethics, and one on history of philosophy. That should keep you busy.

 

[Googer]

The best part about Philosopy is that you can never give the wrong answer.

 

[PrinceofWands]

I guess I'd say quit judging things by their employability and economic status. Jobs aren't important in life, they're what get in the way of what's important in life. If your SO believes that and you don't, one of you needs to say goodbye because it's never going to work.

I love philosophy, but I'm saving that for my PhD. What do I plan on doing with it? Absolutely nothing. Oh, I'd take a professor position if I found one, but it's not the goal. There are MANY more reasons to go to school other than employment. In fact, I'd say if you're only going to school for a job then you're wasting EVERYONE's time and money. Many of the most successful and richest people in the world have no degrees. The only thing a job degree will do is let you work for someone else for the rest of your life.

kk, sorry, /rant.

 

[FallenHero]

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands
I guess I'd say quit judging things by their employability and economic status. Jobs aren't important in life, they're what get in the way of what's important in life. If your SO believes that and you don't, one of you needs to say goodbye because it's never going to work.

I love philosophy, but I'm saving that for my PhD. What do I plan on doing with it? Absolutely nothing. Oh, I'd take a professor position if I found one, but it's not the goal. There are MANY more reasons to go to school other than employment. In fact, I'd say if you're only going to school for a job then you're wasting EVERYONE's time and money. Many of the most successful and richest people in the world have no degrees. The only thing a job degree will do is let you work for someone else for the rest of your life.

kk, sorry, /rant.

You let your SO follow this persons advice about following your heart and not worrying about a job, you WILL be supporting her forever. Not everyone can be the richest and most successful...many of those people were in the right place at the right time with the right idea...you gonna stake your future on luck? I would hope not...tell your SO to get a degree that will benifit her career, or at least make her employable. You can always get a second degree or keep reading philosophy.

 

[PrinceofWands]

Originally posted by: FallenHero

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands
I guess I'd say quit judging things by their employability and economic status. Jobs aren't important in life, they're what get in the way of what's important in life. If your SO believes that and you don't, one of you needs to say goodbye because it's never going to work.

I love philosophy, but I'm saving that for my PhD. What do I plan on doing with it? Absolutely nothing. Oh, I'd take a professor position if I found one, but it's not the goal. There are MANY more reasons to go to school other than employment. In fact, I'd say if you're only going to school for a job then you're wasting EVERYONE's time and money. Many of the most successful and richest people in the world have no degrees. The only thing a job degree will do is let you work for someone else for the rest of your life.

kk, sorry, /rant.

You let your SO follow this persons advice about following your heart and not worrying about a job, you WILL be supporting her forever. Not everyone can be the richest and most successful...many of those people were in the right place at the right time with the right idea...you gonna stake your future on luck? I would hope not...tell your SO to get a degree that will benifit her career, or at least make her employable. You can always get a second degree or keep reading philosophy.

Way to generalize. You do realize that all I have to do is point out one person who lives that way that is self-sufficient and I've defeated your claim, right? Not everyone has the same beliefs, ideals, and values. How about accepting that people are different and let them live their lives the way they want? *shrug* I know we have very different views, so it's not really worth much of an argument other than initially pointing out the egocentrism and weakness of your post.

 

[FallenHero]

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands

Originally posted by: FallenHero

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands
I guess I'd say quit judging things by their employability and economic status. Jobs aren't important in life, they're what get in the way of what's important in life. If your SO believes that and you don't, one of you needs to say goodbye because it's never going to work.

I love philosophy, but I'm saving that for my PhD. What do I plan on doing with it? Absolutely nothing. Oh, I'd take a professor position if I found one, but it's not the goal. There are MANY more reasons to go to school other than employment. In fact, I'd say if you're only going to school for a job then you're wasting EVERYONE's time and money. Many of the most successful and richest people in the world have no degrees. The only thing a job degree will do is let you work for someone else for the rest of your life.

kk, sorry, /rant.

You let your SO follow this persons advice about following your heart and not worrying about a job, you WILL be supporting her forever. Not everyone can be the richest and most successful...many of those people were in the right place at the right time with the right idea...you gonna stake your future on luck? I would hope not...tell your SO to get a degree that will benifit her career, or at least make her employable. You can always get a second degree or keep reading philosophy.

Way to generalize. You do realize that all I have to do is point out one person who lives that way that is self-sufficient and I've defeated your claim, right? Not everyone has the same beliefs, ideals, and values. How about accepting that people are different and let them live their lives the way they want? *shrug* I know we have very different views, so it's not really worth much of an argument other than initially pointing out the egocentrism and weakness of your post.

