When deciding on a major, students must examine whether it will allow them to subsidize themselves. Do your parents or friends warn you that majoring in Philosophy will make it difficult to find a good job or advance in your career? Show them this page after that.
Despite popular belief, philosophy is one of the greatest preparations for a wide range of occupations, and statistics show that desired businesses across Canada are aware of this: philosophy majors and minors are routinely hired.
Furthermore, a philosophy major is one of the traditional academic subjects. This sort of education, with its rich history and extensive subject matter, may appear to some to be too wide and unfocused.
In fact, there are many people who believe that majoring in philosophy is a bad idea.
This degree, on the other hand, provides you with a wide range of skills, allowing you to become a desirable candidate for a variety of industries. As you can see, there are many jobs for philosophy majors.
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Why Pursue a Degree in Philosophy?
Philosophy degrees expose students to perennial issues. The study of human life, social interactions, and political behaviors is referred to as philosophy.
Learners in philosophy schools are also taught how to construct compelling arguments, write effectively, and use inductive and deductive reasoning.
Its majors read the works of ancient and modern philosophers, study ethics and metaphysics, and concentrate on logical thinking tools and procedures. Graduates of these programs can pursue careers in law, education, and theology.
Philosophy is a highly broad and varied topic of study that can aid you in a variety of ways in academics. After all, it is the field on which many, if not all, others are built.
What Skills do Philosophy Majors Bring to the Job Market?
Philosophy majors learn valuable abilities during their undergraduate years that will serve them well throughout their careers. Here are some of the most common skills that philosophy degrees can help you learn:
1. Adaptability and innovation:
According to Mitchell Muncy, “Philosophy prepares people to think about and understand the fundamental nature and broader purpose of the work they are doing,”
According to Muncy, The ability to see “beyond specific functions or tools” helps philosophy majors not only adapt to new environments but also come up with new strategies and ideas and make observations others may not have considered.
“The great value of philosophy majors, in my opinion, is not that they are particularly brilliant at certain jobs, but that they can be good at any job and, more importantly, make exceptional contributions.”
2. Analysis:
Interpreting and evaluating difficult texts, ideas, bigger concepts, and societal challenges is a big element of philosophy.
You probably evaluated the advantages and weaknesses of several texts in class and got to the heart of what they were trying to convey before utilizing them to inform your own opinions. These analytical abilities are useful in a variety of settings.
3. Writing and communication:
Philosophy majors, according to Savage, are adept at reducing complex information and communicating it to others. This is something you’ve probably done both verbally and in writing.
Philosophy majors are also accustomed to group conversations that demand them to actively listen and comprehend the perspectives of others, which is sometimes as crucial as writing or speaking in effective communication.
4. Problem-solving and critical thinking:
Critical thinking—really breaking down an issue, idea, or other notion to its fundamental components and studying it from every angle—is at the heart of philosophy.
The skills you honed doing this will help you to “provide a creative, inquisitive approach to problem-solving,” Savage says.
In order to address challenges in the workplace, you must frequently integrate data from many sources and views.
5. Argument construction and persuasion:
Through your coursework, you learned to develop a convincing argument and present it in a clear, logical way using strong evidence, Savage says.
This skill can be applied to a variety of job situations, such as pitching a new client as a salesperson, determining the best strategy for your team to pursue, or making management recommendations based on the research you reviewed.
If you add a second major or minor to your degree, you’ll have even more desirable skills and employment options right away. “Philosophy can really help enhance the skills gained in other majors and make students even more competitive,” according to Savage.
Philosophy Career Outlook
Learners who study philosophy develop a broad range of information and abilities that enable them to pursue a variety of occupations, including lawyers, engineers, and project managers.
The table below shows the prospective earnings for different jobs based on experience.
| JOB TITLE | ENTRY-LEVEL (0-12 MONTHS) | EARLY CAREER (1-4 YEARS) | MID CAREER (5-9 YEARS) | EXPERIENCED (10-19 YEARS) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attorney | $61,780 | $72,670 | $95,980 | $110,540 |
| Project Manager | $55,470 | $64,220 | $77,540 | $87,130 |
| Civil Engineering | $56,000 | $65,000 | $89,000 | $108,000 |
| Software Engineer | $75,630 | $83,100 | $93,770 | $103,830 |
Tips for Finding a Job as a Philosophy Major
Here are some job search tips for philosophy majors looking for entry-level positions:
1. To obtain experience, be open to internships, fellowships, and part-time jobs.
You may need to be flexible about your first role out of college, especially if you haven’t had a job or internship before.
