WHAT CAN I DO WITH A MAJOR IN...

PHILOSOPHYwww.sc.edu/career

phi·los·o·phy

1. Love and pursuit of wisdom by intellectual means and moral self-discipline.

2. Investigation of the nature, causes, or principles of reality, knowledge, or values, based on logical reasoning rather than empirical methods.

3. A system of thought based on or involving such inquiry.

4. The critical analysis of fundamental assumptions or beliefs. *

*"philosophy." The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. 05 Aug. 2009. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/philosophy>.

Philosophy Majors

• how to see from multiple points of view• taking different viewpoints into consideration in

decision making • recognizing patterns and errors of logic• using library and primary resources to find answers to

complex questions• how to communicate thought and expression through

speech and writing• disciplined reflection about our world; ourselves, the

good life, our politics and ethics• social and political philosophy

...and more

Philosophy Majors Study

• Develop intellectual abilities for a wide variety of careers, as well as life as a whole:– The appetite for self-expression and examination.– The capacity for the exchange and debate of

fundamental beliefs and controversial ideas.– The ability and capacity to express difficult ideas

clearly The willingness to deal with problems without easy answers.

– The ability and capacity to pursue difficult research.

Philosophy At The University Of South

CarolinaUndergraduate Options

Degrees: Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Majors: Philosophy

Minors: Philosophy

Students are provided a solid grounding in the history ofphilosophy and take classes to develop an emphasis inseveral areas including ethics, history and philosophy ofscience and technology, philosophy of mind, aesthetics,phenomenology and existentialism and, indeed, the history of philosophy.

Philosophy At The University Of South

CarolinaGraduate DegreesMaster of Philosophy (MA)Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D)

Students in both programs are provided with a substantial grounding in the history of philosophy. Further coursework and research on an MA Thesis or PhD dissertation may pursue a wide variety of options including further work in the history of philosophy, work in the history and philosophy of science and technology, and work in various areas of social, political and moral philosophy.

Philosophy Majors Develop Skills In

• Conflict resolution• Debate and ethical

discussion• Defining personal

purpose and beliefs• Seeing issues from

more then one point of view

• Critical thinking

• Taking different views into consideration during decision making

• Digesting and summarizing large amounts of information

• Problem solving

Psychology Majors Develop Skills In

• Reshaping ideas in light of new circumstances

• Recognizing patterns and errors of logic

• Using library and primary resources to find answers to questions

• Persevering through difficult intellectual pursuits

• Reducing sophisticated language to comprehensive terms

• Stating and defending an argument verbally and in writing

Employment To increase employment prospects, it is recommended that a philosophy major:

seek part-time or summer job experiences while a studentselect an occupationally related major (i.e. computer science, finance, management, marketing, education, and English)consider and define professional or graduate school goals early

With Additional Education, A Degree In Philosophy Is An Excellent Background For

• Law• Teaching• Diplomacy• Public service• Publishing• Journalism

• Mathematics• Business• Arts • Ministry• Social or natural

sciences

Employment Settings

• Business & Commerce: Includes management and direction of for-profit organizations including the development of business plans, marketing strategies, product development, and human resource management

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Business &

Commerce

• Claims Adjuster• Communications

Director• Community Planner• Credit Analyst• Employment Interviewer• Lobbyist• Marketing Research

Analyst

• Policy Analyst• Project Planner• Public Relations

Assistant• Recruiter• Research Analyst• Service Representative• Underwriter

Employment Settings

• Communication & Journalism: Includes print, television, radio, and Internet media. Encompasses everything from business planning and capital development to producing and writing original news or entertainment material.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With

Communication & Journalism

• Advertising Agent• Announcer• Communications

Director• Copy Editor• Director• Foreign Correspondent• Opinion Writer

• Political Commentator• Press Secretary• Public Relations

Specialist• Producer• Publisher• Reporter• Technical Writer• Writer/Author

Employment Settings

• Consulting:

Includes historical and ethnographic research; political surveying, social/cultural assessments, designing bilingual and bicultural curricula; assessing services, and more.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Consulting

• Bicultural Curricula Developer

• Bioethicist• Business Consultant• Community Planner• Corporate

Communications Consultant

• Employee Relations Specialist

• Ethicist (Medical, Environmental or Professional)

• Mediator• Management

Consultant • Policy Analyst• Public Health Advisor• Recruitment Consultant• Training Specialist

Employment Settings

• Education: Includes classroom instruction, curricula development, research, writing, administration, program management, and lecturing.

