#Philosophy #IT #CareerChoice #Education #StudentStruggles
Are you grappling with the dilemma of studying philosophy while aspiring to enter the world of Information Technology (IT)? 🤔 It’s completely understandable to feel confused and uncertain about the path you’re embarking on. Many individuals face similar predicaments when it comes to choosing an academic direction that aligns with their interests and future career goals. Let’s delve into this conundrum together and explore practical solutions that can help you navigate through this challenge.
## Understanding the Dilemma: Philosophy vs. IT
When you have the means to pursue any field of study without financial constraints, it’s advantageous to choose a subject that genuinely intrigues you. 📚 Philosophy, with its profound exploration of fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, and ethics, can provide valuable insights that transcend any specific profession. However, if your ultimate goal lies within the realm of IT, you may question the practicality of investing time and resources in a seemingly unrelated discipline.
### Embracing Diversity in Education
While it may seem counterintuitive to study philosophy when your career aspirations lean towards IT, it’s essential to recognize the broader benefits of a well-rounded education. 👩🎓 Diverse academic experiences can foster critical thinking, analytical skills, and creative problem-solving abilities that are highly valued in the tech industry. By immersing yourself in philosophical inquiries, you cultivate a unique perspective that can enhance your approach to IT challenges.
### Leveraging Transferable Skills
One of the key advantages of pursuing a degree in philosophy, despite aspiring to enter IT, is the acquisition of transferable skills that are applicable across various fields. 🌟 Critical thinking, effective communication, and logical reasoning are integral components of philosophical study that can significantly benefit your future endeavors in IT. These skills serve as a solid foundation for adapting to dynamic technological landscapes and navigating complex issues in the digital realm.
## Strategic Planning for Career Success
It’s essential to formulate a strategic plan that integrates your academic pursuits with your professional goals in IT. 💼 By strategically leveraging your philosophical background and aligning it with IT industry demands, you can position yourself as a well-rounded candidate with unique strengths. Here are some practical steps to enhance your transition from philosophy to IT:
### Pursue Relevant Certifications
While a degree in philosophy provides a strong intellectual foundation, supplementing it with industry-specific certifications can enhance your credibility and employability in the IT sector. 🔒 Explore certification programs in areas such as coding, cybersecurity, data analysis, or project management to acquire specialized skills that are in high demand.
### Networking and Mentorship
Building a strong professional network within the IT community can significantly impact your career trajectory. Engage with IT professionals, attend industry events, and seek mentorship from individuals who have successfully transitioned from diverse academic backgrounds to thriving IT careers. 🤝 Networking can open doors to valuable opportunities and insights that aid in your career advancement.
### Embrace Lifelong Learning
The tech industry is ever-evolving, with new technologies and trends shaping the landscape on a continuous basis. To stay relevant and competitive in IT, cultivate a mindset of lifelong learning and adaptability. Engage in ongoing professional development, online courses, and skill-building activities to expand your knowledge and expertise in relevant IT domains. 📈
In conclusion, studying philosophy while aiming for a career in IT is not a foolish decision but rather a strategic choice that enriches your intellectual abilities and skill set. Embrace the diversity of your educational journey and leverage the transferable skills acquired through philosophical inquiry to excel in the fast-paced world of technology. With a proactive approach to professional development and a holistic perspective on academic pursuits, you can carve a fulfilling path that merges your passion for philosophy with your aspirations in IT. 🌟 #CareerSuccess #PhilosophyAndTech
Remember, your unique combination of philosophical insights and IT expertise can set you apart as a multifaceted professional who brings innovative solutions to the digital landscape. Embrace your journey with confidence and conviction, knowing that your diverse educational background equips you with a valuable competitive edge in the dynamic realm of Information Technology. 🎓💻
Idiot? Maybe.
Try finding a really basic role in IT first and trialing out the career before you stick your head into the water too. I suggest looking at helpdesk roles and just applying.
Consider what interests you within IT. IT is a category, not a single role. And for the love of all that is good, please don’t say cybersecurity. It’s also a category, not a role.
Go for the philosophy degree. Hell, learn Ancient Greek while you’re at it. Most Entry level IT jobs only require *a degree* and do not typically specify the need for a technical degree unless it is a specialized/higher paying position.
If you want to set yourself up for success prior to graduation, pick up a CCNA and a security + certificate and apply for any internships you can while in undergrad.
Logic has some support for Computer Science, Software Engineering and Data Analytics. Minor in CS maybe? Watch Professor Messer videos. While you are in College you can get discount vouchers to take certifications.
If you don’t like IT don’t do it. It’s over saturated in entry level and it’ll be none stop learning.
I would just go for a bachelors of science…. In what ever can’t really go wrong
Just make sure you’re learning the good philosophy. Proper rhetorical tools and developing the ability to reason effectively.
It’s not stupid at all and you’ll see philosophy has tremendous use in improving your life and your ability to move and adapt in the world.
I personally hold the conviction that a lack of philosophical development in our modern academic system is why so many people are effectively credentialed mongoloids.
The more I learn about philosophy in my free time the better I am at everything I do. The less upset and stressed I am. The more I understand why I do things, why things are the way they are.