I valur having a degree that is actually useful...and after watching a couple of my friends get worthless degrees in woodworking and the likes of that, then struggling to figure out what the hell kind of job they can get with that, I am more inclined to suggest degrees which businesses look for rather than enjoyments of life. You want to be schooled in soemthing you enjoy? Fine...take it as a minor. Do not get an entire degree in it...there are more people out there with employable degrees which are actually employed than those with the "enjoyment" degrees (assuming they arent the same thing of course. If they are, more power to you.) What I am suggesting is more than likely, better for the long term. You go ahead and get your "enjoyment" degree there, I'll be laughing all the way to the bank.

 

[PrinceofWands]

Originally posted by: FallenHero

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands

Originally posted by: FallenHero

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands
I guess I'd say quit judging things by their employability and economic status. Jobs aren't important in life, they're what get in the way of what's important in life. If your SO believes that and you don't, one of you needs to say goodbye because it's never going to work.

I love philosophy, but I'm saving that for my PhD. What do I plan on doing with it? Absolutely nothing. Oh, I'd take a professor position if I found one, but it's not the goal. There are MANY more reasons to go to school other than employment. In fact, I'd say if you're only going to school for a job then you're wasting EVERYONE's time and money. Many of the most successful and richest people in the world have no degrees. The only thing a job degree will do is let you work for someone else for the rest of your life.

kk, sorry, /rant.

You let your SO follow this persons advice about following your heart and not worrying about a job, you WILL be supporting her forever. Not everyone can be the richest and most successful...many of those people were in the right place at the right time with the right idea...you gonna stake your future on luck? I would hope not...tell your SO to get a degree that will benifit her career, or at least make her employable. You can always get a second degree or keep reading philosophy.

Way to generalize. You do realize that all I have to do is point out one person who lives that way that is self-sufficient and I've defeated your claim, right? Not everyone has the same beliefs, ideals, and values. How about accepting that people are different and let them live their lives the way they want? *shrug* I know we have very different views, so it's not really worth much of an argument other than initially pointing out the egocentrism and weakness of your post.

I valur having a degree that is actually useful...and after watching a couple of my friends get worthless degrees in woodworking and the likes of that, then struggling to figure out what the hell kind of job they can get with that, I am more inclined to suggest degrees which businesses look for rather than enjoyments of life. You want to be schooled in soemthing you enjoy? Fine...take it as a minor. Do not get an entire degree in it...there are more people out there with employable degrees which are actually employed than those with the "enjoyment" degrees (assuming they arent the same thing of course. If they are, more power to you.) What I am suggesting is more than likely, better for the long term. You go ahead and get your "enjoyment" degree there, I'll be laughing all the way to the bank.

*shakes head* You really REALLY don't get it. I understand what you're suggesting, but I'm trying to explain to you that you have an opinion, and not a 'rightness'. Not everyone judges things by the same standards as you. You say you'll be laughing to the bank, but you're not beating me at anything. You care about money. I don't. AT ALL. Not even a teensy little bit. That being said I always manage to make more than I need to live. I'll be as happy, if not happier, than you will be, without trying to get a certain job or some set level of income. We are DIFFERENT. We believe different things, we need and want different things. Others are different also. That's what I've been driving at this whole time, is that people need to stop assuming others believe the same things that they themselves do. For some people jobs and income are totally meaningless, and to suggest to those people that getting a job or money will make them happy is totally wrong. You need to accept those differences.

 

[rocadelpunk]

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands

Originally posted by: FallenHero

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands

Originally posted by: FallenHero

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands
I guess I'd say quit judging things by their employability and economic status. Jobs aren't important in life, they're what get in the way of what's important in life. If your SO believes that and you don't, one of you needs to say goodbye because it's never going to work.

I love philosophy, but I'm saving that for my PhD. What do I plan on doing with it? Absolutely nothing. Oh, I'd take a professor position if I found one, but it's not the goal. There are MANY more reasons to go to school other than employment. In fact, I'd say if you're only going to school for a job then you're wasting EVERYONE's time and money. Many of the most successful and richest people in the world have no degrees. The only thing a job degree will do is let you work for someone else for the rest of your life.

kk, sorry, /rant.

You let your SO follow this persons advice about following your heart and not worrying about a job, you WILL be supporting her forever. Not everyone can be the richest and most successful...many of those people were in the right place at the right time with the right idea...you gonna stake your future on luck? I would hope not...tell your SO to get a degree that will benifit her career, or at least make her employable. You can always get a second degree or keep reading philosophy.