Teaching and research positions at colleges and universities require an advanced degree. Most other teaching positions require proper certification.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Education

• Administrator• College/University

Faculty• Curriculum Writer• Docent• Educational Media

Programmer• Grant Writer• Guidance Counselor

• Language Instructor • Lecturer• Librarian• Primary Teacher• Program Director• Secondary Teacher• Social Science Teacher• Test Designer• Text Author

Employment Settings

• Social Services: Includes among others counseling, social work, program management, public service, non-profit work, ministry, and positions in correctional facilities.

Most ministry and counseling positions require the completion of a certification or advanced study program.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Social

Services

• Correctional Worker• Drug Counselor• Fund Raiser• Grant Writer• Mediator• Minister/Pastor• Non-Profit Researcher• Pastor/Priest/Rabbi• Police Officer

• Policy Analyst• Public Service

Specialist• Recreational Facility

Worker• Social Columnist• Social Scientist• Social Worker• Therapist

Distribution Of Employed Persons With A Bachelor’s Degree In

Philosophy By Sector

Source: Fogg, N.P, Harrington, P.E. & Harrington, T.F, (2004). College Majors Handbook (2nd ed). Indianapolis, IN: Jist Publishing.

Government/ Military, 8%

Self-Employed, 15%

Education, 14%

Non-Profit, 32%

Private-for-profit, 31%

TOP 10 Occupations That Employ Persons With Only A Bachelor’s Degree In

Philosophy

1 Clergy, other religious workers 2 Top- and mid-level managers, executives 3 Broadcasters, writers, public relations specialists 4 Insurance, securities, real estate, business

services 5 Sales (including retail) 6 Construction trades, miners, well drillers 7 Receptionists, typists 8 Other management-related occupations 9 Other administrative occupations (i.e. record

clerks)10 Personnel, training and labor relations specialists

Source: Fogg, N.P, Harrington, P.E. & Harrington, T.F, (2004). College Majors Handbook (2nd ed). Indianapolis, IN: Jist Publishing.

Strategies For Developing Skills To Get The Job You Want

• Develop excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Double major in an additional area of interest

• Obtain an advanced degree for teaching and research positions

• Develop a concentration like mathematics, medical or business ethics, religion, etc.

• Secure an internship, part-time, or summer employment in an area of interest

Strategies For Developing Skills To Get The Job You Want

• Shadow a professional or faculty member whose work interests you

• Develop astute research skills

• Participate in related professional organizations

• Earn leadership role(s) in campus organization(s)

Books And Web Resources

BooksWhat else you can do with a Ph.D: A career guide for scholars by Jan Secrist

Liberal arts jobs: the guide that turns learning into earning by Burt Nadler

Web Resources

American Philosophical Associationhttp://www.apa.udel.edu/apa/sitemap.html

Jobs in Philosophy http://www.sozialwiss.uni-hamburg.de/phil/ag/jobs/

Resources For More Information

USC’s Department of Philosophy

www.cas.sc.edu/phil/

Career Center Libraryhttp://www.sc.edu/career/Library/library.html

Related Websites

http://www.sc.edu/career/la/philosophy.html

College of Arts and Sciences Career Development Program

www.sc.edu/career/cascdp/index.html

Career Center Contact Information

University of South Carolina Career Center6th Floor, H. William Close Building (BA Building)Columbia, SC 29208Phone: (803) 777-7280On-call counseling without an appointment: M - F, 1:00 am - 4:00 pm (Summer and holiday hours may differ, please check the website at www.sc/edu/career)