Philosophy

Philosophy studies the basic beliefs that support all of our thinking and living. These beliefs are about the nature and existence of the universe, God, persons, free will, space/time, and causality; about evidence, theory-testing, and rational judgment; and about justice, the good person, and moral education. The curriculum emphasizes the history of philosophy as well as recent philosophical work concerning religion, science, business activity, and environmental protection.

Philosophy students will develop skills to evaluate critically what they read, to examine and to write clearly about what they believe, and (through response-group and class discussion) to think in a cooperative way. These skills are useful in most careers and in graduate and advanced professional study. Majors often select an area of philosophy for independent study. All majors take advanced courses in other disciplines related to their philosophical interests; many double-major in another academic field. Philosophy participates in the Business and Ethics Interdisciplinary Major described elsewhere in this catalog. The Department offers innovative tutorial courses to prepare students for study at Regent’s Park College, Oxford University.

Contact the Department

Philosophy Department
Georgetown College
400 East College Street
Georgetown, KY 40324

www.georgetowncollege.edu/phi/

Career Ideas for Philosophy

AREA	EMPLOYERS	STRATEGIES
SOCIAL/COMMUNITY SERVICES
Research Fund Raising Counseling Volunteer Coordination Grant Writing Administration	Nonprofit organizations Social service organizations Public interest research groups Museums Mental health agencies	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
Clergy Administration Missions	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	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
Teaching Research Administration Student Affairs	Colleges and universities Adult education programs Vocational-technical educational programs Professional or graduate schools including Medical	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
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	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)	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
Medical Environmental Research	Hospitals Medical and professional schools Colleges and universities Consulting services Research organizations Health science funding agencies Environmental agencies	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
	Law firms Corporations Federal, state, and local government Private practice Special interest groups Universities	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
Editing Technical Writing Journalism Advertising Public Relations	Publishing companies Magazine and newspaper companies Professional and trade associations Advertising agencies and departments Electronic media organizations	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
Management Sales Human Resources Market Research Finance Insurance	Business firms Insurance companies Banks Retail stores Marketing research departments or organizations Real estate companies	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.

General Information

• 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.

Helpful Links

• The Philosophical Gourmet Report
• American Philosophical Association – The Uses of Philosophy in Non-Academic Careers
• American Academy of Religion
• Idealist
• Teachers-Postsecondary from the Occupational Outlook Handbook

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