University of Sheffield – Careers Service
Survey of the Career Destinations of Philosophy Graduates of
2000, 2001, 2002
Completed in March 2007
by Joy Harrison-Roycroft and Pamela Hafekost
University of Sheffield Careers Service
2
Contents
Section
Number
Section Title
Page
Number
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Introduction
Sample
Employment status
Skills development
Career development steps
Reasons for choosing to study philosophy
Are you glad that you chose to study philosophy?
Comments
Further contact
Summary
1
1
1
2
4
8
9
11
12
12
1
1. Introduction
Every year University Careers Services write to those who have graduated in the last six months in order to
produce statistics relating to the first destination of graduates. The Destination of Leavers from Higher Education
survey helps us to learn more about the experience of graduates since leaving university and can be a valuable
source of information for current students. However, first destination statistics do not necessarily provide a
reliable indicator of longer term career paths or trends, as many graduates are still in transition six months after
graduation and may be, for example, undertaking short term jobs while job hunting, travelling, or taking time
out.
As a result, the Careers Service increasingly also carries out longer-term surveys of graduates, such as this
survey of Philosophy graduates, four to six years after graduation. It is hoped that surveys like this will provide a
more accurate and realistic insight into the development of the working lives of graduates. In addition, this
survey can also provide us with information about the extent to which Philosophy is being used by graduates and
an idea of how they now feel about having studied Philosophy. The survey can also provide us with other useful
information on skills, attitudes towards career options and qualifications gained since graduating. This
information can be used by Careers Advisers to help current Philosophy students as they start to plan their own
careers.
2. Sample
Questionnaires were returned by 31 graduates.
The average age of respondents on graduation was
21.7. 1 graduate was over 30.
Questionnaires were returned by graduates completing the following degree courses:
Degree
Number of respondents
Philosophy
Philosophy with
English Literature
Maths
Psychology
History
Politics
Music
12
MA In Philosophy
PhD in Philosophy
3
2
6
4
1
3
1
1
3. Employment Status

74% of respondents are in Full-time employment,

13% are in Full-time employment and studying.

10% are studying full time.

3% are not employed or studying (where this is for family reasons).
2
4 Skills Development
Number of respondents indicating:
In column A skills developed in current / most recent job
In column B skills developed during degree
Skill
Commercial awareness
Communication skills
Intellectual/analytical skills
Interpersonal skills
IT literacy
Leadership
Management
Numeracy
Presentation skills
Research
Team work
Time management
Written communication skills
A
(Job)
19
27
16
24
19
24
24
13
20
11
27
25
16
B
(Degree)
0
22
29
12
14
3
1
5
17
27
7
23
29
Respondents listed other skills that they use now
Creative and design skills. Negotiation skills (and other specific trade union skills)
Organising people
Finance. Negotiation
Language skills - Learnt abroad, financial management skills (budgeting) - working with children 5 17
Influencing, Managing change, Project management
Staff management and financial management
Diplomacy and Negotiation skills
Pastoral skills
Actuarial skills
Presentation skills
Skills omitted from degree course
Respondents were asked to state if there were any skills omitted from their degree course, which would have
helped them to obtain employment or to carry out their job(s).
Skill
Opportunities to develop communication skills were provided via small group tutorials, but I (and 75% of
other students) needed more encouragement to do this.
3
I did not feel very employable after my degree. I think the groundwork for most skills was set during my
degree but it was not until I started research, then working, that I actually fine tuned them. There is little
emphasis on employable skills at Sheffield, other then via the careers
More emphasis on team presentations - more monitoring of student reading to develop wider reading skills
- peer criticism + feedback - more emphasis during presentations of clear handouts/PowerPoint, report
writing
It would have been fantastic if we had to present using PowerPoint and a computer more as I found that I
had significant deficiencies when applying for jobs etc in Programs like PowerPoint and Excel.
