The importance of Philosophy in my journey
I naturally chose Philosophy as part of my degree after the enjoyment I found within it during my A-levels. It can easily be applied to real-life situations and enriches our understanding of the world. This is a great part of my degree, which has let me engage with subjects I am really passionate about, such as Applied Ethics and Early Modern Philosophy. I’m going to talk about my journey studying Philosophy at York.
In my first year I lived in James College. I became closer to my friends through deep and meaningful conversations about the world and sharing our opinions. These conversations showed me how philosophy had enriched my ability to think critically and appreciate different viewpoints with an open mind. I encourage everyone to engage in those kinds of conversations. Philosophy is all about exploring interesting questions and ideas about our world. It is not only fun and academically stimulating but also enables our society to be more curious and connected.
The transferable skills provided by Philosophy at York
Philosophy seminars at York focus on active debates and critical examination. These weekly sessions taught me transferable skills that gave me the confidence to articulate my opinions clearly and engage deeply with complex concepts. These skills, naturally coupled with my History degree and made it easier to participate in my group projects and presentation skills. On a social level, my ability to confidently discuss improved my leadership skills to the point where I now jointly lead a Network within the University.
In addition to these skills, philosophy has been valuable to my history degree because it reintroduced an essence of humanity into my studies. Often, historians can fall into the trap of only viewing history as a series of numbers and dates, leading to a detached viewpoint. By philosophically focusing on moral and ethical theories, I am now able to reassess history from a human perspective. This allows me to have a better understanding of the past with more engaging and meaningful conclusions. As a result, I can better appreciate the lessons of the past and their relevance to contemporary issues. I’ve used these examples to showcase how the skills a Philosophy degree offers are non-restrictive and easily applicable beyond the subject. Ultimately, studying philosophy has empowered me to navigate a wide range of challenges with a more nuanced perspective.
My Philosophy degree has enhanced my CV
The things I have learnt whilst studying philosophy have been invaluable towards my personal journey and achieving my future aspirations. Previously, I mentioned the transferable skills that I gained, which significantly enhanced my CV and make me a more appealing candidate for internships, job opportunities and volunteering groups. This summer, I participated in an internship abroad, where I stayed for two months. I believe my philosophy degree was a key component in helping me succeed in the challenging environment. Philosophy encourages a mindset that embraces diverse perspectives and complex ideas, which enabled me to approach problems creatively and with an open mind. This subject made me more adaptable towards professional problems and navigating cultural differences to create the best outcomes.
My internship
Between my second and third years I took a six week internship in marketing and operations management. I lived in Singapore for two months. I’m British-Singaporean, but I hadn’t lived in Singapore since I was a baby. It was a chance for personal growth, to reconnect with my heritage and to broaden my experiences.
I gained essential management skills, and applied what I’d learned about teamwork and leadership. Explored marketing for the first time was challenging. I learned to prioritise and critically analyse the needs and views of different culture and engage with new ideas. Applying my degree in a professional environment made me a more open and creative person. Philosophy helped me navigate a new culture and integrate into another way of life. As a result, I enhanced my professional potential as a more adaptable well-rounded individual.
Overall, my journey studying Philosophy at York extends far beyond the classroom. The skills and knowledge I’ve gained from studying philosophy have not only enhanced my CV and enriched my understanding of the world around me. They have also given me the tools I need to take exciting steps toward my ambitions, both today and in the days ahead!
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