Philosophy - using your degree
From CareersWiki
Contents |
Introduction
A degree from Scotland's first university is an excellent start to any future career. St Andrews has a reputation for excellence and the ability to attract the brightest students world wide. With this as a starting point you are well on the way to impressing future employers.
Figures from the Higher Education Statistics Agency show philosophy graduates, once derided as unemployable layabouts, are in growing demand from employers. The number of all graduates in full-time and part-time work six months after graduation has risen by 9% between 2002-03 and 2005-06; for philosophy graduates it has gone up by 13%. It is in the fields of finance, property development, health, social work and the nebulous category of "business" that those versed in Plato and Kant are most sought after. In "business", property development, renting and research, 76% more philosophy graduates were employed in 2005-06 than in 2002-03. In health and social work, 9% more. The Higher Education Careers Services Unit (Hecsu), which also collates data of this kind, agrees philosophers are finding it easier to secure work. Philosophers have always come in handy in the workplace with their grounding in analytical thinking. Why, only now, are they so prized by employers?
Lucy Adams, human resources director of Serco, a services business and a consultancy firm, says: "Philosophy lies at the heart of our approach to recruiting and developing our leadership, and our leaders. We need people who have the ability to look for different approaches and take an open mind to issues. These skills are promoted by philosophical approaches."
Fiona Czerniawska, director of the Management Consultancies Association's think tank, says: "A philosophy degree has trained the individual's brain and given them the ability to provide management-consulting firms with the sort of skills that they require and clients demand. These skills can include the ability to be very analytical, provide clear and innovative thinking, and question assumptions."
Deborah Bowman, associate dean for widening participation at St George's, University of London, which offers medicine and health sciences courses, says philosophers are increasingly sought after by the NHS: "Graduates of philosophy who come in to graduate-entry medicine, or to nursing courses, are very useful. Growth areas in the NHS include clinical ethicists, who assist doctors and nurses. Medical ethics committees and ethics training courses for staff are also growing. More and more people are needed to comment on moral issues in healthcare, such as abortion.'' Jessica Shepherd, The Guardian, Tuesday 20 November 2007
"A graduate today can fully expect to still be in the world of work in 2058. The one thing we can be certain of is that we will be applying skills that we haven’t even thought of today. We will have to relearn and relearn and relearn… Being able to think laterally, having good analytical skills, being an effective communicator… employers are beginning to ask ‘Where are we going to find these skills?’… Philosophy in particular is one of those disciplines that employers have started to recognise as having more about it that links to the world of work than they might have imagined."' As quoted by Carl Gilleard, chief executive of the Association of Graduate Recruiters in Fearn (2009)
Well Known Philosophy Graduates from St Andrews:
Well Known Philosophy Graduates:
- Harrison Ford – actor (Ripon College, Wisconsin))
- Iris Murdoch - author (Newnham College, Cambridge)
- Pope John Paul II - (Krakow Academy)
- Philip Glass – composer (University of Chicago)
- Michael Frayn – playwright and novelist (Emmanuel College, Cambridge)
Student / Alumni Profiles
TBC
Where Our Graduates Go
| Year of Graduation | Organisation/Company | Position | Philosophy Required | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Volunteer Centre Edinburgh | Youth Work Administrator | Not directly | |
| 2011 | Royal Bank of Scotland | Business Analyst | Not directly | |
| 2011 | Ayima Search Marketing | Content Writer | Not directly | |
| 2010 | Data Advance | Consultant | Not directly | |
| 2010 | Teach First | English Teacher | Not directly | |
| 2009 | Walkers Shortbread | Production Operative | Not directly | |
| 2009 | Zenith Optimedia | Media Assistant - Planning Team | Not directly | |
| 2009 | University of St Andrews | MLitt Philosophy | Yes | |
| 2009 | C&K Productions | Producer | Not directly | |
| 2009 | London School of Economics and Political Science | MSc Philosophy and Public Policy Philosophy | Yes | |
| 2009 | Steria | Computer Technician First Line | Not directly | |
| 2006 | Warrington Borough Council (CAN) | Policy and Performance Officer | Not directly | |
| 2003 | Accenture S L, Barcelona (CAN) | Financial Consultant | Not directly | |
| 2001 | Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey (CAN) | Associate Professor | Not directly | |
| 1996 | Burns & Levinson LLP, Boston (CAN) | Attorney | Not directly | |
| 1988 | University of Glasgow (CAN) | Director of Corporate Communications | Not directly | |
| 1972 | Adam Smith Institute (CAN) | Research Director | Not directly |
Careers Alumni Network (CAN) indicates these alumni are willing and keen to be contacted to help St Andrews students with their careers search.
