My intent is not to be difficult, flip, nor even cute, but rather to refocus the conversation in terms of the student's own values and goals. The simple truth of the matter is that you can do almost anything with an undergraduate degree in Philosophy that you can with one in Business Economics, Physics, Chemistry, English, History, Psychology, or whatnot. Unless you plan to pursue advanced study in a particular field, one Liberal Arts degree is more or less equivalent to any other.

That said, I must hasten to add that our majors have traditionally done very well in the job market. Naturally, the credit belongs as much to the students as it does to their training. Philosophy tends to attract better-than-average students. It is not surprising that they should succeed in any task to which they set their minds.

Graduates find that studying Philosophy has helped sharpen their skills and given them an even greater edge than they had when they first entered college. They have been trained to listen attentively, respond with honesty and clarity, and argue forcefully for what they believe is right. They have learned to think both creatively and critically, finding solutions to complex and difficult problems. And because they have been educated on a wide range of important issues, they are able to present themselves as knowledgeable, responsible individuals in almost any context or circumstance which may arise.

As you might expect, their career choices mirror the individualism one typically finds in a Philosophy student. A quick and incomplete survey of our 1996 graduates finds one working in the computer industry, one employed by a bank, one pursuing a Masters of Social Work at Columbia University, and one studying law at Tulane. Perhaps the most unique career choice of the year belongs to a young man who has joined the ranks of professional snowboarders.

Many Philosophy majors pursue graduate study of one sort or another. Law school appears to be the most popular choice, but a sizeable number opt for medicine, the ministry, or graduate work in an academic discipline such as Philosophy, English, Anthropology, Psychology, or a host of others. They attend topnotch institutions, often with full scholarships. Students who earn advanced degrees in Philosophy frequently end up teaching, but it is also an excellent preparation for careers in computer design, systems analysis, and even politics.

In sum, you can do almost anything you like with a degree in Philosophy. It opens a multitude of doors. The choice is up to you.