No. It was a great basis for just about anything! (Although further training required)
None. The philosophy dept was very good at preparing its PhD students for the job market
Negotiation skills
IT, team working, interpersonal skills, presentation skills. To be honest I did not struggle to get a job but
still think the skills above would have been valuable
Presentation skills, computer modelling, management
Presentation skills, public speaking/debating. Assessments and exams did not reflect the skills touched on
during the course
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5. Career Development Steps
The following table summarises the steps taken by respondents to bring them to their current role.
Indicates current or previous courses / qualifications
Indicates courses / qualifications to be undertaken
Degree/Study
Step1
Step2
Step3
Step4
BA & MA in Philosophy
Dip in Theology
PhD
PGCE
Lecturer
BA & MA in Philosophy
Temp Work, Clerical,
Banking
Study for a PhD
English & Philosophy BA
PR Executive for LSC
Communications
Manager
English & Philosophy BA
Runner in Film Production
Location Manager
English lit & Philosophy
BA
MA in Philosophy &
English Lit
Overseas Teaching
Trainee Teacher
English Lit & Philosophy
BA
Numerous Temp Admin
Jobs
Media Diploma in
Sound Recording
Customer Services
Technician
English lit & Philosophy
BA
Student Union Officer
Unison Organiser
Unison Regional
Officer in Local
Government
English lit & Philosophy
BA
Civil Service Manager
Designer
Step5
5
History & Philosophy BA
Senior Research Officer
Teaching Assistant
Researcher
Senior Research Officer
History & Philosophy BA
Customer Adviser
Leadership
Development Trainee
MA Philosophy
Admin in Civil Service
Business Manager NHS
Maths & Philosophy BA
MSc Public Policy
Research Assistant
MSc Applied Statistics
Researcher Consultant
Maths & Philosophy BA
Temping
Foundation Course in
Art and Design
Teaching Assistant
Maths & Philosophy BA
Training/Actuary,
Ltd
Pensions Actuary
Maths & philosophy BA
University Research
Statistician (Team
Leader)
Music & Philosophy BA
Nursery Assistant
PGCE Course
Primary Teacher
Philosophy BA
Admin/Temp Work
Teaching Assistant
English Language
Teacher Overseas
Philosophy BA
Brewery Assistant
Study for PhD
MA in English Language
Teaching
Research Adviser
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Philosophy BA
Legal Assistant
PGCE Course
Teacher
Philosophy BA
MA in Modern History
PGCE
Secondary Education
Teaching
Ed.D
Teacher of History and
ICT
Philosophy BA
Press and Sponsorship
Officer
CPE
Legal Practice Course
Paralegal
Trainee Legal Adviser
Philosophy BA
Support Worker
Philosophy BA
Teaching
Philosophy BA
Travelling
MSc Management
Management Position
Part-time MBA
Performance Manager
Philosophy PhD
Lecturer
Philosophy BA
Business management coordinator
Policy & Research
officer
Senior Policy Officer
Senior Project Officer
Philosophy PhD
Post-Doc Researcher
Finance Manager
Politics & Philosophy BA
Corporate co-ordinator
Consultant
7
Psychology & Philosophy
BA
Temp Admin roles
HR Assistant
PT Study for Graduate
CIPD Membership
HR Adviser
Senior HR Adviser
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6. Reasons for choosing to study Philosophy
A very interesting topic, develops an open mind. The ability to identify the key points of an argument
and necessity to engage with and respond directly to the arguments presented by others. A very good
preparation for a wide range of occupations if you are not sure of the direction you will subsequently
take.
An intellectual interest
Because I enjoyed it
Enjoyment of the subject, intellectually challenging
I chose to study maths but have always had an interest in philosophy and I thought the joint honours
would be more interesting. I chose to study at Sheffield because of the joint honours with philosophy. I
went in blind, really but absolutely loved philosophy and found it offered me more then just a straight
maths degree could
I did better in philosophy then history so I swapped to dual honours, from straight history, to pull up
my grades and it worked!
I did not want to study maths all week but wanted to enjoy the debate and study of religion, ethics and
politics
I got an A grade at A level.
I like to question things around us and I enjoy researching
I love to think! I found it fascinating. The reason I knew what philosophy was about was because my
mother started a philosophy degree when I started my A levels. (school advice Re: choosing degree
subjects was woeful
I was interested in it and motivated to study it. Profound- seemingly important!
