Careers by Major - Philosophy

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Careers for graduates

A degree in philosophy provides a variety of intellectual and applied skills that are valuable in a range of careers. The wide variety of careers philosophy graduates have moved on to is a reflection of the diversity of skills gained through an undergraduate program and highlights the importance of extracurricular, volunteer and work experiences to supplement your skills and focus them to a particular industry.

Note: This is not an exhaustive list as there are many other careers available. Many positions require additional education or experience.

  • Counsellor*
  • Community Organizer
  • Social Worker*
  • Lobbyist*
  • Research Assistant
  • Political Aide*
  • Speech Writer
  • Intelligence Officer
  • Foreign Service Officer*
  • Public Policy Analyst*
  • Biomedical Ethics Researcher
  • Lawyer
  • Legal Researcher
  • Police Officer*
  • Paralegal Assistant*
  • Underwriter*
  • Journalist*
  • Technical Writer
  • Editor*
  • Alumni Relations Officer
  • Archivist*
  • Editor
  • Humanities Bibliographer
  • Librarian*
  • Professor
  • Psychologist
  • Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs
  • Special Program Administrator
  • Advertising Account Executive *
  • Development Manager
  • Human Resources Specialist*
  • Financial Advisor
  • Marketing Specialist*
  • Insurance Agent*
  • Real Estate Agent*
  • Computer Systems Analyst
  • Programmer

Note: career profiles for many of the above jobs are available in the Career Centre. Those marked with an asterisk(*) can be viewed using Career Cruising, a Cdn. electronic career guide available in the Centre

Skills developed by philosophy majors

Written/oral communication:

  • Interviewing people to obtain information about their attitudes, customs, and beliefs;
  • Cultural sensitivity
  • Working cooperatively with others
  • Understanding group dynamics
  • Adapting to varied cultural conditions
  • Presenting/defending a position
  • Summarizing results
  • Writing clearly

Information gathering:

  • Interpreting data/relationships
  • Reading and analyzing complex texts
  • Sorting, compiling and ranking information

Critical thinking/problem solving:

  • Excellent experience in critical reading
  • Ability to reason logically
  • Synthesizing ideas
  • Linking specific issues to broad concepts
  • Identifying key issues in decision-making or problem solving
  • Weighing alternatives and identifying solutions
  • Formulating questions relevant to clarifying a particular problem, topic, or issue

Research methodology/statistics:

  • Working independently
  • Identifying problems and needs

Ethics/values:

  •  Identifying and clarifying values

Sample job listings for graduating students/recent graduates

Below is a sample of the types of positions that have recently been posted with the Career Centre for graduating students or recent graduates. To access full-time opportunities (for up to two years after graduation), you must first attend an orientation. Drop by or call us at 905-828-5451 for more information.

  • Human Resource Worker - Trillium Health Centre
  • Manager Analysis - Georgia-Pacific Corporation
  • Investment Representative - Edward Jones
  • Analyst - Mercer Management Consulting
  • Recruiter/Sales Trainee - Allegis Group Canada
  • Product Manager - Electro Sonic Inc.
  • Client Services - Fidelity Investments Canada Ltd.
  • Sales Consultant - KONE Inc.
  • Customer Satisfaction Specialist - MBNA Canada

How to get experience

Start early by seeking relevant summer, part-time and volunteer opportunities that will help you gain experience and develop the skills that employers want. Below is a sample of the types of temporary positions that have recently been posted with the Career Centre. To access the summer, part-time, temporary and volunteer postings, register with the Career Centre Online.

Summer/Part-Time Positions 

  • Underwriting Assistant, ACE-INA Insurance
  • Administrative Assistant, Arbour Memorial Services
  • Customer Service Representative, Axidata Inc.
  • Sales Representative, Biovail Corporation
  • Secretary, Brookfield Properties Corporation

Volunteer

  • Drop in Assistant, Ontario Early Years Centre
  • Volunteer, Scarborough Stroke Group
  • Creative Writer, U of T Blue Sky Solar Racing Team
  • Volunteer Webmaster, Himalaya Institute
  • Editorial Consultant, Maywater Investor Journal

Work-Study - previous postings have included:

  • Research Assistant, U of T Institute of History and Philosophy, Science and Technology
  • Philosophy Website Assistant, U of T Mississauga Dept. of Philosophy
  • Scientific Images Cataloguer, U of T Institute of History and Philosophy, Science and Technology
  • Cataloguer of Arabic Manuscripts, U of T, Dept. of Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations
  • History of Science Instrument Cataloguer, U of T Institute of History and Philosophy, Science and Technology

Internships

  • Merchandise Analyst, Club Monaco
  • Marketing Assistant, Harry Rosen
  • Information Analyst, Imperial Oil Ltd.
  • Information Technician, Royal & Sun Alliance
  • Administrative Assistant, Toronto Hydro

Extern Job Shadowing Program - previous placements:

  • Guidance Counsellor, Turner Fenton Secondary School
  • Lawyer, Federal Prosecution Services, Old City Hall
  • Archivist, Canadian Opera Company
  • Manager, Ministry of Community, Family and Children’s Services

Check the UofT Internship Directory Database for on-campus internship listings. You must register and login to the Career Centre Online to access this database.

Don't forget about U of T Mississauga alumni!

Check out our Alumni Profiles page, to read profiles of UTM alumni who have studied in this area, find out about their career path and how their experiences have affected their career direction.

Research Opportunity Program (ROP) at U of T Mississauga

You can gain experience by volunteering to participate in faculty member’s research project. To do so, approach the professor with whom you would like to work or apply for U of T Mississauga’s Research Opportunity Program (ROP).

Join a Club or Association

The Undergraduate Philosophy Course Union, St. George Campus: runs debates, symposia and “meet the professor” events. Provides links to Canadian philosophy organizations and departments and connections to Professors/students for academic and career support.

The Canadian Philosophical Association is a primarily academic organization, so for those seeking further involvement in academia after graduation, this would be a good place to start. Offers reduced rates for student membership.

Resources

Career Centre Library Resources:

Web Links:

Lists of possible career paths open to Philosophy majors, with an outline of why Philosophy grads are suited to each one: Fordham University, New York

The Career Centre Resource Library is located in DV 3094. For more information please visit us, call 905-828-5451 or e-mail: careers.utm@utoronto.ca

What's your next step? Take a look at our Sample Career Plan to see suggested steps that you can take towards developing your career-work search plan. Check our Events Calendar regularly for upcoming career related events (we offer several networking events and panels throughout the year). Watch for our Get Experience Fair (held annually in September), the Graduate and Professional School Fair (held annually in late September or early October), and the Summer Job Fair (held annually in January).