The Idea of the University
Jan 04, 2009Is a university a research institute with students, or and educational institution with research around the edges – or something in between?
Philosophy Majors: Unexpectedly Employable
Sarah Kahn
10 July 2017
Contrary to popular belief, a philosophy degree may be useful in the job market. Granted, engineering, pre-med and pre-law students have a clear-cut path after graduation. However, a philosophy education equips students with “critical thinking, precise analysis and cogent writing” says Christopher Morris, chair of the University of Maryland philosophy department, in an article in the Washington Post.
The article argues that despite societal skepticism, philosophy majors perform better on exams for law, medicine and other graduate schools. They rank in the top 100 of all academic fields for average mid-career salary and share academic interests with the likes of Supreme Court Justice, Stephen G. Breyer, and former CEO of Hewlett Packard and Republican candidate, Carly Fiorina. According to Fiorina, her philosophy degree taught her “how to separate the wheat from the chaff, essential from just interesting," a skill, she says, that is "particularly critical" now.
Could this be said of all Liberal Arts majors, or just philosophy? Do students learn particular skills that are unique to philosophy? And could getting a philosophy degree ultimately turn out to be the unexpected key to the job market?
See the full article here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/for-philosophy-majors-the-question-after-graduation-is-what-next/2017/06/20/aa7fae2a-46f0-11e7-98cd-af64b4fe2dfc_story.html
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Related Shows
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Jan 04, 2009Is a university a research institute with students, or and educational institution with research around the edges – or something in between?
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Why do some people have a strange desire to do weird things for no (good) reason? There's something fascinating about kids who eat laundry soap as part of a “challenge,” or people who deliberately... Read more
Making a better world would be a great thing—but do we need philosophers to help us do that? Famously (or infamously), not all philosophers have been such great people. So are they the folks we... Read more
In her time—the 4th century CE—Hypatia was one of the most famous philosophers in Alexandria, and indeed in the ancient world. She studied and taught mathematics,... Read more
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Your friendly neighborhood Senior Prodcuer here, once again stepping out from behind the mixing board to bring you some bonus content from this week's 17th (!) annual Summer Reading special.... Read more
Gender is a controversial topic these days. To some, gender is an oppressive system designed to keep women down: people go around saying "girls are made of sugar and spice and boys are made of... Read more
Fascism is on the rise, new infectious diseases keep cropping up, and we’re on the verge of environmental collapse: how on earth could art possibly save us? The arts are may be nice distraction,... Read more
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