Philosophy

View our Philosophy degrees

What can I do with a Major in Philosophy?

Social/Community Services

Job Types

  • Research
  • Fund Raising
  • Counseling
  • Volunteer Coordination
  • Grant Writing
  • Administration

Employers

  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Social service organizations
  • Public interest research groups
  • Museums
  • Mental health agencies

Strategies

  • Develop excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Gain related work experience. Volunteer in relevant organizations.
  • Obtain master’s degree in social work or counseling as well as applicable state licensure for therapy positions.
  • Become familiar with grant writing techniques.

Religion/Ministry

Job Types

  • Clergy
  • Administration
  • Missions

Employers

  • Local churches or synagogues
  • District, regional, national, and world denominational headquarters
  • Religiously affiliated schools, colleges, and universities
  • Local, national, and international mission fields
  • Religious organizations

Strategies

  • Obtain appropriate seminary training for clergy positions.
  • Become certified through a denomination for specialized staff positions.
  • Gain related experience through volunteering with local churches or religious organizations.
  • Develop applicable foreign language skills for international mission work.
  • Seek leadership positions in campus religious organizations.
  • Complete an internship or summer position with a religious camp or missionary organization.

Education

Job Types

  • Teaching
  • Research
  • Administration
  • Student Affairs

Employers

  • Colleges and universities
  • Adult education programs
  • Vocational-technical educational programs
  • Professional or graduate schools including Medical

Strategies

  • Obtain a doctorate degree for opportunities in teaching and/or research.
  • Develop one or more concentrations, such as mathematics, medical or business ethics, science, or religion.
  • Gain related experience through internships, volunteering, or part-time employment.
  • Earn a master’s degree in a specialized area (e.g., Library and Information Sciences, College Student Personnel, or Counseling).
  • Seek campus leadership positions such as peer mentor or resident assistant.

Government

Job Types

  • Public Policy
  • Research
  • Regional Planning
  • City Management
  • Intelligence
  • Foreign Service
  • Law Enforcement
  • Legislative, Executive, or Judicial Services
  • Program Administration
  • Elected or Appointed Leadership
  • Campaign Management
  • Staff Administration
  • Special Interest Advocacy

Employers

  • Federal, state, and local government
  • Commission on Civil Rights
  • Consumer Product Safety Commission
  • Department of Energy
  • Federal Communications Commission
  • Foreign Service
  • Federal Municipal Archives
  • National and State Endowments for the Humanities
  • Legislative, executive, or judicial officials
  • Political action committees
  • Special interest groups
  • Political parties
  • Campaigns (national, state, or local)

Strategies

  • Become familiar with federal, state, and local job application processes.
  • Supplement curriculum with courses in political science, public administration, or business.
  • Complete an internship in government or related area.
  • Serve in model United Nations.
  • Become involved in student government.
  • Participate in cultural groups and organizations.
  • Write for campus publications focused on national and international affairs.
  • Develop skills in computers, statistics, and data analysis.
  • Acquire foreign language competency and travel experience for international positions.
  • Earn a graduate degree in political science or public administration for advancement.
  • Volunteer with the staff of a government official.
  • Participate in local or national campaigns.

Ethics

Job Types

  • Medical
  • Environmental
  • Research

Employers

  • Hospitals
  • Medical and professional schools
  • Colleges and universities
  • Consulting services
  • Research organizations
  • Health science funding agencies
  • Environmental agencies

Strategies

  • Obtain Ph.D. for most positions.
  • Participate in related professional organizations.
  • Join debate groups.
  • Develop excellent research skills.
  • Hone verbal and written communication skills.

Law

Employers

  • Law firms
  • Corporations
  • Federal, state, and local government
  • Private practice
  • Special interest groups
  • Universities

Strategies

  • Obtain law degree.
  • Develop excellent research and writing skills.
  • Participate in debate or mock trial.
  • Maintain a high grade point average.
  • Gain experience through part-time employment or internships in legal settings.

Writing

Job Types

  • Editing
  • Technical Writing
  • Journalism
  • Advertising
  • Public Relations

Employers

  • Publishing companies
  • Magazine and newspaper companies
  • Professional and trade associations
  • Advertising agencies and departments
  • Electronic media organizations

Strategies

  • Serve on college newspaper staff.
  • Develop excellent writing and desktop publishing skills.
  • Take courses in journalism, advertising, public relations, or English.
  • Gain related experience.
  • Become a student member of a related professional group.

Business

Job Types

  • Management
  • Sales
  • Human Resources
  • Market Research
  • Finance
  • Insurance

Employers

  • Business firms
  • Insurance companies
  • Banks
  • Retail stores
  • Marketing research departments or organizations
  • Real estate companies

Strategies

  • Minor in business.
  • Gain related experience through internships or part-time jobs.
  • Obtain leadership role(s) in campus organization(s).
  • Develop computer skills in word processing, database management, and spreadsheet programs.

Strategies for Placement in Philosophy

  • Philosophy students develop many transferable skills that can be can be utilized in a variety of careers and jobs, demonstrating the flexibility and capacity for growth that employers find valuable. These skills include analytical, organizational, research, as well as oral and written communication skills.
  • Other related skills that are attractive to employers are idea generation, problem formulation and problem solving, diverse data integration, adaptation to change, the ability to elicit hidden assumptions, persuasion, and summarization of complicated material.
  • An undergraduate degree qualifies one for entry-level positions in business, nonprofit organizations, and government.
  • Graduate and/or professional studies usually lead to careers in law, medicine, ministry, finance, psychology, counseling, diplomacy, ethics, and related areas.
  • Ph.D. is required for college/university teaching and research.
  • Concentrations with other areas can include mathematics, religion, science, history, women’s studies, Eastern philosophy, and medical or business ethics.
  • Develop aptitudes for analytical thinking, logic, and statistics in order to apply philosophy to a broad range of professions such as law, government, finance, management, consulting, and related areas.
  • Join related student or professional organizations.
  • Seek related summer or part-time work experience or internships in area(s) of interest.
  • Take computer courses to increase employment opportunities.

Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. (2005) UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA /ADEA Employer

Philosophy Resources