<p>Anyone know any stats about what kind of jobs out of school Philosophy majors have landed?</p>
<p>The really really smart ones can talk their way into business consulting or finance, because they're just really smart and being an effete intellectual for 4 years didn't really change that.</p>
<p>A good number of the smart ones go to law school. Philosophy is a respected major in law school admissions, as it did in fact require you to think abstractly.</p>
<p>Plenty of the smart ones go to grad school, either in philosophy or a related subject that they had also studied or were interested in.</p>
<p>Those who went to Podunk U and majored in philosophy and were not superstars probably end up in ordinary run-of-the-mill office jobs, paying $30k and not offering much in the way of job security. You can argue what % of columbia students fall into that category but it's probably fairly low.</p>
<p>Agreed. Although I know some philosophy majors who minored in econ and landed some pretty prestigious jobs.</p>
<p>A friend of mine just landed a job with a consulting firm (a really, really good one) and was a philo major.</p>
<p>Well you didn't inquire about graduate school so I guess there's no need to mention Law School which would be the most direct choice.</p>
<p>My advice is that if you're gonna go for one of "these" fields (you know the ones, add film studies and art history to that pile) just be smart and double major it with economics. (I don't think a minor is enough but that's just me)</p>
<p>This greatly increases your odds of finding a job afterwards. With a high GPA, Philosophy + Economics is sure to get some consulting firm's attention. Especially if you add a few good ECs while you're there (i.e. Columbia entrepreneurship club).</p>
<p>That way you get the formation you won't with the added certainty that you won't find yourself serving Lattes with a co-worker named Dave saving up for a prom limo. </p>
<p>It's what I'm doing with film studies. Ideally I would go into a double "Creative Writing + Film Studies" bachelor, but I'm a realist.</p>
<p>your major doesn't really matter if you're going for consulting or banking; it's more about demonstrating competence. and philosophy's abstract/critical thinking ranks it pretty well as far as majors go (though not quite on par with math/physics).</p>
<p>the economics major is chosen usually as a way of showing interest in the field of ____ which can help make a case for yourself with banking firms, but it is by no means required.</p>
<p>What do you guys think of double majoring in physics and philosophy? I love both areas because of the complex thinking that each require.</p>
<p>If you go to a prestigious school, major in philosophy, and then do well, then you'll be demonstrating to possible employers that you are amongst the best and the brightest there is. </p>
<p>Besides, if you're majoring in philosophy, you're probably not doing it for a job, unless you want to be a philosophy professor. Philosophy is something you do for it's own sake because you recognize it's intrinsic value, not to mention its utility.</p>
<p>You could always be a comedian like Steve Martin or Chris Hardwick, the host of Shipmates and MTV's Singled Out.</p>
<p>Hey I was considering in doing either a minor or possible a full blown major if I have time in math, but I was wondering how the math department at Columbia is? How are the professors overall and are students in the major quite happy about their position? </p>
<p>I was also wondering is it possible to do a econ/math double major and premed or would that be a bit much? </p>
<p>Finally, (I know I'm asking too many questions but just hang with me :) ) how much would a math major help with econ, does Columbia prepare you enough to make you an analytical/abstract thinker?</p>
<p>FarrCT - this thread is about philosophy. your questions will get a wider readership if you post them in a new thread.</p>
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A good number of the smart ones go to law school. Philosophy is a respected major in law school admissions, as it did in fact require you to think abstractly.
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<p>It doesn't matter what you major in for law school. I'm not sure what an unrespected major would be for law school admissions, as lots of idiots who major in crap like gender studies make it to top law schools.</p>
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Those who went to Podunk U and majored in philosophy and were not superstars probably end up in ordinary run-of-the-mill office jobs, paying $30k and not offering much in the way of job security. You can argue what % of columbia students fall into that category but it's probably fairly low.
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<p>True. And on a similar note, people who go to Podunk U and major in economics don't make it to PE or hedge funds; rather, they get jobs doing glorified monkey work in the financial sector paying $30k.</p>
<p>Thank you all for the replies. I most likely will go to law school, but not necessarily right after school. Also, another question I had - I think by the end of th eyear I will qualify to do an honors thesis and will probably want to. I was wondering if anyone who has majored in Philosophy has done this, and if it is worht graduating with Honors in Philosophy or that doesn't add much to grad school/job applications.</p>
<p>anyone have any suggestions please?</p>
<p>If you're really not into the double in economics idea then i would probably do the Honors actually. Not saying it will guarantee you a job at a consulting firm (really, for every 1 philosophy major that gets such a job there are about 45 heading for Best Buy) but it will make you stand out and up your chances in consulting.</p>
<p>One option which may be within grasp for you is Administrative Assistant job at a Law firm or with a public court. The pay is....enough to survive, the ivy background and honors is enough to make you a very viable candidate, and it looks great on a Law School application.</p>
<p>I prefer Circuit City.</p>
<p>ehh. I'm pretty sure lion headed was being facetious. Just make sure to do stuff on the side: EC's and the like to demonstrate your professional interests.</p>