ClickAJob News

Those with a degree in philosophy have found themselves in demand in the jobs market, it has emerged.

As reported in the Guardian, the Higher Education Careers Services Unit has discovered that in 2006, 6.7 per cent of philosophy graduates were unemployed compared to 9.9 per cent in 2001.

Furthermore, between 2002-03 and 2005-06 the number of graduates in full and part-time work increased by nine per cent, while philosophy students saw a 13 per cent rise, data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency reveals.

Director of the Management Consultancies Association's think-tank Fiona Czerniawska commented that the degree course can be very useful to employers.

"A philosophy degree has trained the individual's brain and given them the ability to provide management-consulting firms with the sort of skills that they require and clients demand," she told the publication.

Deborah Bowman, the associate dean for widening participation at St George's, University of London, added that philosophy graduates can be "very useful" particularly in a medical ethics position.

ClickAJob chief executive Yngve Traberg welcomes the news.

"For a long time, the job market has been demanding that applicants are numerate, literate, adaptable and trainable," he says.

"Technology changes business so fast that adaptability is probably more at a premium than any other quality. The disciplines of philosophy provide that adaptability, an ability to think clearly in an entirely new environment without preconceived ideas."

Mr Traberg continues: "Philosophy is a people thing, independent of technology. Through insight and understanding of human values, it is easier to see a constructive way forward, so vital to the competitive character of modern business."