“Employers want students to have some form of experience, regardless of their major, especially through a part-time job or internship.”
So, even if you’re graduating in the spring, looking for a summer internship or similar opportunity to aid your full-time job search in the fall is still a good idea.
2. Make the most of your academic experiences by including them on your resume.
If you’ve held a leadership position in a club or student group, or if you’ve taken any challenging courses with large projects, you should highlight these accomplishments on your entry-level resume.
3. Prepare to discuss your transferable abilities.
Unfortunately, some people do not take philosophy degrees as seriously as they do STEM or other career-oriented studies.
“Don’t make assumptions about yourself or your education,” “Be ready to discuss why [your degree] is valuable and what you can bring to the company that will make you an asset.”
You can read this: 10 High Paying Jobs for History Majors in 2023
4. Network, network, network!
Strong connections with experts in your field “may lead to incredibly interesting dialogues, long-term mentorships, and even career opportunities,” says one expert.
She suggests contacting your college’s career services office for assistance in interacting with experts and alumni in your field of interest. (Many colleges additionally provide alumni with career services.)
LinkedIn is an excellent networking tool, and having a strong LinkedIn profile and presence is essential.
21 High Paying Jobs For Philosophy Majors
Here are some of the highest-paying jobs for Philosophy Majors which will set you up particularly well along with salary information from the resource of PayScale and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
#1. Policy Analyst
Average salary: $59,726
Policy analysts research, analyze, and assess potential and current legislation and government programs.
They may also assist in the development of new policies, such as stronger environmental rules or a new sort of assistance for low-income families.
Policy analysts work for a variety of organizations, including nonprofits, think tanks, advocacy groups, and other government agencies.
Philosophy majors are also well-suited to the study and analysis required for this profession and may consider the ramifications and effects of such policies.
In addition, policy analysts frequently require a law degree or a master’s or Ph.D. in policy, economics, or a related field. This is one of the highest-paying jobs for Philosophy Majors
#2. Reporter
Average salary: $46,634
Reporters gather information and write about it for print, TV, and online. This is one of the best highest paying jobs for Philosophy Majors.
They’re in charge of locating reputable sources, conducting interviews, and staying on top of breaking news and trends in their field of expertise, which could range from international politics to sports, entertainment, or science.
Because of their writing and communication skills, as well as their capacity to think carefully about biases, points of view, and sources of information, philosophy majors are ideally prepared for these positions.
It helps a lot to have taken journalism classes as an undergrad, worked on your school’s paper, or had journalistic internships, all of which can help you develop a solid portfolio of reported, published work, in order to secure an entry-level journalism position or fellowship.
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#3. Market Research Analyst
Avg. Salary: $62,560
Typical Education Level: Bachelor’s degree
Monitoring and forecasting sales can be a demanding task, but you’ll be well-ready to tackle these challenges with the research and analytical abilities you’ll gain from a bachelor’s degree in philosophy.
This type of job can be found all throughout the country, in practically any industry, and in any region. Because market analysis is used in almost every industry, you may use these abilities and experiences almost anywhere.
The purpose of a marketing research analyst is to assess the efficacy of campaigns and give marketing recommendations for the future.
Additionally, those in the top 10% of the profession earn over $121,000 per year and have a career with a projected growth rate of 23%.
#4. Writer
Avg. Salary: $61,240
Typical Education Level: Bachelor’s degree
To make a career as a writer, you don’t have to be a world-renowned author. While the great majority (64%) are self-employed, about a third are employed by businesses and non-profit organizations.
Fiction and nonfiction books, as well as copywriters for advertising and other business objectives, are all examples of writers. The median pay is reasonable, and the top 10% earn more than $118,640.
It also has a significant predicted growth rate of 8%, which is comparable to the average for all jobs. This is one of the best highest paying jobs for Philosophy Majors.
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#5. Advertising Sales Agent
Avg. Salary: $50,380
Typical Education Level: High school diploma
Advertising sales agents market their firm’s or company’s advertising services. In essence, their duty is to demonstrate to potential clients how advertising with a firm or group, such as a magazine, website, or radio station, may help them drive sales.
Although only high school graduation is required for this position, a philosophy degree will help you solve difficulties and communicate benefits.
The typical annual pay is above $50,000, and the top 10% earn more than $115,430. Growth, on the other hand, is predicted to slow by 4%. This is one of the best highest paying jobs for Philosophy Majors.
