What should I do after M.A. Philosophy?

[Ben Kenobi]

I'm sorry to say but unless you really, really have a passion to teach the subject you are majoring in, liberal arts degrees are pretty useless. At least with some liberal arts subjects like, English and History, you can go on to become a teacher but with something like philosophy, you are very limited in your options.

It depends on what else you have to go with it. It's sort of like having a butter, or eggs in a recipe. You can't make a cake without one, but it isn't readily apparant to the outside that you need them for a cake. It's a talent that can help with many other jobs, provided you have the interest and inclination in the field you intend to start your career. Philosophy isn't about giving you a direction, it's about giving you the ability to generate ideas, structure arguments, learn how and why ideas work and why they are successful.

As for history, it's only useless to bosses who aren't all that creative. I can write and edit anything, be it press releases or newspapers, books and journals, thesis, or high school homework assignments. I can do ad copy, media relations, interviews. I can do research, work an archive. I can train, which is a big plus. Sure, teaching is the biggest occupation, and I do intend to go into teaching, but there are plenty of 'fringe benefits' so to say.

I have found at least with myself, that there are plenty of occupations that would benefit simply from having someone with the perspective of a historian, at least in archiving and storing things for future use. That is what we are trained in.

I don't think I learned anything that couldn't have been read in a book when I majored in history.

That's a rather odd way of looking at things. The whole reason you have books is because someone decided there was an idea worth preserving. History is all about books. No books, no history.

If I could go back in time, I would have definitely dropped it in favor of something else like transferring to a uni that offered entomology as a major instead of only a minor. Though I'm not exactly sure how much more marketable entomology is. In fact, I probably should've put off college for a few years since I really had no idea what I wanted to do when I started.

I won't say it was the same case for Architecture since its not entirely a liberal arts field but it does require a lot of intensive and detailed work for mediocre pay.

I would caution anyone to get a trade as well. I think balance is a good thing, and I would love it if all the science majors had at least some exposure and training in philosophy and arts, because that will make them more well-rounded then they would be otherwise.

[Drake Tungsten]

That just blew my mind.

If only dogs could blow people.

[Asher]

It depends on what else you have to go with it. It's sort of like having a butter, or eggs in a recipe. You can't make a cake without one, but it isn't readily apparant to the outside that you need them for a cake. It's a talent that can help with many other jobs, provided you have the interest and inclination in the field you intend to start your career. Philosophy isn't about giving you a direction, it's about giving you the ability to generate ideas, structure arguments, learn how and why ideas work and why they are successful.

As for history, it's only useless to bosses who aren't all that creative. I can write and edit anything, be it press releases or newspapers, books and journals, thesis, or high school homework assignments. I can do ad copy, media relations, interviews. I can do research, work an archive. I can train, which is a big plus. Sure, teaching is the biggest occupation, and I do intend to go into teaching, but there are plenty of 'fringe benefits' so to say.

I have found at least with myself, that there are plenty of occupations that would benefit simply from having someone with the perspective of a historian, at least in archiving and storing things for future use. That is what we are trained in.



That's a rather odd way of looking at things. The whole reason you have books is because someone decided there was an idea worth preserving. History is all about books. No books, no history.



I would caution anyone to get a trade as well. I think balance is a good thing, and I would love it if all the science majors had at least some exposure and training in philosophy and arts, because that will make them more well-rounded then they would be otherwise.

Ben, just tell everyone. What job do you have right now that your BA gave you?

[KrazyHorse]

Doesn't he work as a clerk at a grocery store or something?

[Wezil]

Clerks

Ben

[Ben Kenobi]

Answer the question Asher. I'll be happy to answer yours if you answer mine.

Do you sincerely believe that the only value that a subject has to offer society has to do with remuneration?

Yes or no?

[Ben Kenobi]

Doesn't he work as a clerk at a grocery store or something?

Not quite.

I was contracted to assist in building an online store for a religious goods/health food store/pharmacy called Ave Maria. I compiled all the product information they had, researched and wrote new stuff for what they didn't already have, found pictures or took them for everything. I also developed a new inventory database for them at the same time, because their older version was rather confused and patchwork, one that could be used both for the online store and for their current system so that the two would be coordinated.

[Riesstiu IV]

That's a rather odd way of looking at things. The whole reason you have books is because someone decided there was an idea worth preserving. History is all about books. No books, no history.

It isn't just about books but analysis of historical events and looking at the greater picture over long periods of time.

That's not the point I'm making though. If someone has a passion for history you don't need a teacher or a degree. You could very well study history at your own accord and if your bold enough, you could write your own book. Some of the best historical works are done by amateurs. John Julius Norwich never even bothered learning history in school, yet he managed to write the premiere work on Byzantine history.

