Philosophy
Learn more about the Philosophy program by visiting the Department of Philosophy website.
Philosophy majors develop a range of skills that support a variety of occupations. Below are some examples of those skills, as well as sample occupations where those skills may be used.
These are not exhaustive lists, but they can help you see how your skills as a Philosophy major are relevant in the workplace.
What skills do Philosophy majors bring to the workplace?
- The ability to organize ideas and issues, deal with questions of value, and extract what is essential from masses of information
- The ability to synthesize a variety of views or perspectives into a unified whole
- Analysis of concepts, definitions, and problems, and presentation of ideas through well-constructed, systematic arguments
In addition, as an Arts student, you develop strong research, analytical, and communication skills by completing research projects, writing papers and proposals, delivering presentations, and conducting field work. You also develop the ability to work in a team through group work involving people from a variety of professional, academic, and cultural backgrounds.
What are some career possibilities to consider?
Occupations that Philosophy graduates might pursue include:
Advertising copywriter
- Copywriters use creativity and strong communication skills to write effective and appealing advertisements to promote a positive image for a company and persuade customers to buy their products.
- Learn more about becoming an advertising copywriter at Career Cruising (Campus-Wide Login required).
Civil litigator
- Civil litigators use their ability to develop persuasive arguments and conduct research to represent clients in civil court cases between individuals and/or organizations.
- Learn more about becoming a civil litigator at Career Cruising (Campus-Wide Login required).
Sales representative
- Sales representatives require strong communication skills to present persuasive arguments in promoting a product or service while keeping a customer’s tastes, wants and needs in mind.
- Learn more about becoming a sales representative at Career Cruising (Campus-Wide Login required).
Next Steps
1. Explore your career options
Career Cruising is an online listing of occupational profiles. To explore your career options:
- Log in using your Campus-Wide Login
- Click “Explore Careers” in the left-hand menu
- Type in an occupation to view its profile
- Select the occupation and learn more by clicking the following menu items.
| Menu item | What you’ll learn |
|---|---|
| Job description | Skills and qualifications the employer wants in applicants, and duties/tasks of the position. |
| Education | Educational requirements for the career, including additional training and certification. |
| Earnings | Expected earnings or salary ranges. Note: These are general estimates of salary ranges. Actual salaries vary with your experience and where you work. |
| Working conditions, photos |
The occupation’s work environment. |
| Sample career path | Chart the roles people have taken to help develop the skills and experience necessary for their ideal role, beginning with entry-level positions. |
| Related careers | Other occupations that might be of interest. |
| Other resources | Networks and professional associations that offer opportunities to network, access job postings, volunteer opportunities and more. |
2. Build your portfolio at UBC
Don’t wait until after graduation to get started on your career. As a UBC student, you can get involved in campus work and leadership opportunities that will help you develop transferable skills and experiences invaluable to your post-graduation work search.
Download these great resources:
- Getting involved at UBC (56KB PDF)
- Making time to get involved (55KB PDF)
High-commitment activities
These programs require a greater time investment, but will likely provide more opportunities for personal growth, skill development and learning.
- Arts Co-op: Gain paid work experience related to your studies.
- Arts Undergraduate Society: Volunteer and have a voice in your student government.
- Community Service Learning courses: Make connections between work and studies as you help out your community.
- UBC Peer Programs: Help other students on campus through one of many programs.
- Go Global: Live and study internationally to gain cross-cultural experience.
- Student Leadership Conference: Join the student planning committee or present a workshop.
- Work Study and Work Learn: Find an on-campus job related to your studies.
Low-commitment activities
Volunteer to work at an event or simply participate. These work and leadership opportunities are great ways to connect with people, develop new skills, and determine your involvement interests.
- Student Leadership Conference: Attend and develop your leadership potential.
- Career Days: Volunteer at UBC’s largest on-campus career fair.
- Reading Week Project: Contribute to your community during the Reading Week break.
3. Access resources and get informed
Career Services workshops and events: Get feedback on your resumé, learn to network like a professional, practice interviews with employers, and more.
Arts Career Expo: Learn from successful UBC Arts alumni at this networking event.
Meet with a Career Educator: Book a 30-minute session for guidance on career planning, job search strategies and career development.
Connect with employers: Check out employer information sessions and the annual Career Days.