And this general disposition is something that many people pick up because it’s not commonly found anymore. It’s made impressing in interviews easy. It’s made managing effective. It’s made my relationships with execs fluid and productive.
Do it and make the most of it. And apply for entry level roles or sign up as a weekend warrior in the military for an IT role as either enlisted or officer. That’s my advice.
You go to college for an education, not job training. Do what you need to do to educate yourself. It’s your responsibility to leverage that education to earn a living or not as you see fit.
There’s the option to double major in IT/CS + Philosophy or just minor in Philosophy.
Yes but since you don’t have to worry about the debt you can always go back to school if you have to I guess. If you’re lucky enough to start entry level you can just do a Masters later.
Yes
How will you get past the catch-22 if you don’t get internships or on campus jobs in IT while you’re in school – and how will you qualify for any of those without studying IT instead of philosophy?
Change your major if you want to get into IT. Take Philosophy as electives.
Depends how many years you have left in your degree, if you are just starting i.e sub 25% of the way done I’d just do IT. But if you are on your second year a 4 year degree is likely more valuable than a 2 year degree in IT, not to mention its just more versatile if you change your mind.
Although I wouldn’t stress things too much if your truly happy doing what your doing you can get a 4 year degree and get a 2 year degree in IT once your done 🙂
**Yes, you are an idiot for studying philosophy, without considering that you won’t be making bank. Like c’mon dude this ain’t 6th fucking grade. Unless you’re in NYC, it’ll be hard finding a philosophy degree ROFL /s**
Edit: April Fools post you motherfucker lol
Yeah it’s a useless degree. Study philosophy on your own time. The most impactful philosophers studied philosophy on their own time and for free. If you’re going for free, you’re not an idiot.
The liberal arts are important but imo you shouldn’t have to go into debt to study them.
My second major was in Philosphy to complement ny PoliSci degree to pad my submissions for law school. I chose to not take on the debt of a JD and ended up in IT a few years later. I’ve been thriving in the tech industry for 15 years now. Philosophy, specifically symbolic logic and epistemology, has tremendous crossover with basic principles of computer science, electrical engineering, and programming. The first day I started learning about subnet masking I was like, “oh basically truth tables and xor gates”.
Not really. Philosophy is intellectually challenging, so is IT. Very different but if you can tackle one, the other might be as hard or not as hard. I think you got it. Just believe
I did an English degree and now am working in IT.
I will utilize my IT experience and interest in tech to eventually write about it creatively (stories, poems, post modern masterpieces) or professionally.
Your philosophy degree, if you’re serious about it, will prove far more intense and rewarding than an English degree. With IT exp and background in philosophy, you could go to law school to become a tech lawyer. You could develop very sharp critical thinking skills with philosophy.
Why not try to do a double major? You’ll stand out far more to employers with a unique background.
I’ve always heard major in what will make you money and minor in what will make you happy.
It’ll be easier to learn computer science in college and then read every book you want about philosophy later on.
But at the end if the day a degree is a degree.
Your education is your responsibility.
I wouldn’t say philosophy is a useless degree, but as a person who doesn’t hold any bachelors, I would rather eat a roach than to pay and study it
With chat bots taking over, as humanities major you might be better positioned for prompt engineering jobs than any tech graduate these days.
Go into IT and read meditations on the side. EZ
I got a math degree and I’m doing well.
Yes. You can do a CS degree or such and take psych classes as electives?
Continental or Analytical is the real question?
I got a philosophy degree. Had no plans to get into IT. Feel face first into it. I feel it definitely helps. To study philosophy is to study logical systems and what is a network if not a logical system.
But honestly double major or minor in philosophy. I wouldn’t make it your main focus.
Major in CS… Minor in Philosophy. I love philosophy but there are no job opportunities. Philosophy and psychology will help you understand the dark side of IT/SWE and assist in formulating an ethical framework. Folks (like most of your peers and end users) are utterly insane and simply stupid.
Currently rereading the works of lysander spooner and john locke (natural rights and political philosophers)
Why not both? IT would really benefit from people with a background in Philosophy, logic and critical thinking. The mechanisms behind philosophy compliment anything technical really. I think It will also carry you further and make you a better person overall. Not much of a life if you just live and breath computers all of the time without much thought to anything else.
There aren’t many, if any, opportunities to get a job as a philosopher. You should major in what you play to have a career doing and take classes like philosophy as electives.
Kind of conflicted about what to tell you. The more practical advice is to get a degree in the field you’re interested in.
That said, my personal history:
* Switched from Comp Sci to Philosophy my freshman year. Graduated with a degree major in Philosophy and a minor in Political Science.
* Could not find a job immediately out of school (and also getting married, yikes). Leveraged a personal connection to get a job working in a locally owned bookstore.
* Learned some basic retail and inventory management skills working at the bookstore. Worked there for 7 years.
* Leveraged another personal connection to sit down with an IT director for a healthcare agency to ask about prepping for an IT career. He offered me a job managing their inventory and logistics.
* Worked in healthcare IT for 4 years. Did a bunch of CompTIA certs. Company was bought out, I looked around and jumped to a role working in tech support for a software company.
