The Careers Adviser

'Are job prospects good with a philosophy degree? And how can I become a stockbroker?'

Let's get philosophical

Q. I want to study philosophy at Cambridge. Could you advise me on employment prospects with that degree? I am aware that unemployment with a degree from that university is low, but I am unsure as to what kind of job I could do afterwards.

A. A philosophy degree provides an excellent general intellectual training. You would develop skills that are less job-specific and more general, such as the ability to think logically, analyse critically and communicate articulately and accurately. These are skills employers say are important for management roles and are difficult to find in our fast-moving economy.

For tips on these skills and how to make the best use of them, see the document at www.heacademy.ac.uk/employability/philosophy.pdf.

You might also find that the grade of your degree is more important than the subject. Up to 70 per cent of employers who specifically target Cambridge undergraduates are looking for a good (2.1 or above) degree in any subject. If you are passionate about a subject, it is easier to do well in it and get that good grade.

Last year, 51 per cent of Cambridge philosophy graduates went directly into employment - into jobs in management consultancy, ICT, publishing, recruitment, retail management and finance. For ideas about possible career paths, see www.prospects.ac.uk/links/options.

If you are concerned that reading this subject at university won't develop other attributes that are valued in the world of work - such as numerical skills or commercial awareness - you'd be right. But you should bear in mind that employers will be looking at graduates as a whole package and will want to see that skills have been developed from a wide variety of sources, such as part-time work, sports or societies and outside courses.

Time to take stock

Q. I'm 14 years old. In my class, we were discussing the stock market. I was intrigued by the subject. Could you tell me where to find out more about it, and what subjects I would need to be a stockbroker?

A. It's great to have a strong interest in a career route at this stage. Right now, though, you should study the things you find interesting and enjoy, rather than focus on a subject because you think it might advance your career later on.

If you enjoy the subjects that might be useful, such as maths, business studies or economics, do those. But remember: you're more likely to get good grades if you like your subjects.

To become a stockbroker, you will normally need a degree, and you can think later about whether accounting, management, business studies or any related degrees are for you. But the right skills and attitude will take you far, whatever your degree. Employers are often looking for someone with a good academic record and a willingness to learn, so they can train them in their particular areas.

Read the simple description of a stockbroker's job on www.learndirect-advice.co.uk (look under job profiles). The London Stock Exchange doesn't recruit stockbrokers; member firms do this, and they vary in size from multinational banks to smaller firms.

Other sites with career sections include www.apcims.co.uk (under FAQs) and www.sii.org.uk. If you keep up your interest, look for work experience when you are over 16 - jobs that prove you can communicate well with people or work in a team will be useful, as well as those in more directly relevant fields.

Careers adviser: Deborah Fowlis, careers consultant, Graduate Prospects

Send your queries to Caroline Haydon at 'The Independent', Education Desk, Independent House, 191 Marsh Wall, London E14 9RS; fax 020-7005 2143; or e-mail chaydon@blueyonder.co.uk