#6. Psychologist
Average salary: $78,724
Psychologists are experts in human behavior, emotions, and thought. They may also provide mental health counseling to individuals, couples, and other groups.
You’ve learned a lot of the critical thinking and analyzing abilities needed to pursue psychology as a philosophy major.
Plus, you’ve probably evaluated human behavior and attempted to explain social phenomena before.
Psychology is an excellent field to study if you’re interested in the inner workings of the human mind.
In addition, if you want to work in a school or as an organizational psychologist, you’ll almost certainly require a master’s degree in psychology or a related discipline.
A doctorate, most frequently a Ph.D. or a PsyD (doctor of psychology degree), is required to work in a research or clinical context.
Furthermore, this is one of the highest-paying occupations available to philosophy majors.
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#7. Management Consultant
Average salary: $87,985
Management consultants assess, analyze, and give recommendations to businesses in order to assist them in resolving internal issues.
Consultants frequently work for large consulting organizations with many clients and switch projects every few weeks or months.
Adaptability and creative skills in philosophy majors allow them to swiftly learn about new businesses and changing contexts.
They’ll also use their critical thinking, communication, and analysis abilities to obtain information about a customer (via methods such as data collecting and employee interviews), synthesize that knowledge to come up with solutions, and then share their recommendations with clients.
#8. Lawyer
Average salary: $85,920
In legal matters, lawyers represent and advise individuals, organizations, and the government.
In a variety of scenarios, they also interpret laws, judgments, and regulations and write legal papers. Lawyers typically focus on one field of law, such as criminal defense, family law, tax law, or environmental law.
You’ve probably seen innumerable shows and movies featuring lawyers (either defense or prosecution) making compelling arguments in a courtroom, however not all lawyers appear in court. Many people work in offices mostly or entirely.
Philosophy majors often go on to become lawyers because they possess many of the necessary abilities, such as the ability to construct arguments and study and evaluate complex texts.
Furthermore, this is one of the highest-paying positions in philosophy majors.
#9. Teacher
Average salary: $49,593
Teachers develop classes and instruct students in elementary and high schools.
They’re in charge of grading and evaluating pupils, as well as keeping track of their progress and tailoring their teachings to each class or student to ensure that they comprehend and assimilate the content.
Philosophy majors become outstanding teachers because of their ability to communicate and break down complex ideas and analyze them from various perspectives.
They’re also skilled at explaining the “why” behind certain concepts, classes, and even teaching methods.
#10. Human resources
Average salary: $106,910
Some could argue that having a strong moral compass and sense of ethics is essential for successful human resources (HR) professionals.
Anyone who works in human resources can tell you how much patience and compassion it takes to succeed in a job that demands a high level of professionalism and a strong sense of right and wrong.
Philosophy majors are adept at balancing the benefits and drawbacks of a situation and considering all perspectives.
As an HR professional, who is frequently entrusted with serving as a liaison between the employee and the business, this is a vital skill.
“In order to build a rewarding employee experience, you need to understand what matters most to your people,” says HR specialist, Julie Bevacqua.
#11. Economist
Average salary: $101,050
While an economist’s daily activities primarily include mathematics, it’s not uncommon for this field to also include a significant amount of humanism and philosophy, making it an excellent choice for someone with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and a knack for reading data.
You will do economic research, provide business advice, and evaluate data using mathematical models in this career.
The job future is promising, with a 6-percentage-point increase projected, and the top 10% of earners earn more than $181,000, making it a rewarding career choice after you have the requisite skills and expertise.
#12. School Principal
Average salary: $92,510
Principals are the leaders and faces of schools, coordinating curriculums, overseeing teaching agendas, and providing leadership for personnel.
A master’s degree in a related discipline is essential because daily work might range from lesson planning to budget for future semesters.
A philosophy degree, on the other hand, is an excellent educational start to this job, which may pay over $135,770 to the top 10% of earners. This is one of the highest paying jobs in philosophy majors.
Required Education: Master’s degree
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#13.College Professor
Average salary: $75,430
A profession as a college professor may be perfect for you if you are really passionate about philosophy and would love to teach it for the rest of your life.
In this job, you’ll be responsible for teaching individuals who are pursuing philosophy degrees, as well as creating classes and developing educational strategies.
To get one of these professions in philosophy, you’ll need a Ph.D. or at the very least a master’s degree in the topic, as well as a thorough understanding of the discipline.