Where Our Postgraduates Go
| Year of Graduation | Organisation/Company | Position | Philosophy Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | New York University | Lecturer | Yes |
| 2010 | Penelope Ventures | Business Development | Not directly |
| 2009 | Saltire Society | Promotions Strategist | Not directly |
| 2009 | Beam Global Spirits & Wine | Junior Brand Manager | Not directly |
| 2009 | Teach First Deutschland | Teach First Deutschland Fellow | Not directly |
| 2009 | Allianz Investment Management SE | Analyst | Not directly |
| 2007 | University Of Leeds | Research Fellow | Yes |
| 2006 | Starcom | Account Executive | Not directly |
| 2006 | McKinsey | Consultant | Not directly |
Popular Jobs for Philosophy Graduates Nationally
In 2010, six months after graduation, nearly half of philosophy graduates were in paid employment in the UK or overseas. Areas of work employing large numbers were business and finance (10%), commercial, industrial and public sector management (10%) and marketing, sales and advertising (8%).
At this stage, almost 30% of those in employment were found in either clerical and secretarial or retail, catering and bar jobs. However, it is unlikely that this pattern will be representative of the long-term destinations of philosophy graduates as, like many arts and humanities graduates, they will often take longer to make career decisions and enter a graduate profession.
Summer Internships & Work Experience
It can be very valuable to gain experience of work in various areas, but particularly in those areas that you are considering as a future career.
- The University Careers Centre has information on vacation jobs and internships in the US
- If you'd like to stay in St Andrews over the summer, you might want to apply for the St Andrews Summer Internship Scheme.
- Remember to network with students in more senior years, tutors, family and friends they may have suggestions and contacts.
- The Undergraduate Research Internship Programme (URIP) was launched in 2008 by the University of St Andrews. Under the URIP scheme, the University funds 20 undergraduates to carry out research over ten weeks during the summer vacation. The students work on independent projects under the guidance and supervision of a member of academic staff. Look out on the website for application forms which normally have to be returned by the end of April.
- Several penultimate year students have been successful in getting a paid summer internship with the Saltire Foundation. These are global experiences in USA, Japan, Cayman Islands and others.
- If you are interested in teaching or other work with children the University runs schemes in partnerships with local education authorities which give students access to school pupils. To find out more contact the staff involved by e-mail, schools.access@st-andrews.ac.uk .More Schools are offering the UK Undergraduate Ambassadors Scheme, which requires students to spend up to 25 hours working within a Primary or Secondary school or Science centre. The module is assessed and contributes towards the final degree outcome.
- Joining a society and particularly taking on a role of responsibility can impress future employers and also enhance employability skills such as - team working, negotiation, event management, controlling budgets, leadership etc. Have a look at the case study from a student who made the most of his time at St Andrews through involvement in societies. At St Andrews you have a wealth of societies to choose from. Here are a few relevant examples:
- Philosophy Society Holds events and has links to useful philosophical resources.
- Philosophy Club Acts as a forum for visiting speakers.
Employability Profile
Skills
The profile below identifies the skills that can be developed through the study of your discipline based on subject benchmark statements developed by UK higher education academic communities.
This table is able to help you to identify the valuable skills that you can offer to potential employers.
| A graduate in Philosophy typically will have: | Evidence: |
|---|---|
| the ability to analyse problems in a multi dimensional way | tbc |
| the ability to think creatively, self critically and independently | tbc |
| self-motivation | tbc |
| the ability to work autonomously | tbc |
| time and priority management skills | tbc |
| a flexible mind adaptable to managing change. | tbc |
Philosophy Careers/Employability Link
Each School has a Careers/Employability Link who "champions" employability. Yours is Dr Katherine Hawley. If you have any information you consider important for your fellow students please let her know. Alternatively you can complete a "profile" which enables you to share your experiences with other students.
