|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
How has your philosophy major been helpful in graduate work or in finding a job? With my life's partner of 27 years I began a farm stress hotline for New York state. I've done some writing about nature (published). The major was perfect for finance; finance companies like "liberal arts" majors (vs. business majors) because they want to do the training themselves fresh from the start. The major has not been helpful in finding a job. However, the skills learned have been extremely valuable. Philosophy has helped me to understand legal theories and to accept the aberrational results often generated by judges who don't. Critical thinking and analysis have helped me to understand things (spiritual and otherwise) better than I might have had I not been involved in philosophy. The major was very helpful in graduate school and in work. Philosophy improved my reasoning, logical skills, and encouraged me to always think things through. To be frank, I think it works the other way around. The same traits of mind that lead one to an interest in philosophy are also brought to bear in everyday life. If one has the intellectual traits that make philosophy appealing in the first place, then surely philosophy does not hinder one in everyday life. Philosophy gave me initial exposure to certain ideas and arguments and provided the discipline necessary to be able to think appreciatively and critically, thus enabling me to write a book on philosophy and to come up with better ways of doing things. Philosophy helped me to listen to others' opinions and views. My philosophy minor probably helped me get into a graduate philosophy program. I am a better listener, more quick on my feet, more open to other people's way of thinking, and more confident in my own point of view. The editor of the magazine for which I reported had a BA in philosophy, so I suppose he felt sympathetically toward me at the interview. The core of my thinking was reshaped at the [Philosophy] department at New Paltz. Philosophy gave me a demonstrated ability to think critically and insightfully. I believe it was the best choice for me because I explored myself in depth. I also developed my writing, analytic and perceptive skills. Admittedly, direct employment opportunities are few; however, the type of training philosophical study provides is immensely useful throughout life. My philosophy major was essential for my graduate experiences and allowed me to teach an introductory level course for one quarter as graduate teaching assistant. The philosophy major in itself is not especially helpful to one with immediate interests in vocational pursuits. However, in work it is helpful in allowing one to recognize what is important. It gives my mind something to do while working in the mundane world; it has given me new ways of thinking and seeing and will hopefully be helpful in my pursuit of graduate study. I have not yet pursued graduate work, although I expect my writing skills to help in a graduate degree program. I think that a degree in philosophy implies intelligence to an employer. Philosophy helped me to pick up large, new concepts quickly. It has only been helpful in my having a greater knowledge of our product than most of my co-workers (at the Book Company).
Has your philosophy major been helpful in everyday life? It helps in raising children: great discussions (the "Examined Life") are always underway. With every book I read, or conversation I hold, my schooling in philosophy proves helpful. The ability to master complex material has enabled me to train myself in many fields, including computer science. Philosophy enables one to have a broader view of events in daily life and to put them in a rational perspective. Yes, it is helpful in making ethical decisions and, more generally, in critical thinking. Yes, in questioning and reasoning. I'm not sure that it changes one's experiences, but in that it enriches them, yes! It gave me an essential, initial exposure to this subject and scarcely a day passes that I have not derived great pleasure from thinking about some topic or issue related to philosophy. I have learned to look at life from different perspectives. I rarely get bored because there is always something to think about. It has helped make every day more meaningful because I seem to think more clearly about things I observe and feel on a day-to-day basis. The negative influence philosophy has had is that I never lose an argument with my boyfriend and it threatens his happiness with me! Since the main thrust of my activities continues to be academic in nature, I have maintained an active interest in philosophy as it relates to my own field. For better or for worse it altered my blueprint room, therefore affecting all perception and opinion. Philosophy opened doors. It is helpful in that I continue to examine my life, my convictions and the world. My philosophy major has been extremely influential in my everyday life. The extent of that influence is immeasurable. The courses in Eastern Philosophy and Plato were most helpful. It certainly has been helpful in innumerable and ineffable ways. Philosophy has been very essential in my everyday life, as marriage and parenting effectively utilize the logic skills acquired in the major. It has also helped me to cope with my father's death. Philosophy has allowed me to see the bindings of culture and society, and so choose the appropriate path. Philosophy has broadened my understanding of culture, history, human behavior, as well as my own "big questions" about life, or course! I still enjoy reading philosophy and thinking about philosophical problems. |