Way to generalize. You do realize that all I have to do is point out one person who lives that way that is self-sufficient and I've defeated your claim, right? Not everyone has the same beliefs, ideals, and values. How about accepting that people are different and let them live their lives the way they want? *shrug* I know we have very different views, so it's not really worth much of an argument other than initially pointing out the egocentrism and weakness of your post.

I valur having a degree that is actually useful...and after watching a couple of my friends get worthless degrees in woodworking and the likes of that, then struggling to figure out what the hell kind of job they can get with that, I am more inclined to suggest degrees which businesses look for rather than enjoyments of life. You want to be schooled in soemthing you enjoy? Fine...take it as a minor. Do not get an entire degree in it...there are more people out there with employable degrees which are actually employed than those with the "enjoyment" degrees (assuming they arent the same thing of course. If they are, more power to you.) What I am suggesting is more than likely, better for the long term. You go ahead and get your "enjoyment" degree there, I'll be laughing all the way to the bank.

*shakes head* You really REALLY don't get it. I understand what you're suggesting, but I'm trying to explain to you that you have an opinion, and not a 'rightness'. Not everyone judges things by the same standards as you. You say you'll be laughing to the bank, but you're not beating me at anything. You care about money. I don't. AT ALL. Not even a teensy little bit. That being said I always manage to make more than I need to live. I'll be as happy, if not happier, than you will be, without trying to get a certain job or some set level of income. We are DIFFERENT. We believe different things, we need and want different things. Others are different also. That's what I've been driving at this whole time, is that people need to stop assuming others believe the same things that they themselves do. For some people jobs and income are totally meaningless, and to suggest to those people that getting a job or money will make them happy is totally wrong. You need to accept those differences.

give it a few years : P
I can relate though, I was through my junior year of electrical engineering...realized that no way in hell did I want to spend my life in a cubicle or on a computer...and instead of dreaming about retiring into teaching oneday, I switched into math major (which I love love love) and in a year or two will be going for my masters in education : ).

yay motivated highschool math teachers.

---

as for the op...law school or professor or unemployment are the usual routes.

 

[gotsmack]

major means NOTHING! unless it is a few very select majors such as engineering or math.

My friend majored in Biology andnow he works in Logistics for a very large shipping company controling extra containers on ships.

I got my masters in business strategy and now I'm in logistics controling spare parts for various eletronic equiptment, along with other people, some of whom have degrees in english, biology, math, and chemistry.

 

[The Batt?sai]

Originally posted by: QueHuong
How did that work out for you?

Did the skills you developed from that course of study a direct reason for your awesome, high paying job?

Or are you receiving food stamps, but are happy in spirit?



My SO wants to switch to philosophy; my personal opinion is that while I respect the field, the choices for her when she graduates will be limited. We both agree on this as it pertains to a bachelor's degree, but she says she doesn't plan on stopping at a bachelor's. Maybe there's a high demand for philosophers with master's or doctorate, I don't know. Maybe she can teach, or do a grad study in law or politics, or whatever. But, after probing more about her plans after her graduation, her response is, "it'll work itself out. I improvise pretty well."

So...philosophy majors, how did your degree work out for you?

food stamps but happy in spirit? LOL

I minored in philosophy

 

[Mursilis]

Originally posted by: rocadelpunk
as for the op...law school or professor or unemployment are the usual routes.

What he said. I minored in philosophy, and majored in sociology (talk about a worthless degree, employment-wise). That combination saved me from meaningful employment right out of school; luckily, law school FTW.

 

[homestarmy]

If she wants to switch to philosophy, she wants you to support her for the rest of her life.

 

[homestarmy]

Originally posted by: Googer
The best part about Philosopy is that you can never give the wrong answer.

Yeah, with the way companies love to stay unaccountable, you'd think they'd be hiring philosophy majors by the droves.

 

[The Batt?sai]

Originally posted by: homestarmy

Originally posted by: Googer
The best part about Philosopy is that you can never give the wrong answer.

Yeah, with the way companies love to stay unaccountable, you'd think they'd be hiring philosophy majors by the droves.

lmao :laugh:

 

[homestarmy]

Originally posted by: gotsmack
major means NOTHING!

Tell them that in a job interview, or when you cannot even get an interview because you do not meet their requirements.

Ignorant statement of the day!

