Getting a Philosophy degree sounds impressive from an outsider’s perspective but that quickly changes as you undertake courses and begin to contemplate future employment. ­

­­­­Now I am fully aware that most who even consider philosophy are less inclined to be money-driven and are interested in scholarship. ­

­­­­I chose this route but on steroids, literally choosing the most circuitous route possible: art, philosophy and anthropology, all conjecture heavy disciplines with shaky long-term outlooks. ­Unless I plan on remaining in academia in some fashion I have little faith that my current studies will lend themselves to help me stand out in a crowd upon hiring. ­

­­­­None of the skills I have acquired are tangible, the closest thing is my ability to think critically and to better form a question. ­There has not been one day where I have left a lecture to what appeared to be a solution to a problem posed at the beginning of class. ­Every single time without fail I leave with more questions than I started with.

­­­­The mental gymnastics are tiresome and the very nature of philosophical studies helps to illuminate the greater awareness of these types of phenomenon. I am even under the current belief that most philosophical studies add to a nihilistic view of the world. ­Essentially the erosion of morals and religious framework that gives meaning and a base from which to view the world. ­

­­­­Ideas dressed up in jargon that continually change and provide a “better” lense from which to approach the world is a thin veil that gets old quick. ­Academic ethics is frustratingly unpractical and prefers to hideaway in its ivory tower of theory instead of application.

­­­­Although it is not all bad as I have thoroughly enjoyed all of my professors and most of my peers but I have definitely grown weary of the process and will be glad when I graduate.

­­­­­I am also aware that this is a clear reflection of where I am currently and that perhaps I am asking the wrong things from philosophy. ­It is quite possible that my expectations are skewed and when I look back upon this time I will be grateful and have a fuller, more comprehensive understanding of my experience. ­I am beginning to believe that the struggle is paramount to growth and maybe, just maybe, this was the intended point all along.