What Philosophy Alumni are doing now.
Business/Publishing
I can't imagine better training for my professional participation in our Knowledge Economy than my TU Philosophy education. Business buzzwords come and go. Management techniques rise in popularity...and then disappear. But being able to think well - analyzing, processing, and evaluating the how and the why behind theories, strategies, practices, and techniques - is truly timeless, and it's critical to every aspect of my daily work in the publishing industry. These abilities - my knowledge and thinking skill set - were invaluably developed, honed, and sharpened in my Philosophy studies at Taylor
Andrew Wolgemuth, '03
Literary Agent (representing authors and writers to publishers)
Politics/Foreign Policy
Philosophy...has this way of teaching you patience, and rewarding that patience...the patience and determination to understand something well is an anchor for me in the constantly shifting tide of foreign policy. It allows me to keep working at the foundational issues that are the root causes of the small and large daily fires around the world.
Ashley (Mabie) Smith, '07
United States Senate
Business/Technology & Interactive Marketing
Most days, my career requires me to do one of the following activities: analyzing data and drawing meaningful conclusions for my clients; mapping out functionality, user flows, and user logic for new websites; or working with clients to develop strategic marketing programs that meet their business needs and appeal to their target consumers. Each one of these tasks draws upon my philosophical training.
Erin K. Carter, '98
Sr. Interactive Program Manager
Ryan iDirect, Wilton, CT
Law/Advocacy
In my efforts to encourage family-strengthening policies in government, in court, or in the public square, the training I have had from studying philosophy at Taylor to critically analyze the arguments of my opposition, frame my response logically and founded upon a foundation of absolute Truth, and present it with the Grace demanded of all of us is invaluable. In short, the study of philosophy at TU fully informed my Biblical worldview.
Jeremiah G. Dys, Esq., '01
President and General Counsel
The Family Policy Council of West Virginia
Professor/Philosophy
One of the biggest advantages of studying philosophy at Taylor was that I was given freedom to investigate difficult questions within the framework of a Christian worldview... That framework, coupled with the tutelage from devoted scholars who had an interest in my academic and personal well-being, made Taylor the best place for me to begin my pursuit of those questions.
Dr. Jill Graper Hernandez, '99
Assistant Professor of Philosophy
The University of Texas at San Antonio
Department of Philosophy and Classics
Professor/History
My work as a philosophy major at Taylor (I double-majored in philosophy and history) prepared me for studying and teaching history by teaching me how to think about philosophical ideas in an historically informed way, how to craft rigorous arguments, and how to write more persuasively and imaginatively.
Andrew Witmer, '98
Postdoctoral Fellow at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture, University of Virginia
MBA/Entrepreneurship
When a business opportunity presented itself to me during my first year of graduate study, I was able to pursue it almost immediately, putting my fledgling academic career on hold. Imagine my delight when my financial backers actually paid me for my ideas. Not every philosophy student will choose to start a business, but those that do will find they have many of the necessary skill sets to succeed.
Luke Tatone, '02
Founder & Chairman of AKT Global, LLC, providing staffing solutions to leading independent accounting firms in the developed English-speaking world. AKT Global has 150 staff with operations and clients on five continents and eleven time zones.
Business/Software Consultant
...my degree helped me specifically get to where I am currently. It has helped me to better weed through insignificant static, identify and abstract what really matters, and ensure that those pieces flow logically together. It also has helped me to communicate what is oftentimes very complex in fairly succinct and clear ways. And as a consultant and an advisor, these skills are critical for my success.
Steve Rousopoulos, '03
General Manager
Catalyst Software Solutions, Inc.
Seminary/Pastor
A few weeks ago, a young adult walked into my office and told me that she had troubling doubts about whether or not Christianity was true. To her surprise I told her that I had similar doubts at one time but had pursued them to my satisfaction while in college. Being a Philosophy major at Taylor gave me an opportunity to seek the truth, and today as a Pastor I help others to do the same.
Rev. Timothy A. Brown, '96
Associate Pastor of Adult Education
Cornerstone EPC, Brighton, MI
Seminary/Ministry
As I complete my Masters of Divinity, I'm grateful for my background in philosophy. It taught me "how to think" in two respects. On the one hand, I learned how to read and think critically, identifying an author's presuppositions and methodology... I've learned that the careful, nuanced thinking I became accustomed to in philosophy has also been essential in formulatig and expressing the orthodox confessions of the Church. On the other hand, I also learned to think humbly. Having my ears opened to the historical conversation of philosophy taught me to speak more softly and to listen more carefully, making me a more charitable, sympathetic student in my current studies. I trust these traits will continue to serve me after school, when these skills are no longer engaged primarily with texts but with members of the Church.
Tommy Grimm, '03
M.Div. student, Duke Divinity School