 

[The Batt?sai]

Originally posted by: homestarmy

Originally posted by: gotsmack
major means NOTHING!

Tell them that in a job interview, or when you cannot even get an interview because you do not meet their requirements.

Ignorant statement of the day!

but does it work?

 

[homestarmy]

BTW, years ago in my undergrad, a Fin Aid worker made a mistake, lied about it, and screwed me out of $4k. I blew up and cussed them out in front of a lot of students.

Somehow, my punishment ended up being not anger management... but a philosophy course (something usually for cheaters etc).

And let me say, worst punishment ever.

 

[The Batt?sai]

Originally posted by: homestarmy
BTW, years ago in my undergrad, a Fin Aid worker made a mistake, lied about it, and screwed me out of $4k. I blew up and cussed them out in front of a lot of students.

Somehow, my punishment ended up being not anger management... but a philosophy course (something usually for cheaters etc).

And let me say, worst punishment ever.

i would have sued ftw!

 

[Slappy00]

major means NOTHING!

In certian jobs it does not becase the skillset they are looking for comprises of "soft skills" like dependablity, hard work, and ethics which can be obtained in any major. Like the aforementioned logistics job, not many people go to school for "logistics" so training on the job is for everyone regardless of degree. Therefore employers don't care who they hire as long as they think they can be trained and are dependable.

Other jobs in the sciences require specific knowledge in order to perform a task, or troubleshoot (along with working with) very expensive and complicated equipment. So employers will expect you can perform certian tasks by default and only really train you on specific peices of equipment or techniques.

 

[gotsmack]

Originally posted by: Slappy00

major means NOTHING!

In certian jobs it does not becase the skillset they are looking for comprises of "soft skills" like dependablity, hard work, and ethics which can be obtained in any major. Like the aforementioned logistics job, not many people go to school for "logistics" so training on the job is for everyone regardless of degree. Therefore employers don't care who they hire as long as they think they can be trained and are dependable.

Other jobs in the sciences require specific knowledge in order to perform a task, or troubleshoot (along with working with) very expensive and complicated equipment. So employers will expect you can perform certian tasks by default and only really train you on specific peices of equipment or techniques.

maybe around where you live that's the case, but I live in the NYC area and most of the stuff here is knowledge work. Such as my friend who went to NorthWestern to major in biology, he works as a consultant for a trading platform. Before that he did a few rounds of interviews at botique management consulting and investment banking firms. He did take a few econ courses though.

I ddfinately understand that there are a few jobs that require a specific major such as engineering, chemistry, and design.

Majoring in philosophy doesn't reduce your job prospects by that much and they are likely to be jobs you never would consider anyway.

My friend that controls containers, his company was thinking of putting him in their pricing/cost analysist department. Before i did logistics I was in contracts.

 

[gotsmack]

Originally posted by: homestarmy

Originally posted by: gotsmack
major means NOTHING!

Tell them that in a job interview, or when you cannot even get an interview because you do not meet their requirements.

Ignorant statement of the day!

I made exclusions for certain job types.

Good job ignoring the entirety of what I wrote and picking whatever you felt like.

I stand by my statements.

The first interview I went for when I was looking for a job was as a Quality Control person in VOIP networks and international telephony for IDT. I didn't accept the position
because we couldn't agree on starting salary. That was more of an it job and i was a business major.

 

[Juno]

Originally posted by: saymyname
Good friend of mine was getting a BA in Philosphy, switched to History and I think got a minor in Philosophy. Now he's working on a Masters in Anthropology.

He's destined to be unemployed. He's happy as far as I can tell though.

I tried taking Philosophy three times.

1. Fell asleep on the first day of class along with 2 or 3 of my friends. Tried my damndest to stay awake the second class. Was the last one to fall asleep. Third class realized it was hopeless and dropped the stupid class.
2. Same thing.
3. Was told I would be reading 10,000 pages. Didn't bother me. Actually was trying to enjoy the class and was actively participating no matter how stupid the class was. Apparently the class wasn't boring enough for people though so everyone but me dropped out and they cancelled the class.

Seriously, if you want to take some great advice to heart.....

Pick what you love and have passion for to be your hobby. If you have two, great, pick the one that will put food on your table to be your career. Otherwise pick what you're good at and can feed you to be your career.

Have you ever heard of someone having a job as a philosopher? There is no such thing.

i took philosophy recently spring and i passed easily. i did read 1,000+ pages from five books altogether. i did fell asleep but wasn't bothered to wake up. i had a friend to sat next to me all the time so she woke me up before the class got dismissed.