Careers in Philosophy
"Philosophy graduates are highly employable because philosophy teaches you how to think for yourself and analyse and communicate ideas in a clear, rational and well thought out way. Being a philosophy student is less about building a body of knowledge than about learning how to learn. This is one of the distinctive strengths, and key benefits, of studying philosophy. Whereas the knowledge learnt in other disciplines may be superseded by future discoveries of made obsolete by changes of circumstance, the ability to think critically does not become devalued over time. On the contrary, it is invaluable when new situations occur."
- Employability: Where next? Unlocking the Potential of your Philosophy Degree, p. 4
A degree in philosophy will allow you to acquire intellectual and perceptual skills of vital advantage in the pursuit of any professional career. Studying philosophy will allow you to:
- Identify and explain the underlying issues in all kinds of debate
- Develop creative and robust responses to difficult issues
- Gain the ability to analyse and to formulate complex and controversial problems
- Read closely and become sensitive to arguments from a variety of sources and traditions
- Offer clear and rigorous critical responses to arguments
- Summarise and assess points of view which are not your own
- Learn the self-discipline required for independent research
Employers recognize that these skills are highly transferable. They mark out independent and thoughtful individuals. Philosophy will serve you well in your future career and life-long learning. As well as continuing to postgraduate study, recent graduates from the Department of Philosophy have gone on to work in publishing, teaching, and the civil service.
"Philosophy graduates are highly employable because philosophy teaches you how to think for yourself and analyse and communicate ideas in a clear, rational and well thought out way. Being a philosophy student is less about building a body of knowledge than about learning how to learn. This is one of the distinctive strengths, and key benefits, of studying philosophy. Whereas the knowledge learnt in other disciplines may be superseded by future discoveries of made obsolete by changes of circumstance, the ability to think critically does not become devalued over time. On the contrary, it is invaluable when new situations occur."
- Employability: Where next? Unlocking the Potential of your Philosophy Degree, p. 4
A degree in philosophy will allow you to acquire intellectual and perceptual skills of vital advantage in the pursuit of any professional career. Studying philosophy will allow you to:
- Identify and explain the underlying issues in all kinds of debate
- Develop creative and robust responses to difficult issues
- Gain the ability to analyse and to formulate complex and controversial problems
- Read closely and become sensitive to arguments from a variety of sources and traditions
- Offer clear and rigorous critical responses to arguments
- Summarise and assess points of view which are not your own
- Learn the self-discipline required for independent research
Employers recognize that these skills are highly transferable. They mark out independent and thoughtful individuals. Philosophy will serve you well in your future career and life-long learning. As well as continuing to postgraduate study, recent graduates from the Department of Philosophy have gone on to work in publishing, teaching, and the civil service.
Careers Advice
You can get free guidance and information on career paths open to you at the University's Careers Service. A 24-page booklet, Employability: Where next? Unlocking the Potential of your Philosophy Degree is a very useful guide to identifying the skills you have gained in philosophy, highlighting them to employers, and considering how they can lead you to a variety of career paths. The booklet is available online or free from Dr Beth Lord in Tower Extension Room 3.7.
Spotlight
Teacher Training in Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies
The Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies section of the School of Education at the University of Aberdeen are currently trying to recruit quality candidates to teach RMPS at secondary schools. They have supplied a flyer containing further information and showing the currency, and need for RMPS teaching.
Graduate Profiles
Profiles of recent Philosophy graduates reveal the varied degree options and career paths of our students.
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