Inside Philosophy
VCU College of Humanities and Sciences

Inside Philosophy is part of a series of brochures relating VCU majors to occupational fields. The information in this pamphlet can help you with planning your education and career.

Philosophy deals with basic questions from all areas of life and thought - science, religion, art, morality, and politics. The study of philosophy helps students grapple with fundamental issues underlying many different subjects, learn to relate these subjects to each other, and understand the whole map of knowledge. Specialty areas in philosophy include ethics, metaphysics, and epistemology.

Through the general education requirements, taken in the freshman and sophomore years, students typically develop the following skills:

• curiosity and intellectual ability to ask the right questions - to think critically.
• interpersonal skills to understand and influence others.
• ability to communicate, in writing and orally, along with the ability to analyze and synthesize information.
• a breadth of background from the sciences, mathematics, social sciences, and humanities.
• a sense of ethics that will not be compromised by immediate personal gain or prejudice.

Some of the skills students often develop include the following:

• ability to reason and think critically.
• ability to formulate and defend positions clearly.
• ability to analyze problems and propose solutions.
• strong writing and reading skills.

Typical coursework might include the following:

• Critical Thinking
• Formal Logic
• Ethical Theory
• Philosophy of Law
• Mind and Reality
• Social and Political Philosophy
• Indian Tradition
• The Chinese Tradition in Philosophy
• Medical Ethics
• Aesthetics
• Zen Buddhism

Students will find these types of experiences particularly helpful in making themselves more marketable:

• Take electives related to your career goals (for example, in business management, marketing, or mass communications) or minor in a supporting area such as psychology.
• Arrange for an internship or part-time employment.
• Enroll in the Cooperative Education program to gain valuable work experience.
• Participate in, and take on leadership roles in, extracurricular activities.

In order to pursue careers directly related to philosophy or religious studies, graduate study is necessary. However, those students with appropriate supplemental experience (see above) find work in a variety of occupational areas:

• Advertising Worker
• Editorial Assistant
• FBI/CIA Agent
• Insurance Agent
• Law (or Lawyer)
• Non-profit Agency Worker
• Personnel Interviewer
• Public Relations Worker
• Research Assistant
• Retail Management Trainee
• Sales Representative
• Technical Writer
• Youth Program Coordinator

Students who pursue a Ph.D. in philosophy teach at the college level. Philosophy majors often go to graduate school in different fields, such as education, law, medicine, or business.

Further information is available at the Career Center (Commons, first floor) or through the division:

Virginia Commonwealth University
College of Humanities and Sciences
Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies
Stark House, 915 W. Franklin St.
PO Box 842025
Richmond VA 23284-2025

804-828-1224
Fax: 804-828-8714
Web: www.vcu.edu/hasweb/phi/phi_home.html

This brochure is published by the VCU Career Development Council in cooperation with academic departments.

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