Unfortunately, a History degree itself has very limited use in most fields of work, and is only needed if you need a piece of paper to teach in public schools or possibly as a precursor to law school.

[Asher]

Do you sincerely believe that the only value that a subject has to offer society has to do with remuneration?

If a subject is to be publicly subsidized in any way, shape, or form then it does need to contribute back to society in a meaningful way. Whether this is by training doctors, scientists, software developers, engineers, musicians, actors, or anything else doesn't matter.

When you have fields like Philosophy -- which by and large are only used by pretentious douchebags who find it personally interesting, it's not of any value.

The idea that we need philosophers for guidance on ethics is horse****. The idea that we need philosophers to tell us how to construct arguments is even more horse****.

Philosophy is Thinking 101. The problem is you can't teach thinking, even though philosophy tries. This is why Philosophy degrees are the most worthless of all -- it doesn't tell you anything about the person. If somebody does a math degree, at least you can have faith in their analytical abilities to do other things. If somebody has a philosophy degree, all it tells you is they were immensely stupid in picking a major.

[Asher]

Not quite.

I was contracted to assist in building an online store for a religious goods/health food store/pharmacy called Ave Maria. I compiled all the product information they had, researched and wrote new stuff for what they didn't already have, found pictures or took them for everything. I also developed a new inventory database for them at the same time, because their older version was rather confused and patchwork, one that could be used both for the online store and for their current system so that the two would be coordinated.

This is **** you'd hire high school students to do...

[Ben Kenobi]

That's not the point I'm making though. If someone has a passion for history you don't need a teacher or a degree. You could very well study history at your own accord and if your bold enough, you could write your own book. Some of the best historical works are done by amateurs. John Julius Norwich never even bothered learning history in school, yet he managed to write the premiere work of Byzantine history.

I consider that a feature, not a flaw of history. You shouldn't need professors to be competent, but professors are unfortunately required for certification.

[Ben Kenobi]

This is **** you'd hire high school students to do...

Oh, right. Having them write stuff on pharmaceuticals where if it's wrong, you could kill someone? Call me when you hitch a ride on the clue train.

[Asher]

Oh, right. Having them write stuff on pharmaceuticals where if it's wrong, you could kill someone? Call me when you hitch a ride on the clue train.

If it was that serious, the company is in serious trouble for having you put in that position without qualifications.

What's their name again?

[Ben Kenobi]

If a subject is to be publicly subsidized in any way, shape, or form then it does need to contribute back to society in a meaningful way.

So you honestly think without public subsidy there would be no history, not art, no music, etc? Public subsidy benefits engineers and science folks, just as much as it benefits arts students. Who do you think pays for your labs at the universities? Science students receive far more in public subsidies, since most arts programs only require a book, a desk, blackboard and a wastepaper basket to throw away paper.

Science did nothing for thousands of years until the governments of europe began to engage in public subsidy of their pursuits. Look at Tycho and the island of Hveen? Do you think he would have been as successful, if he did not have a patron?

When you have fields like Philosophy -- which by and large are only used by pretentious douchebags who find it personally interesting, it's not of any value.

There's only one pretentious douchebag here, and that's you. The whole concept that the value of a subject is afflicted by public subsidy, well that's a Randian for you. I am not a Randian. But then I think you believe you devise that philosophy yourself?

The idea that we need philosophers for guidance on ethics is horse****. The idea that we need philosophers to tell us how to construct arguments is even more horse****.

The fact that you rely on a philosopher well known for her book which was not publicly subsidised for the ideas you charge against philosophy, is hilarious. What do you think Rand was? She wasn't a computer scientist.

Philosophy is Thinking 101. The problem is you can't teach thinking, even though philosophy tries. This is why Philosophy degrees are the most worthless of all -- it doesn't tell you anything about the person. If somebody does a math degree, at least you can have faith in their analytical abilities to do other things. If somebody has a philosophy degree, all it tells you is they were immensely stupid in picking a major.

I would hire a philosophy major. Idea people are always valuable.

[Ben Kenobi]

If it was that serious, the company is in serious trouble for having you put in that position without qualifications.

Again, see clue train. I'm glad to see that you are on board now. Welcome to the world of reality.

Oh, and I should I guess answer your question. Right now, I'm working with a friend of mine to edit her book for publication. I've also been selling some articles I've written in the past, and tutoring some chem students and first year science students at the college.

I was hoping to get a job with inventory control for the local library, but I was turned down. If I don't find something up here I'll go back to school to get my certificate.