Philosophy

One of humanity's oldest intellectual pursuits, Philosophy explores the basic assumptions behind Western political, moral, and legal arrangements, as well as the assumptions that have guided modern science and technology. This gives philosophy immediacy and a practicality that might surprise those who have not studied it. Applied to human values, fundamental philosophical questions explore the nature social justice, the nature of moral values, and the nature of values themselves. Applied to science and technology, fundamental philosophical questions investigate the conditions under which scientific methods might be expected to produce true and accurate representations of the material world.

The capacities for understanding, analyzing, synthesizing, evaluating, and writing students develop through the study of philosophy are useful for virtually any professional occupation or academic role. Students can complete a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Arts & Science majoring in Philosophy.

Students interested in Philosophy can complete:

Bachelor of Arts (Philosophy)
Bachelor of Arts and Science (Philosophy)
Bachelor of Arts (Philosophy)/Bachelor of Management (BMgt)

The combined degrees leverage synergies with other Bachelor programs and open up additional career opportunities.

Program Planning Guides

Skills

Abstract Thinking
Advanced Information Acquisition & Management
Analytical & Deductive Reasoning
Attention to Detail
Capable of Reading at Length
Critical, Analytical & ‘Big Picture’ Thinking

Formulate & Defend Ideas
Identifying & Clarifying Values
Information Gathering
Logical Reasoning
Meet Deadlines
Negotiation

Organizational
Problem Solving
Research
Statistical
Work Independently
Written & Oral Communication

Work Environment

Philosophy provides an excellent foundation for further studies in law (corporate, mediation, or prosecution). Graduates from the Department of Philosophy at the U of L have gone on to distinguished careers as professors, senior academic administrators, lawyers, business managers, scientists, and a wide range of other professional fields. New graduates may find employment with art companies, consulting firms, educational institutions, governmental organizations, health agencies, media companies, non-governmental and non-profit organizations, religious organizations, or research institutes.

Key Areas of Specialization:

Justice & Goodness
Truth & Reality
Social Philosophical Concerns
Scientific Philosophical Concerns
Human Creativity & Artistic Expression

Career Possibilities

Entry Level

These jobs are normally intended for new graduates and require 0 to 2 years of experience. It is important to note that many entry level positions require some related experience or demonstrated ability to perform job-related tasks. Even those positions that do not require experience will still prefer an experienced candidate if one is available.

Related Job Titles

These jobs generally require extensive, relevant work experience and/or further education.

Administrative/Management Staff
Advertiser
Advertising Account Executive
Alumni Relations Officer
Archival Scientist
Artificial Intelligence Design & Ethics Consultant
Bioethics Officer
Biographer
Biomedical Ethics Researcher
Business Administrator
Business Analyst
Business Ethics Consultant
Community Organizer
Consultant
Corporate Proposal Writer
Corporate Sales Executive
Corporate Training/ Development Officer
Correctional Services Agent
Critical Analyst
Cultural Studies Specialist
Development Manager
Editor
Environmental Ethics Consultant
Ethics Consultant
Film Researcher/Copywriter
Foreign Service Officer
Fundraiser
Government Policy Analyst
Health Administrator
Historian
Historical Museum Administrative Assistant
Hospice Worker
Human Resource Specialist
Human Rights Advocate
Humanities Bibliographer
Immigration Services Officer
Intelligence Officer
International Development Officer
Journalist
Legislative Policy Advisor
Librarian
Lobbyist
Logistics Coordinator
Mediator
Medical Ethics Consultant
Political Aide
Political Critic
Politician
Press Agent
Public Administrator
Public Policy Analyst
Public Relations Officer
Public Servant
Publisher
Research Assistant
Social Activist
Social Services Agent
Special Program Administrator
Speech and Content Analyst
Speech Writer
Teacher
Technical Writer
TV/Web Documentary Producer
Underwriter
University Professor
Web Content Writer
Writer

Thinking Outside the Box: Other Possible Job Titles

On average, people change their careers three to five times in their lifetime. So, no matter what major you choose, you may still be interested in opportunities totally unrelated to your program of study. We encourage you to be open to all possibilities! Your undergraduate degree can be a springboard for other educational pursuits, and your transferable skills and experience can prepare you to work in a multitude of settings.

