Career Possibilities for Women in Philosophy Philosophy is not a hard science requiring that problems be worked out with formulas and centuries-old givens. The American Philosophical Association says that, "Philosophy is a basic field of inquiry. Its range encompasses ideas and issues in every domain of human existence; and its methods apply to problems of an unlimited variety. The major in philosophy can develop not only philosophical skills and sophistications but also intellectual abilities that are readily applicable to pursuits in everyday social and personal life."

The options open to women in philosophy are nearly endless. Because the study of philosophy develops critical thinking and analytical skills, it provides a background for careers requiring problem-solving, along with the ability to view issues from other perspectives and develop logical arguments with a sensitivity to the values of others. Philosophy can be the starting point for any number of careers. This is verified by the results of the 1990-1993 Graduate Record Exam, which is taken by students who seek higher education in any area. The results showed that philosophy students ranked 6th out of 50. (GRE)

I have chosen to explore the career possibilities in teaching, law, ministry, mathematics, and journalism.

Field: Professor of Philosophy

Educational Requirements: Masters and doctorate degrees in philosophy are needed to teach at the college level.

Job Possibilities: The web site for the Philosophy Department at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh notes that, "employment prospects in this area have not been very good for several years, and it is uncertain how much they will improve in the coming years." Instead they concentrate on the applications of philosophy to other career areas, pointing out on their graduates list the wide variety of careers that philosophy majors have chosen.

Field: Attorney

Educational Requirements: Harvard Law School prefers that its students have a four-year educational background in a "cultural field" such as economics, literature, government, or philosophy. (Harvard)...

Although no specific score is required, it is viewed as part of a whole application package, which includes college grades and extracurricular activities. Their web site says that the students they accept generally have LSAT scores in the top five percentile and have graduated in the top ten percent of their class. Harvard Law School is a three-year program requiring first year courses in Criminal Law, Contracts, Civil Procedure, Torts, and Property and Legal Reasoning and Argument. To receive the Juris Doctor degree, students must successfully complete all three years worth of courses and produce a "satisfactory piece of written work." Attorneys must also pass a written bar exam given by the state they live in.
Job Possibilities: The legal profession is broken down into various categories. General practices covers the legal needs of people on a daily basis in areas such as divorce, adoptions, probate, family law and real estate transactions. (Missouri) Many general practice attorneys are sole practitioners and work for themselves. The job possibilities are endless for sole practitioners who only have to open an office and advertise their services in the Yellow Pages. However, there is no regular paycheck. Corporate law is confined to businesses. The attorney works only for the corporation handling the day-to-day legal matters of the company. Job possibilities for corporate lawyers depend on the job market, the employment rate, and the state of the economy. Many governments at the federal, state, and local levels keep attorneys on the payroll for the myriad legal matters that must be handled. The job possibilities in government law depend on the need and the specialized skills of the attorney. The legal profession will see growth in the areas of healthcare, intellectual property, international law, elder law, environmental law, and harassment. (Outlook)

Field: Minister

Educational Requirements: The Occupational Outlook Handbook for 2002-03 says that, "Entry requirements vary greatly; many denominations require a bachelor's degree followed…