The top 10% of earners earn more than $168,270 per year, and demand for postsecondary teachers is predicted to increase by 15%.
However, this applies to all college teachers, not just those in the philosophy field. You can even work from the comfort of your own home!
#14. Arbitrator
Average salary: $59,770
Arbitrators assist parties in resolving problems outside of the courts by fostering communication between them.
They may be called upon to clarify issues or concerns, or to hold preliminary discussions to resolve disagreements, which necessitates outstanding communication and consideration.
In this job, you’ll need to communicate with people on both sides, interview witnesses or experts, and gather knowledge about the subjects that are being debated.
If you make your way up to the top 10% in this field, you can expect to earn over $123,000 per year and have a career that will develop at a rate of 10% each year.
#15. Political Scientist
Average salary: $114,290
You will do research and analysis while studying and communicating the origins and development of political systems in this vocation.
The BLS says that 48% of political scientists work for the federal government, while over a quarter works for professional, scientific, and technical services.
The top 10% of this field earns more than $160,000 a year, but the career will only grow at a rate of 3%, which is lower than the national average for all careers.
Furthermore, this is one of the highest-paying careers in philosophy majors.
#16. High School Teacher
Average salary: $58,030
High school teachers have a vital role in both our society and individual lives.
They teach intellectual lessons, and many of the abilities learned in philosophy, such as communication and investigation, may be applied to teaching.
You’ll need a teaching license and some classroom experience, but the top 10% of teachers in this sector can earn more than $92,000 per year.
The unemployment rate, which is currently at 8%, is similarly in line with national statistics. It’s also one of the most well-paid jobs in philosophy majors.
Bachelor’s degree is required for this position.
#17. Editor
Average salary: $57,210
As a philosophy major, you’ll probably do a lot of writing, which makes you a good prospect for a career as an editor.
This position requires you to organize, review, and modify written content from a variety of sources, including professional authors, businesses, and government bodies.
The development of story and content ideas, as well as general direction in the creation of articles and other written content, are all tasks that editors perform, thus they are involved in both the front and backend of the articles.
Although the overall number of available positions is predicted to decrease by 1%, the top 10% of the field can make more than $110,000 per year.
Bachelor’s degree is required for this position.
#18. Historian
Average salary: $55,110
Working as a historian does not always imply that you will be teaching. Many historians, in reality, work for museums, historical societies, and research institutes.
Work can include obtaining historical knowledge, interpreting historical sources, tracing historical occurrences, and conveying historical subjects to the public, depending on the sort of business, which could make it one of the best jobs in philosophy.
The top 10% of earners in this field earn more than $102,000, and job growth is predicted to be 6%, giving the field some stability.
A Master’s degree is required for this position.
#19. Architecture and Art
A first degree in Philosophy can be very useful for a student who wants to think theoretically about these creative endeavors.
Professional work in art and architecture often requires advanced technical training or a graduate degree, but the first degree in philosophy can be very helpful for a student who wants to think theoretically about these creative endeavors.
Aesthetic, meaning, culture, and social philosophical views have long been a source of inspiration for new art and architecture.
Philosophy education lays the groundwork for a thorough comprehension of these subjects.
#20. Religion and Ministry
Students who want to pursue advanced degrees in theology or seminary preparation for ministry generally start with a philosophy degree.
It is beneficial to have some philosophical schooling before working in areas, including theology, especially if you have theoretical interests.
A Philosophy minor or double major combined with biblical languages or religious studies can be a potent combo in this scenario.
#21. Fundraising and Nonprofit Work
Philosophy graduates are highly suited for any career that requires making tough value judgments and comparison assessments.
This qualifies them for positions in college and university administrations, such as admissions, as well as significant foundations and other non-profit organizations dedicated to various social concerns.
In addition, this is one of the highest-paying jobs for philosophy majors
Conclusion
Graduates of philosophy are well-suited to careers in research and politics. They might also look for work in charity or publishing, or they might decide to pursue a career as a lawyer.
However, “The study of philosophy is not merely the study of abstract ideas. In fact, this discipline can teach you how to think critically and clearly present your argument – valuable skills that could set you up for a career as a barrister, solicitor, local government officer, or lecturer, to name but a few,” writes Katie Russell for The Daily Telegraph,
A degree in philosophy, a diverse and intriguing topic, is not restricting; in fact, the skills it develops and sharpens can be used in a wide range of occupations and careers. It isn’t named “the mother of all disciplines” for nothing…
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