Finding a Job in Philosophy

Many universities offer degree programs in philosophy and many employers want to hire individuals with an understanding of this subject matter. However, philosophy has its own challenges that often prevent many people from pursuing this career. For example, some philosophers believe that mathematics and science are objective systems while others feel that they are socially constructed. Others hold that nothing in the universe can be explained through science while others believe that everything can be explained through a combination of science and philosophy. Even though there are great opportunities for work as an adjunct professor of philosophy, administrators for degrees K-12 usually aren’t looking for philosophy, itself.

You’ll need to explore the opportunities available by either ‘marking yourself out’ on your resume, taking the initiative and marketing your philosophy through your job hunt and by doing something about your career situation. You may be able to get a job teaching philosophy in a college or university, but chances are it will be in a department that doesn’t offer a large number of courses related to philosophy.

The best bet is to pursue a course at a community college or other non-traditional college where classes in philosophy are common. This might not be practical for you, because the typical college schedule isn’t conducive to learning philosophy on a part time basis. Nevertheless, you should be able to find some sort of program in which you can earn your Bachelor’s of Science degree in Philosophy. If you are working in an organization that requires a Bachelors degree of philosophy, this could be the perfect opportunity for you. If not, you may have to find a different avenue to pursue your philosophy education.

If you are already employed, you will likely want to take the time to get a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy prior to trying to pursue this career path again. If you have had a degree in philosophy before, you may be familiar with the academic requirements and be able to apply. On the other hand, if you haven’t taken a philosophy class in a while, you might want to spend some time learning the new subjects to make sure you understand them before you try to re-invent the wheel.

Once you have obtained your Bachelor’s degree, you will probably be looking at job opportunities in the philosophy field. You will most likely apply to teach philosophy courses or areas of study that require more advanced training so that will prepare you for a qualified individual who is able to perform the duties you wish to have in your future position.

You will want to get certified before you start working because you will need a credential to obtain higher paying positions. You may not get paid as much as you would get paid in a typical university setting, but the pay will still be above the minimum wage. If you are applying for jobs at a business or for a government agency, however, your credentials will most likely be required. Most employers have specific requirements that must be met before being hired as a philosophy professor.

When you are looking for jobs in the field of philosophy, you should take the time to get your Bachelor’s degree because it will provide you with additional career options and you will also have skills that you can use to teach other students who are graduating from the program. You can then expand upon your credentials and become a philosopher instructor, an academic counselor, a lecturer or even a research analyst.

The key is to get educated and stay motivated, both financially and intellectually. Many jobs in the field of philosophy are not available everywhere so getting your degree will allow you to build up a good foundation for future careers and get the education that you want.