The O’Collegian

Philosophy graduate students go into fields of law or teaching, among others, after they complete their degree.

Dr. James Cain, graduate adviser for the department of philosophy, said law is probably the biggest career field graduate students go into after receiving their master’s degree.

“Philosophy is supposed to be good preparation for law,” Cain said. “I guess because there is a lot of tight argumentation.”

Mary Gwin said teaching is also a big option for graduate students. Gwin, who received her master’s degree at OSU in 2003, is a lecturer for the philosophy department.

“At the master level, (students) can go on and usually adjunct at a university,” Gwin said.

Graduate student Ian McDaniel graduated from Virginia Tech in 2003 and came to Oklahoma State University in fall 2006 to pursue his master’s degree in philosophy. He is one of about 14 graduate students in the department of philosophy.

“I chose (OSU) because they seemed to really want to help me become a better philosopher,” McDaniel said.

McDaniel says that the study of philosophy makes students excel in other subjects. He considers philosophy a great tool for building a student’s intellect.

McDaniel plans on becoming a teacher, after obtaining his Ph.D. However, the philosophy department does not offer anything higher than a master’s degree, so McDaniel, like many other graduate students, is in the process of looking for a school that offers a doctoral program.

Graduate students are going into law and teaching primarily, but that’s not always the case.

Ben Pryor, a graduate student who transferred here five years ago from OSU-OKC has different plans for his career once he graduates.

“Personally, I have no interest in teaching philosophy,” Pryor said. “I’m going to go into the political science field.”

Pryor says he wants to deal in politics and possibly government work. Pryor also says that the researching portion of philosophy is preparing him for achieving his goals in political science.

Gwin brings another option to mind — the seminary. With the seminary, students are instructed in a manner that usually would lead them to positions in the clergy.

James Cain, graduate adviser to the department, warns graduate students that the job market is getting more aggressive.

“The competition for jobs has become strong enough, that it’s a good idea to get a Ph.D. if you can,” Cain said.

Cain is also quick to say that most people who become graduate students in philosophy are probably not in this area of study for the financial gain.

“If you were after money, then this is not a career to go into,” Cain said. “I think the biggest attraction is just being able to study philosophy.”

Regardless of what occupation philosophy students decide to pursue, the overall opinion of these graduate students is the same — they believe that their choice to study philosophy is interactive and informative.

“(The general public) tends to look at our profession as unimportant or lacking in substance,” McDaniel said. “(Philosophy) is a very worthwhile activity for one to engage in. It broadens your mind in ways you never thought possible.”