Their love for wisdom leads Philosophers to engage actively in constant research and contemplation of existential questions that inculcate in one curiosity, courage, compassion, and acceptance - traits widely sought after in all walks of life. Continue Reading
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What are the typical responsibilities of a Philosopher?
A Philosopher would typically need to:
Philosophers usually work out of offices where they do research and have meetings. Travel to conferences and events to debate and discuss critical philosophical issues may be required.
Professors of philosophy may devote 20 hours per week to teaching, office hours, grading and class prep.
However, research and writing, especially in the first few years, will take significant time because your publishing record will be an essential part of the tenure evaluation process. Factor in administration, service, official events, and departmental meetings, and you are likely to spend anywhere between 50 to 80 hours during the week on work.
Research suggests that flexible hours and generous telework policies appeal more than salary to the younger generation. There has been an incremental increase in employers willing to give promising employees the chance to adjust their schedules per the job demands.
Philosophers who realise that academia may not be their ideal field of employment and shift to other domains, such as law, and journalism, may find their work schedules will vary accordingly.
Most philosophy students look for philosophy professor job opportunities after completing their education. Your advisor, who gets to hear about proper positions before posting, may notify you if requested. Finding a new job might seem challenging. Philosophers who seek employment in other sectors can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting companies directly, using job search platforms, going to job fairs, leveraging social media, and inquiring at staffing agencies.
Philosophers are generally employed by:
Professional associations and organisations, such as The Association For Philosophy And Literature (APL), are crucial for Philosophers interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.
Budding Philosophers should begin trying to publish their philosophical insights in academic journals particular to the field to build a wholesome reputation and improve their chances of being hired as philosophy professors.
Look for opportunities to present your work at academic conferences where you can get productive feedback from other professional thinkers and promote your career prospects.
Find short-term paid or voluntary work to improve your prospects of getting a job while gaining valuable insight into how a company or institution operates. It may also help you determine whether the public, private or voluntary sector is best suited to realise your ambitions.
Most graduate programmes in philosophy give their participants valuable opportunities to teach undergraduate students and develop their pedagogical skills.
In addition, volunteering to teach philosophy in local schools is a time-honoured way to build your own teaching and management skills while developing critical thinking skills for the next generation.
Complete an administrative assignment or internship in educational institutions to demonstrate administrative skills and establish the base for an appealing record in or outside the academic world. Consult administrators of neighbourhood schools about possible options.
Established lawyers and journalists can teach prospective Philosophers how to communicate complex concepts in diverse formats, such as legal documents, funding bids, or press releases. It is a crucial transferable skill that will always stand you in good stead.
Your educational provider’s career service department can provide information about viable opportunities for work placements and voluntary work in various sectors.
Read about the profession and interview or job shadow expert Philosophers to prove your commitment to course providers and prospective employers.
To successfully pursue philosophy as a career, one must acquire a Phd, an MPhil or at least a master’s degree in the subject to gain a comprehensive understanding of ethics, logic, metaphysics, semantics, and epistemology.
Other fields of potential interest include politics, ethics, international development and sociology.
Prospective Philosophers should explore the programmes offered by different universities before opting for the one that best suits their purpose. Since graduate school applications are highly competitive, short list and send applications to at least 10 to 12 institutions.
Focus on mathematics, theology, religious studies, classical civilisations, psychology, natural sciences, and sociology in high school. English and speech classes will help you develop your research, writing, and oral communication skills.
Remember that completing a particular academic course does not guarantee your entry into the profession. Be that as it may, your professional qualifications and transferable skills may open up more than one door.
Do your homework and look into all available options for education and employment before enrolling in a specific programme. Reliable sources that help you make an educated decision include associations and employers in your field.
Certification in high-quality ethics and compliance from an objective and reputed organisation can help aspiring Philosophers stand out in a competitive job market, increase their chances of advancement, and become independent consultants.
A combination of education, experience, and testing is generally required to gain certification, though requirements differ from region to region. Successful certification programs protect public welfare by incorporating a Code of Ethics.
You may need to undergo an employment background check, including but not limited to a person’s work history, education, credit history, motor vehicle reports (MVRs), criminal record, medical history, use of social media, and drug screening.
Performance, experience, and the acquisition of professional qualifications drive the career progression of Philosophers in the academic world where they may begin as adjunct or part-time professors before becoming Tenure-Track and Tenured Professors either at the university where they started or another university.
Tenure gives philosophers total freedom to write, teach, and say what they believe in. Professorial ranks aid promotion to high-level administrative positions.
However, fresh graduates of philosophy secure administrative positions in colleges and universities, and quite a few hold librarian positions in such institutions. In addition, their philosophical training may open doors in academic-related personnel, financial aid, or public relations offices.
