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First, some facts. Of the Philosophy graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:
These are estimates based on AI analysis of 718 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 50%, Philosophy graduates have a much lower likelihood (-17%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, 49% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Philosophy graduate.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 50% We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2021 from University of California, Irvine - School of Social Ecology with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in Philosophy. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONLegal Assistant AAA Paralegal Services Oct 2021 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
Analyzing the career paths of philosophy graduates reveals some interesting trends about the relevance of their degrees to the jobs they've taken. Most notably, many philosophy graduates pursue careers in law, education, and academia, utilizing critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and strong analytical skills honed through their studies. However, there is also a substantial portion of graduates who find themselves in unrelated fields, where their philosophical training is only marginally applicable or entirely irrelevant.
The most common and relevant job types for those with a philosophy degree tend to be in the legal profession. Many graduates become law clerks, associates, and attorneys, emphasizing skills such as logical reasoning and ethical considerations which are crucial in legal contexts. For instance, role descriptions indicate that positions like Law Clerk and Associate Attorney consistently require critical thinking and engage with principles learned in philosophy. Other prevalent career paths include roles in academia, such as Adjunct Professors and Teachers, who use philosophical principles to inform their teaching methodologies and engage students in discussions about ethics and reasoning. Additionally, some graduates work as Research Assistants, which often involves analyzing texts and philosophical concepts. These jobs demonstrate a direct connection to a philosophy education and highlight its usefulness in developing the skills necessary for thoughtful analysis and effective argumentation.
On the flip side, a striking number of philosophy graduates end up in positions where their degree seems less relevant. Many find employment in customer service, retail, project management, or administrative roles that are not closely tied to their academic training. Positions like Sales Associate, Operations Manager, or even various roles in hospitality often require skills that can be developed through any number of educational pathways, not specifically in philosophy. For instance, roles that focus primarily on logistics, finance, or technical expertise typically do not call for the critical analysis or ethical reasoning typically emphasized in a philosophy program. This disconnect suggests that while certain skills gleaned from a philosophy background—like improved analytical thinking—can be beneficial in any job, the direct application of philosophical knowledge is often limited in these roles. It poses a question of whether philosophy graduates are fully leveraging their education or if they are falling into jobs that do not utilize the unique skills and insights gained from their degree.
In conclusion, the landscape for philosophy graduates is diverse, with clear pathways leading to directly relevant jobs in law and education, but also a significant number venturing into fields with little application of their philosophical training. It’s a mixed bag, and it underscores the idea that while philosophy can sharpen critical thinking skills and foster ethical reasoning, the job market does not always create the perfect storm for those skills to be fully utilized in practice. The future for philosophy graduates may depend largely on how they market their critical thinking and analytical skills in a variety of job contexts, and whether they can find or create roles that align more closely with their educational background.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Philosophy graduates:
Alright, so let's dive into what these philosophy graduates have been up to after they capped off their university life. When we take a look at the career paths some of these folks have taken, we see quite a mixed bag. For those fresh out of school, like the ones from Colorado State University and the University of California, Berkeley, many of them seem to start off in fairly standard entry-level jobs, like administrative roles or legal assistants. The quick turnover in their first few positions suggests that they may be sorting out what they really want to do, which isn’t unusual for any recent grad, right? For many of them, their early roles seem to align quite well with their degrees, especially in teaching or legal assistance, giving them a chance to use that philosophical know-how right out of the gate.
Fast forward five to ten years later, and it's fascinating to see how the paths have branched. Some graduates, especially those from well-known schools, seem to have navigated toward some solid careers in law, education, or even management positions. For instance, a grad from the University of Houston has moved up the legal ladder and is now an Assistant District Attorney, which is impressive! But, and this is a big 'but,' there are also many others who don’t seem to have landed very relevant roles related to philosophy. Instead, they find themselves entrenched in jobs that feel quite disconnected from their studies. For example, those working in sales, bartending, or even engineering roles might be scratching their heads about how they ended up there. It goes to show that while philosophy as a degree can foster critical thinking and analytical skills, it doesn't always translate directly into a specific career path unless, of course, they follow through with further education in law or education-related fields.
Overall, for students toying with the idea of majoring in philosophy, it’s important to really think about how they plan to leverage their degree. There are certainly graduates who have found success and fulfillment that relates back to philosophy, but there's also a noteworthy chunk who have ventured off into fields that seem almost a world away from their studies. The takeaway? Philosophy can provide a strong foundation for critical thinking and problem-solving, but one might need to be proactive in tailoring their career toward opportunities that truly align with philosophical insights.
Honestly, a Bachelor degree in Philosophy can be a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to difficulty. On one hand, it's not as technical as something like engineering or computer science, which can be a relief. But on the other hand, you'll spend a lot of time grappling with abstract concepts, complex texts, and arguments that challenge the way you think. If you enjoy deep discussions and questioning the world around you, you'll probably find it engaging, but if that stuff sounds like a headache, it might feel tougher than average. Overall, while it may not be the hardest major out there, it definitely requires critical thinking and a willingness to dive into some pretty intense topics, so be prepared for that!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Philosophy.
From examining the job histories of these Philosophy graduates, it seems like financial success varies quite a bit. Some, like the graduates from prestigious institutions like Harvard and Yale, have progressed into high-paying roles or have had several lucrative internships, suggesting they may be earning quite well. For instance, positions such as "Senior Litigation Counsel" and "Associate at a prominent law firm" typically come with substantial salaries. On the flip side, graduates from less prestigious schools or those in roles like "Barista" or "Customer Service Representative" typically start at lower pay grades, which could indicate a more modest income. So, if you're thinking about studying philosophy (or any major, really), it might pay to consider what kinds of careers you see yourself in and how you can strategically navigate your path to a secure financial future.
Overall, while some of these graduates have managed to climb the financial ladder into rewarding positions, others seem to be navigating a bumpy road with less promising financial outcomes. It's a mixed bag, honestly, showing that where you study can impact your earning potential, but so too can your choices and the paths you create post-graduation.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Philosophy. This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Philosophy (ordered by the average relevance score of their Philosophy graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
| College | Score | Count |
|---|---|---|
 University of California, Berkeley
|
59 | 14 |