Useful Resources

The Canadian Philosophical Association http://www.acpcpa.ca
Canadian Society of Continental Philosophy http://www.c-scp.org/
Canadian Society for the History & Philosophy of Science http://www.yorku.ca/cshps1/
Canadian Philosophy of Education Society http://www.philosophyofeducation.ca
Canadian Society of Philosophical Practice http://www.philosophicalpractice.ca
Alberta Human Rights Commission http://www.albertahumanrights.ab.ca
Canadian Business Ethics http://www.businessethics.ca/
Canadian Association of Statutory Human Rights Agencies http://www.cashra.ca/
International Society of Human Rights http://www.ishr.org
Human Rights Education Associates http://www.hrea.org
Philosophy Learning and Teaching Organization (PLATO) https://www.plato-philosophy.org/
American Philosophical Association http://www.apaonline.org
International Federation of Philosophical Societies http://www.fisp.org/
International Society of Philosophers http://www.isfp.co.uk

Add Value to Your Degree

The more you do to differentiate yourself, the more likely you are to succeed in building a fulfilling career path for yourself. It takes more than just attending classes to stand out amongst other students and new graduates. Become an explorer! Try new things, challenge yourself, build unique skills, and connect with diverse people.

Use the ideas listed below to help you brainstorm experiences to add value to your degree. For more ideas on experiential opportunities at the University of Lethbridge, view the Student Experience Transcript.

Connect with Others

Making connections with others is one of the best ways to learn about the world of work and gain access to career-building opportunities. Making meaningful connections with people is often called building a network. Building these connections can give you access to jobs before they are posted, or to jobs that are not publicly posted. Employers like to hire people they have already built relationships with, and are more likely to hire people who have been recommended by trusted colleagues and friends.

Start building your network by attending Career Fairs and other on-campus recruitment events found on the Career Services Events page within the Career Bridge portal. Get introduced to career professionals in a welcoming and approachable way through uLethbridge Connect at Ten Thousand Coffees. Consider joining a professional association to help you find opportunities to meet experienced professionals in your field, find training opportunities, be paired with a mentor, or get involved in committees or other volunteer positions.

d professionals in your field, find training opportunities, be paired with a mentor, or get involved in committees or other volunteer positions.

Co-operative Education

Co-operative Education allows you to earn income through real-world work experience that is related to your academic studies. Completing a co-op work term provides you with an opportunity to build your skills in a practical work setting, network with employers, and increase your marketability after graduation.

Co-operative education is available to undergraduate and graduate-level students within a variety of programs in the Faculty of Arts & Science, Dhillon School of Business, Faculty of Fine Arts, and Faculty of Health Sciences. Learn more about eligibility requirements and how co-op works here.

Applied Studies

The Applied Studies program offers you the opportunity to earn academic credit for learning gained through employment or volunteer experiences. Placements provide skill development and experiential learning related to your studies by integrating principles learned in the classroom with practical situations encountered on the job.

Student Clubs and Leadership

Participating in clubs and running for student government are great ways to build employability skills, learn how to work with others, and demonstrate your leadership abilities.

The University of Lethbridge Students’ Union is committed to building a rewarding and enriching experience for undergraduate students. They have positions for Executive Council members and General Assembly members, as well as an extensive list of ratified clubs, offering opportunities to get involved in areas of interest and in leadership positions.

The Graduate Students’ Association’s mandate is to identify and advocate for graduate student needs. They have GSA Executive positions, GSA Council positions, and a mentorship program for incoming students.

Research Opportunities

The University of Lethbridge provides many different opportunities to gain research experience in addition to the required courses in your degree program.

An independent study is a chance for you to design your own research project for course credit under the supervision of a professor of your choice. Course work usually requires independent library research and/or field work and/or a major term paper. For more information, meet with an Academic Advisor and the Department or Faculty member under whom you wish to pursue an Independent Study.

You can also opt to complete an Undergraduate Thesis Course. This will allow you to earn an “Honours Thesis” designation on your degree and is a great springboard into graduate studies and professional programs. Fourth-year standing and a cumulative GPA of 3.30 is required to complete an Honours Thesis; it is also helpful to have previous research experience like Independent Studies. For more information, contact the Department or Faculty member under whom you with to pursue your Honours Thesis.

The Office of Research and Innovation Services has a wealth of information on additional research opportunities for students, including Student Funding, Student Research Positions, AGILITY, and events. The School of Graduate Studies has information on Research Opportunities/Graduate Student Positions and GA/Co-op/Internship Opportunities. If you are interested in building your research portfolio, do not miss out on these opportunities!

International Experience

International experience builds valuable employability skills like adaptability, multi-cultural awareness, and the initiative to take on new challenges. Gain an international perspective by participating in Education Abroad opportunities like semester exchanges, study tours, field studies, work-study tours, internships, and more. Learn about international careers and resources through MyWorldAbroad (available within the Career Bridge portal).

Community Involvement

Volunteerism is an excellent way to demonstrate your current skills, build new skills, and grow your network. If you are not sure where to get started, connect with UVolunteer, the University of Lethbridge’s partnership with Volunteer Lethbridge. If you already volunteer, UVolunteer can provide you with a framework to organize and document your volunteer work. If you are not sure how or where to get involved, UVolunteer can help you find volunteer opportunities that meet your needs and the needs of your community. Also consider volunteering with a local Board, Commission, or Committee.

What can I do with a major in Philosophy