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Career Opportunities with a Major in Philosophy

Many jobs require a college educated individual. College graduates can use their education in a wide variety of occupations.

A major in philosophy can serve as a basis for graduate studies in such areas as philosophy, the humanities, law, medicine, business and urban planning and development. This major can also lead to careers in corporate management, government, politics, banking or education.

 

SKILLS RELATED TO PHILOSOPHY

  • Ability to delve into profound issues

  • Ability to summarize complicated material and solve problems

  • Comprehensive command of grammar and vocabulary

  • Ability to formulate and defend ideas/concepts

  • Ability to concentrate for long periods of time

  • Ability to analyze cause and effect

  • Ability to consider alternative points of view

  • Proficiency in analytical and synthetic reasoning

  • Good at analyzing relationships between factors

The following list is a representative sample of job titles for individuals with a philosophy major. The list represents some, but certainly not all, careers which philosophy majors may consider.

Some of these jobs also require education beyond a bachelor's degree.

 

Advertising Executive Anthropologist Arbitrator
Archivist Administrator Biographer
Book Critic Clergy College Professor
Copy Editor Computer Systems Analyst Diplomat
Editor Editorial Assistant FBI/CIA Agent
Foreign Correspondent Foreign Service Officer Freelance Writer
Historian Human Resource Manager Journalist
Lawyer Lecturer Librarian
Lobbyist Manager Market Research Analyst
Medical Ethicist Political Scientist Psychologist
Public Administrator Research Assistant Technical Writer
Writer VISTA Volunteer Physician
Top Executive Urban and Regional Planner  

 

EMPLOYERS IN PHILOSOPHY

  • Publishing Companies

  • Magazines/Newspapers

  • Travel Agencies

  • Government Agencies

  • Archives

  • Bookstores

  • Radio/TV Industries

  • Libraries

  • Research Institutions

  • Public Relations Firms

  • Churches

  • Museums

  • Non-profit Foundations

  • Insurance Companies

  • Professional Periodicals

  • Social Service Agencies

  • Hospitals

  • HMOs

 

WEB SITES RELATED TO PHILOSOPHY

MSU Denver Philosophy Department Website

 

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS IN THIS FIELD

The above information is collected from alumni surveys of numerous colleges, professional associations, and multiple print and online resources.