* Got my CISSP. Got a masters in InfoSec from WGU.
* Moved into tech support management.
* Moved sideways/up into management over the cloud team.
* Promoted to VP over cloud team.
Definitely not a typical path. I’m sure I would have landed in a tech role with better job prospects if I’d graduated with a CS degree. On the other hand, I feel like my Philosophy degree has been invaluable in my career, particularly in understanding how to think critically, to carefully articulate my position and defend it appropriately to a particular audience, and to assess problems conceptually or in the abstract.
>idiot for studying philosophy when I want to most likely go into IT?
Nope. There are various pros and cons on specific degree(s) for a career in IT, and regardless of how (un)related the degree(s) may be to IT.
>I am choosing something genuinely interesting to me
That’s always a good start … but may not be “the” (fastest) way to various career(s). But speed isn’t always what’s most important. And the more (relevant) (work) experience, the less the specific degree(s) will tend to matter over time. So, generally makes more difference on the shorter term, and and less (to almost no) difference on the longer term.
>plan is probably to go into IT
Well do your research! 🙂
>dumb decision to not just study that?
Not necessarily at all … at least on the college degree and/or time in college. Sure, you’ll want to study relevant IT stuff before trying to launch a career into IT (that will certainly at least make it significantly easier / more feasible), but nothing prevents you from doing that after college. And if you’re not in some extreme rush to go straight from college degree to IT work, then you can take the time to gain relevant IT knowledge, skills, experience as feasible, etc.
>as long as I have a degree I can leverage it with the right certs and stuff
Uhm, yes and no. Degree certainly helps, and the more relevant to IT the better. But if it’s not particularly IT related (or even technology or science) having/gaining relevant knowledge, skills, experience (as feasible) will certainly help for at least getting started in and launching IT career.
>means (parents) to study as I choose without really worrying about the money
A luxury many(/most) don’t have. College is relatively unique opportunity. So, well leverage it as you choose. And if you’ve go the luxury of (some (fair bit of)) time after, degree that’s not IT specific or particularly or at all related is still much better than no degree, and if one has the time, resources, drive, etc., one can well cover most of what one might otherwise pick with an IT or more IT specific degree independently, though that can take quite a bit of work and dedication, and may be also harder to easily show and demonstrate … but after some year(s) working in IT, the specific degree will then and henceforward generally make relatively little difference. E.g. college degree + 4 years IT experience, then and onwards, for the most part most won’t much care what that college degree was, so long as it was decent accredited institution.
Yes
I wrote a few sentences only to realize the short answer is yes.
Read a few books, talk to some monks if you want to study philosophy. Live a few years, philosophy will come to you.
Speaking from personal experience, I have been in a position to hire people, I might hire someone who has studied math, or physics or engineering, never philosophy.
I took some elective courses in philosophy and they were great experiences, more memorable than the tech courses, but that’s just that, fun experiences.
IT is dead son
My brother in law got a bachelor’s and master’s in philosophy and then went into I.T, so it’s possible. He just got promoted from a data analyst to a data engineer.
Did getting a degree in philosophy instead of I.T hurt his career in the long run? Almost certainly, you’d be damn hard pressed to find someone with a master’s degree and the years of experience in the I.T industry he has making as little as he does. If he would’ve gotten I.T degrees he most certainly would be making at least $50k more a year minimum even if he was working at the same job. I don’t think he regrets what he did though in the slightest, he seems plenty happy where he’s at.
However he got into the I.T industry a decade ago when the market was significantly different, Nowadays even with a degree in I.T people are struggling to find jobs. Just remember that when people look at your application for jobs they are going to compare your degree to everyone else’s.
Just study IT and minor in philosophy. Ya, you can try to leverage certs, but you should do everything you can to separate yourself from other applicants. You would have better access to things like internships if you are majoring in IT, which will go a long way. I’m older. I study theater and never got work in it and ended up doing sales for a decade because that’s the only work I could get. I turned it around after being laid off during the pandemic and got into IT but I wish I did it sooner. So if you know that’s what you want, pursue it 100%
I got a Philosophy degree as I wanted to go to law school. In the last month or two of uni, there was a campus career fair. At that career fair, I gave my resume to a temp agency. A month after graduation, I was called by the recruiter to interview for a Help Desk job at a big company. It’s been 11 years and I’m a Systems Administrator earning six figures.
While I wish I studied Computer Science, having a Philosophy degree is nice as it’s an icebreaker in interviews. I often get “Philosophy huh? You don’t see too many of these degrees on applicant resumes. What was your favourite course?” and we chat for 5-10mins about books and Philosophy.
It took me 8-10 years of grinding to get out of Hell Desk. If I had studied CompSci, I could have been an SRE/DevOps engineer somewhere earning a lot more money.
Can’t you study IT, then pick a philosophy book on the side as a hobby?
Yes
Most important criteria in tech ordered:
1. Relevant technicals internship experience
2. Relevant degree. Icing on the cake of your internship experiences.
3. Certifications, the cherry on top of the ice.
Your degree is so important it is only secondary to Internships. And landing internships will be very challenging if the only thing on your resume is “Philosophy major”.
yes