| 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.
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- 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*
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- 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
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| 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
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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.
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| Information Gathering: |
- Interpreting data/relationships
- Reading and analyzing complex texts
- Sorting, compiling and ranking information
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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
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Research Methodology/Statistics: |
- Working independently
- Identifying problems and needs
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| Ethics/Values: |
- Identifying and clarifying values
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| 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.
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Human Resource Worker - Trillium Health Centre |
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Manager Analysis - Georgia-Pacific Corporation
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Investment Representative - Edward Jones |
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Analyst - Mercer Management Consulting |
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Recruiter/Sales Trainee - Allegis Group Canada |
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Product Manager - Electro Sonic Inc. |
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Client Services - Fidelity Investments Canada Ltd. |
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Sales Consultant - KONE Inc. |
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Customer Satisfaction Specialist - MBNA Canada |
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| 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 |
Volunteer |
- Underwriting Assistant
ACE-INA Insurance
- Administrative Assistant
Arbour Memorial Services
- Customer Service Representative
Axidata Inc.
- Sales Representative
Biovail Corporation
- Secretary
Brookfield Properties Corporation
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- 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
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| Work Study |
Internships |
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
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- Merchandise Analyst
Club Monaco
- Marketing Assistant
Harry Rosen
- Information Analyst
Imperial Oil Ltd.
- Information Technician
Royal & Sun Alliance
- Administrative Assistant
Toronto Hydro
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| Extern Job Shadowing Program |
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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
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| 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!
Browse through our alumni profiles to learn about their experiences, thoughts and advice. You can also check out Alumni Career Connections, where you have the potential to contact an alum in your field of interest and learn more about your options.
Here are a few alumni you may be interested in reading about:
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| RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM 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
Join the Philosophy Club and contact Professor Jonathan Weisberg for more information.
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.
Learn from Your Professors
Check out this great presentation from Professor Amy Mullin, Chair of Philosophy, which discusses why to study philosophy, what it can lead to, program options and more! |
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| RESOURCES |
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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 out our Events calendar for upcoming career related events.
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 Back to Careers By Major Search Page |