Intellectual discipline. Intellectual curiosity. I like arguing
Interest and I wanted to study a new subject
Interest and to be honest as a teenager I had a sort of pretentious view of things and I guess it fitted my
self-image
Interest in the subject
Interest in the subject
Interesting. Good at writing
It was a subject which had always interested me
Liked it at A level, wanted variation in degree and thought it would stand out more for future choices
to have two subjects instead of just English lit.
Mainly because I found the subject interesting. However, I was aware of the potential for it to supply
me with useful transferable skills
My Dad did it and I like big questions. I also did not want to leave Sheffield
Personal interest
9
Personal interest
Personal interest and a firm understanding of how to construct a winning argument. Doesn't seem to
work with my wife though…
Previous success in the subject
Sheffield University offered matched funding for PhD students. I received this, and would not have
been funded by the relevant funding body
To enable me to elucidate my thoughts in writing with more clarity
To me philosophy is the basis of all things, a way of understanding the world through different lenses.
I had been pointed towards a couple of books as a teenager and the opportunity not to specialise too
narrowly was one that really appealed to me.
I started a dual honours in French & Philosophy. Was attracted by the idea of doing something new,
and thinking about "Big" ideas. I don't think I really knew what philosophy was about when I chose it,
it just sounded interesting! Liked it so much I switched to a single honours in the second year
7. Are you glad that you chose to study Philosophy?
Absolutely
Combining History with Philosophy has been a fantastic exercise in distinguishing me from other
graduates. I am fascinated by modern history and the modules I completed were both educational and
informing and enjoyable. Without doubt, the skills I obtained from studying both subjects opened
many doors for me in the job market
From an intellectual point of view - yes, from an employers point of view- not sure, there has been no
direct career path
Glad about what I learned, not glad about the lack of career options
Great foundations - broad, humane - a flexible and modern degree.
I am not sure how useful employers will recognise it to be in the future, but in terms of completing
what I myself consider to be a useful and rewarding degree course
I did not know what I wanted to do when I left school or when I graduated. If I had known I wanted to
go into HR then I probably wouldn't have chosen to study philosophy
I enjoyed it and gained valuable analytical skills. However I would have been stronger at a business
degree. I also feel that philosophy is undervalued by employers as they do not have a full
understanding of what the subject entails.
I enjoyed it. Philosophy, not having much vocational direction, has made it harder to settle into a
career.
I more than likely would have made the same decision again. Though with hindsight I probably would
think more strongly about studying Spanish/Portuguese/Modern languages.
I still read on some of the philosophical topics
I still read philosophy for fun. It is a great, stimulating and, analytical subject. It is not well regarded
amongst employers though
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It has improved my written skills and my presentation skills. I do find it has also made me think
morally about what I do and where I work. (Hence I chose to work in the public sector and not the
private sector)
It has not helped my career but I am wonderfully well-rounded because of it
It's great as a dual honours, especially with a numerate discipline and people continue to be impressed
by my degree
My degree was a revelation and spurred me on to further study. In fact I am currently studying
towards my doctorate
Not only does it give you a life-long interest and enrich your thinking about the world but it works
very well with a dual degree in terms of providing variety in your studies
Very glad. One day I hope to be able to study it further. There are still questions that I need answering
Without a doubt the university and tutors were excellent, the course design was generally balanced
and engaging and I felt that I developed many skills which have been important for my current study,
previous jobs and also in everyday life. I would not change it and I would highly recommend it at a
good university.
Yes given that it's turning into a career, it's all worked out very well. Great department at Sheffield lovely place to be an undergraduate.
Yes without a doubt but wish I had done more of the extra reading
Yes, because I enjoyed it and my employers have respected it as a degree. It also provided the perfect
basis on which to build when I later chose to study law. I do not think there would have been a better
preparatory degree and I am pleased that I studied philosophy rather then going straight into law
Yes, no doubt about it
Yes, Very pleased that I chose to study philosophy
I like to think of philosophy as both the art and science of thinking. The skills it develops in logical
thinking, critical analysis, problem solving, presenting a persuasive argument etc. are all vital in the
field of policy and research development.
