Companies that hire philosophy majors?

What an interesting topic. I marvel at the emphasis our society gives to the aspects of education that serve mainly our economic goals. We seem to want to train people to make money either for themselves or their companies. This has two general aspects: (1) stressing the skills needed for generating money or (2) reflecting tacit philosophical values favoring a regimented and purely utilitarian way of life.
I taught for 23 years in a university and concluded from that experience that EDUCATING (as opposed to merely TRAINING) individuals is helping them to develop themselves into interesting people who find life interesting (and for that reason alone worthwhile) regardless of their level of economic success. The adage should go both ways: the unexamind life is less worth living, and the less intensely lived life is less worth examining.
I suspect that companies that hire philosophy majors are more likely to be interesting places to work, places where people make interesting lives for themselves and contribute to those of others--rather than just "making a living."

to quote Bob Persig
to quote Edward Abbey

I completely agree with both of you, unfortunately I have student loans I need to pay off as well as other debts...and I can't even land a job in a local retail store. So despite what I know is right...I still have to venture out and "be a part" of western civilization.

while it's true I've never seen a help wanted sign saying "philosophers needed, good pay/benefits" there are lots of jobs available. My step-son has an MA in secondary education and works as a house painter.

To be is to do - Socrates
To do is to be - Sartre
Do Be Do Be Do Be Doo - Sinatra

More likely - you can get work for pretty much anything that anyone with a Liberal Arts degree would get. Skills are skills - if you can program in Java, they're not gonna care what your major was, or even if you attended college at all.

Very good. Now tell me, how come I no longer receieved "updates"?

JLN - this is off topic of the thread, but while I have you here, I have a link for you
to click re Nietzsche:

http://www.slate.com/id/2281133/

Beg pardon, JD3P.

Philosophy by itself is mostly an academic function, like Critical Thinking. It's a good base from which to support more marketable skills.

You will probably need to seek a company that values the added twist that your philosophy knowledge gives to your other skills. But this is going to depend greatly on how you apply philosophy to your daily activities. If your knowledge of philosophy doesn't change you in some way, then it really isn't of much importance because it isn't finding expression in your activities and skills.

I think you need to find a skill that is marketable and then seek a company that appreciates the differences that your philosophy knowledge gives to that skill. Also, the people on this board who consider themselves students of philosophy might tell you what they do for work.

Many companies are looking for individuals who can think critically and are good at written communication; stress the link between philosophy and these skills in your resume. Many philosophy majors gravitate to IT departments, where an understanding of system architecture is important.

if your not an expert i will not hire you.

Hard to find a job as a major in philosophy?

I read in my childhood a Disney cartoon magazine where Goofy won a prize in a contest, nothing more nothing less than 500 Viking boat oars!

Whoa! What a great prize, but, what to do with them?

I guess that if you love philosophy that much, then find the way to obtain some pedagogy studies and become a teacher, or write a book.

Philosophy is an interesting topic, and now with an expanded knowledge about life, the universe, virtual reality, and more, an updated philosophical view might help you to write and sell your book.

Don't follow the trend of the best income but follow what you love to do, and if philosophy is not well profitable because companies don't see it as practical, and universities and similar institutions may require from you pedagogy background, then find another kind of job while writing your book.

Who knows you might become a pioneer of a new philosophical path.

(If you already have found a job, then disregard this opinion.)

The ability at critical and creative thinking is important, but the ability to communicate is even more so.

If I owned a company that produced complex products made by highly specialized technicians I would hire scientists and engineers. If my company provided services that required not technical knowledge but the ability to understand and communicate issues. The latter is very likely to be found among philosophy and humanities majors.

Hya !
...complex products have target markets n need be designed with target markets in mind addressing the needs of real people. Even there Philosophy might be useful specially if you want to consider long term impact and social transformations coming out of technological leaps.

Other then this minor remark in general I agree with you.