Philosophy and Religion

What is Philosophy & Religion?	Related Career Titles
Related Major Skills	Philosophy Job Search Links
Religion Job Search Links	Career Planning Links
Professional Association Links	Miscellaneous Resources Links
UNCW Dept of Philosophy & Religion

What is Philosophy & Religion?

The study of philosophy develops our ability to make sense of ourselves and our surroundings. Philosophers apply critical thinking to questions of values and beliefs in order to understand reality, clarify the nature of interactions between individuals and society, and come to terms with the problems of existence and ultimate values. Different schools of thought in economics, history, psychology, and education are based upon differences in philosophy. Political and religious beliefs and codes of ethic are based on philosophical assumptions. Students who study philosophy engage in the examination of their own beliefs, the resolution of conflicts, the search for a purpose to life, and the development of a basis for ethical decisions.

Religion studies examine spiritual belief, practices, and worship activities. Undergraduate courses in philosophy and religion are geared toward the preparation for life rather than a specific type of work, and provide an excellent background for a variety of careers. A background in philosophy and religion can help develop character and personal skills which are extremely important in most job situations: specifically, the abilities to listen carefully and critically; think clearly; analyze and organize ideas; write; defend one's position rationally; stimulate discussion; and question, confront, support, evaluate, reshape, and understand different points of view.

Related Career Titles

Some of these jobs require education beyond the bachelor's degree.

Administrative Assistant	Consultant	Lawyer
Announcer	Counselor	Lobbyist
Arts Consultant	Credit Analyst	Management Analyst
Assistant Buyer	Critic	Management Trainee
Associate Pastor	Customer Service Rep	Marketing Research Analyst
Author	Denominational Executive	Minister/Youth Minister
Business Administrator	Diplomat	Minister of Music
Campus Religious Coordin.	Director of Religious Education	Missionary
Campus Minister	Editorial Assistant	Newswriter
Chaplain	Employment Interviewer	Nursing Home Director
Church Building Engineer	Financial Consultant	Paralegal
Church Camp Director	Fund-raiser	Pastor
Church Secretary	Guidance Counselor	Priest
Claims Adjuster	Hospital Administrator	Producer/Director
Clergy	Insurance Underwriter	Professor
Columnist	Journalist	Psychologist
Public Policy Manager	Religious Education Teacher	Salvation Army Worker
Public Relations Rep	Religious Researcher	Seminary Administrator
Public Service Official	Religious Staff Writer	Social Worker
Rabbi	Religious Educational Admin.	Systems Analyst
Religious Bookstore Worker	Sales Representative	Technical Writer
YMCA/YWCA Worker	History Teacher	Founder and CEO
Medical Biller	Legal Assistant

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Some Employers of Philosophy and Religion Majors:

Advertising Agencies
Consulting Firms
Colleges & Universities
Religious Associations
Newspapers & Magazines

Government
Political Parties
Hospitals
Publishing Companies

Non-Profit Organizations
Media
State & Federal Government
Business & Industry

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Related Major Skills

Communicating in logical manner	Interest in pursuing, exploring and explaining intangible ideas
Debating Skills	Self-discipline
Theory Development	Curiosity
Open-mindedness	Close, extensive reading
Objectivity	Work Independently
Oratory Skills	Problem Solving
Deductive Reasoning