8. Comments
As well as experiences from current staff, it might be useful to have recent graduates go back to the
dept. to talk about careers in academia. There is nothing quite like people who have just been through it
!
Having recently decided on a change of direction, I am aware that whilst at university I was very
unclear about what I wanted to do. University to me was just something to do at the time rather then a
means to an end.
Having returned to study but at a different university, I look back and see how important the institution
itself is. I cannot say that philosophy would have been a very valuable degree at any university: Library
resources, quality of teaching, organisation and opportunities available are fundamental. The
importance of them cannot be stressed too much. Thank you Sheffield university
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I don't imagine I can be much use to undergraduates who have such different expectations these days.
Just let it be known that it was a very pleasant education - in the first year there was an explicit
understanding that undergraduates are going through so much of a life style change that they should be
allowed to get on with it. So not counting 1st year marks was quite liberating. Then the other 2 years
were suitably challenging, informative and fun.
I enjoyed studying English Lit and Philosophy. My only regret is that I didn't make a point of picking
the brains of the tutors. I just studied as much as I had to, it is only now I realise the value of talking
thoroughly to experts rather then just sticking to the books. Also, I think it is wrong to make all courses
vocational. There is a massive amount of indirect value I take from studying philosophy and English.
Looking at different, intelligent views of the world is something everyone should study
I enjoyed studying philosophy at Sheffield University very much. Looking back the lecturers/staff as
well as the seminars were the most valuable in my university career. Even though I know work in a
different profession (primary school teaching) the philosophy (and eng lit) degree means very much to
me and I am very glad for the things I have learnt at Sheffield University
I feel that not only studying history and philosophy but attending the University of Sheffield itself has
helped me to get a positive career earlier than anticipated. I would only suggest that the Careers Service
were more pro-active at helping final year students apply for graduate positions. I did not apply until I
had 2 years work
I hope that the philosophy dept at Sheffield is not under pressure to make the degree more vocationally
related by taking on unnecessary components. My time in the dept. was wonderful, engaging in debate,
analysis and research, in a way that really stimulated my thinking. Whilst I understand that courses and
institutions must evolve, it would be a real shame if the structure of the course on offer was forced to
change unnecessarily.
I left university with very little idea about what I wanted to do and what opportunities were open to me.
I stumbled onto my present career path almost by accident. I am now slowly learning about other
careers through meeting friends of friends and other mature students on my PT masters and discussing
their jobs. I am seriously considering a radical career change, although at 28 the idea of starting near the
bottom of the ladder is not an attractive one and has financial implications. I would have appreciated
sound and comprehensive careers advice (about the myriad of career paths that exist, not just the normal
milk round stuff), at uni and at school, in particular around the career paths that would utilise a
combination of numeric, analytical and communication skills that my (wonderful) degree afforded me
I think a dual honours degree with a subject more job-applicable will do a student better in their career
then a single honours degree
My enthusiasm for philosophy is reflected in my doing a PhD, and obviously the next step would be for
me to seek an academic job for which the value of philosophy qualifications is obvious. But I am not
certain this is what I want, and I might benefit from a change of direction. However, what worries me
here is the value of philosophy in other lines of work, and I know others share this worry too. If a
careers service were able to gather and present to students data about the value of philosophy to
employers this would be of great use to many students in my opinion.
Philosophy is not a vocational degree and I think philosophy graduates need support and assistance in
trying to find or even think about suitable vocations, at an early stage in the 3rd year. I was a bit
shocked on graduating to suddenly be faced with the massive question of what next?
You could re-word the questions about employment- as the way they are worded now are closed. I.e.
What if the employment is self-employed or freelance for instance, there is no option to describe type of
employment as it stands
9. Further Contact
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70% of respondents are willing to be contacted for future collaboration
10. Summary
Respondents were asked if they are still pleased that they chose to study Philosophy:
o
o
o
86.66% of respondents said yes.
13.33% of respondents said that they are unsure.
0% of respondents said no.