Other students of philosophy with supplementary degrees in medicine or nursing flourish in bioethics, hospital administration, organisation of hospice movements, policy-making/counselling roles in neonatal nurseries and intensive care units, and academics.
It is also possible to apply one’s knowledge of philosophy to pursue a career in business, journalism, public service, law, social services, and computer science. Pre-college teaching, particularly if one can teach another subject, is becoming an increasingly viable option for philosophers and students of philosophy.
The desire to accelerate career growth and personal development has an increasing number of millennials choosing to job hop and build a scattershot resume that showcases ambition, motivation, and the desire to learn a broad range of skills.
Studies prove that job hopping, earlier dismissed as “flaky” behaviour, can lead to greater job fulfilment. Employees searching for a positive culture and interesting work are willing to try out various roles and workplaces and learn valuable, transferable skills along the way.
Candidates with a PhD or MPhil in philosophy, an inquiring mind, and a strong ethical code have the best job prospects.
Continuing professional development (CPD) will help an active Philosopher build personal skills and proficiency through work-based learning, a professional activity,
formal education, or self-directed learning.
Publishing a couple of books and completing a few major research projects will help shape your academic career. You will devote considerable time to teaching, research, and frequent independent or collaborative publication of articles in peer-reviewed journals.
Associate philosophy professors who can establish their expertise in specific philosophical fields may be able to move to universities that need it and are willing to offer a tenure in return.
Many graduates of philosophy may find the world of academia too competitive. However, since the investigative mindset and disciplined thinking they inculcate as students aid in recognising half-truths or complete falsehoods, they are highly sought after in various other fields of employment.
A career in law will need additional qualifications specific to the field, whereas relevant work experience will prove handy if you wish to explore career opportunities in journalism or advertising.
Philosophers who take up medical jobs may undergo medical training or acquire a degree in medicine or nursing to facilitate career growth.
You can qualify for higher certification in ethics and compassion to gain recognition as a consultant among ethics professionals and organisation executives. Read current literature, talk with colleagues, and participate in professional conferences to keep abreast of developments.
Non-academically employed Philosophers may attend divisional conventions of organisations, such as APA (American Philosophical Association) and may be chosen to volunteer to comment or chair a session, especially if they have submitted highly rated papers that were not accepted.
Update your CV regularly to reflect your current skills and expertise in a way that creates a good impression on potential employers.
Philosophers can expect support and additional training from the academic institution or from Vitae, a non-profit global leader with over 50 years of experience in enhancing the skills of researchers.
In partnership with governments, funders of research, professional bodies, trusts & foundations, universities, and research institutes, Vitae offers training, resources, events, consultancy, and membership.
A Happy Medium
A student of philosophy can learn how to distinguish nuanced differences in opinions and find common ground, analyse and construct sound arguments, write coherently and convincingly, generate viable solutions to current issues, and be open to fresh ideas and concepts.
In addition, you will acquire transferable skills, such as self-motivation, independent study and thought, priority-setting, flexibility, creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and a grasp of prevalent computer skills.
Down Memory Lane
Socrates famously claimed, “The only thing I know is that I know nothing.” In pursuit of a simple life, Diogenes gave up all his material possessions and spent some time living in a barrel. Aristotle said, “Knowing yourself is the beginning of wisdom.”
An early supporter of women’s rights, Pythagoras started a school for both men and women in 530 BC. Horace, who believed that one should try to enjoy life while one can, coined the term “Carpe Diem” or “Seize the day.”
Afraid it would affect his writing, Jean-Paul Sartre declined the Nobel Prize for Literature. Rene Descartes said, “Conquer yourself rather than the world,” while John Dewey declared, “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.”
Potential Pros & Cons of Freelancing vs Full-Time Employment
Freelancing Philosophers have more flexible work schedules and locations. They fully own the business and can select their projects and clients. However, they experience inconsistent work and cash flow, which means more responsibility, effort, and risk.
On the other hand, a full-time Philosopher has company-sponsored health benefits, insurance, and retirement plans. They have job security with a fixed, reliable source of income and guidance from their bosses. Yet, they may experience boredom due to a lack of flexibility, ownership, and variety.
When deciding between freelancing or being a full-time employee, consider the pros and cons to see what works best for you.
As Bertrand Russell famously said, “Science is what you know. Philosophy is what you don’t know.” Philosophers who devote their lives to the courageous and honourable pursuit and understanding of life in its entirety reap the rewards in a spectacular manner.
“A day without laughter is a day wasted.”
― Nicolas Chamfort
Kierkegaard, the first existentialist philosopher, often wrote under different names so he could hold debates with himself.
What do Philosophers do?
A Philosopher would typically need to:
Accredited
$49,000
