Many prospective students of the MA Philosophy Now in Rotterdam ask a very practical question: “What can I actually do with this degree?” The short answer is: a great deal. Philosophy does not train you for one single profession in the way that, say, medicine or accountancy does. Instead, it prepares you for a wide range of intellectually demanding careers in which clear thinking, ethical awareness and the ability to see the bigger picture really matter.
Designing your own path
There is no single job called “philosopher” waiting at the end of your studies. Instead, the MA Philosophy Now helps you to develop a powerful set of skills and a reflective stance that you can take into many different environments. Alongside the curriculum itself, Erasmus School of Philosophy offers a lively academic community, student-run journals, and representation in the faculty council – all of which allow you to gain experience that is directly relevant to future employers.
Where will you end up after graduating? That depends on your interests, choices and initiative. But you will not be starting from zero. You will carry with you:
A proven ability to handle complex ideas and problems.
A track record of independent research and collaborative projects.
A sharpened sense of responsibility for the social and ethical implications of decisions.
From classrooms and ministries to newsrooms, boardrooms, NGOs and cultural spaces, alumni of philosophy programmes show that the skills developed in philosophical study are not only intellectually rewarding – they are also deeply relevant for the world of work. The MA Philosophy Now at Erasmus University Rotterdam is designed to help you turn that potential into a concrete and meaningful career.
Life After Graduation: Where Philosophy Takes You
Academia and Research
Some graduates discover during the MA that they want to continue thinking, teaching and writing about philosophical questions at the highest level. For them, the MA Philosophy Now is an excellent stepping stone to a research master and eventually a PhD, either at Erasmus or at other universities in the Netherlands and abroad.
Typical roles in this trajectory include:
PhD researcher or junior lecturer in philosophy or related fields (political theory, ethics, philosophy of science, philosophy of technology, etc.).
Researcher at think tanks, policy institutes or NGOs, working on topics such as democracy, migration, climate ethics or digitalisation.
Academic coordinator, advisor or policy officer within universities and research organisations.
Education and teaching
Teaching is one of the classic career routes for philosophers, and this is reflected in graduate data: in several countries, secondary-school teaching and education-related roles figure among the top jobs held by philosophy graduates.
Graduates of the MA Philosophy Now may go on to:
Teach philosophy, social studies, ethics or related subjects in secondary education (often after a teacher-training qualification).
Work in higher education as tutors, student counsellors, skills trainers or educational developers.
Design educational materials, ethics programmes or critical-thinking modules for schools, universities or companies.
Your training in explaining complex ideas and in guiding discussions is directly relevant here. The programme also offers opportunities to gain experience as a tutor, editor or representative in faculty bodies, which further strengthens an educational profile.
Public sector, policy and civil service
Modern societies face difficult questions about climate policy, healthcare, migration, digital surveillance, housing and more. These are not merely technical problems: they involve values, conflicting interests and long-term visions of the good society. This is precisely the space in which philosophical skills are valuable.
Philosophy graduates can be found working as:
Policy officers or advisors in ministries, municipalities and regional governments.
Staff members at political parties, parliamentary support units or advisory councils.
Analysts and project officers for NGOs, human-rights organisations, environmental groups and international institutions.
Technology, data and the ethics of AI
One of the fastest-growing areas for philosophy graduates is the intersection of ethics, technology and data. Questions about algorithmic bias, privacy, the impact of AI on work, the design of digital platforms and the social role of technology are now central for companies and public institutions. This has created a demand for people who can combine conceptual and ethical analysis with at least a basic understanding of technological systems.
Philosophy graduates work here as:
Ethics or compliance officers in tech companies and start-ups.
Policy advisors on digitalisation, AI governance and data protection.
Researchers or consultants for organisations working on AI ethics, robotics, healthcare innovation or bioethics.
Business, consulting and corporate roles
Another major destination for philosophy graduates is the business world. Employers in consulting, finance, marketing and strategy look for people who can quickly grasp complex situations, ask the right questions and communicate clearly with different stakeholders. Career services data from several universities show philosophy alumni working in accountancy, banking and insurance; business analytics and strategy; management consulting; and a wide spectrum of corporate roles.
In this domain, philosophy graduates typically become:
Strategy or management consultants, helping organisations to clarify their goals, analyse options and make justified decisions.
Policy or risk analysts in banks, insurance companies or other financial institutions.
Corporate trainees and (later) managers, where their ability to see the bigger picture and navigate competing interests proves useful.
Specialists in organisational ethics, compliance, corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability.
Media, journalism and communication
Philosophy teaches you to interpret complex information, detect bias and frame arguments in a way that others can follow. These are precisely the abilities needed in journalism and communication.
Many philosophy graduates choose careers such as:
Journalist, columnist or editor for newspapers, magazines, radio, television or online media.
Communications officer or spokesperson for NGOs, cultural institutions, universities or companies.
Copywriter, content strategist or speechwriter, crafting narratives that are both persuasive and intellectually honest.
Arts, culture and the creative industries
Rotterdam is a vibrant cultural city, and many graduates are drawn to its artistic and creative sectors. With their sensitivity to meaning, narrative and context, philosophers often flourish in roles such as:
Curator, programme maker or education officer in museums, theatres, festivals and cultural centres.
Cultural policy officer for local government or arts funds.
Creative writer, essayist or critic, contributing to cultural journals, podcasts or platforms.
Project manager in foundations and cultural NGOs, where analytical and organisational skills come together.
NGOs, international organisations and social impact
If your motivation for studying philosophy is closely connected to social justice, human rights or environmental sustainability, you will find many opportunities in the NGO and international-organisations landscape. Humanities graduates are valued here for their ability to understand different cultural and moral perspectives, to think critically about power structures, and to translate complex issues into accessible language.
Graduates often work as:
Policy or advocacy officers for NGOs and charities.
Project managers in international development, human rights or humanitarian aid.
Researchers and analysts in organisations that monitor public policy, corporate behaviour or global trends.