The tech industry has a high demand for this “useless” liberal arts degree.
Throughout Silicon Valley, Seattle, Austin and even smaller tech startups, there’s an unexpected degree that’s gaining major traction and quickly becoming one of the hottest in the field; and that degree — is philosophy. Yes, you read that correctly, the oft-considered “worthless liberal arts degree” could now snag you big bucks in the ever-growing tech field.
Tech companies don’t know what you want — and they need “that degree” to break it down for them.
Silicon Valley’s biggest problem boils down to a common communication issue: A coder wants to make something that is revolutionary and will be easily accessible to a wide variety of consumers. But he first needs to know what exactly would make for the “revolutionary” and “accessible,” This is where philosophy major steps in — who can actually connect with the consumers and see what they want/need in a product. But the ball doesn’t stop there.
In an increasingly specialized space, this kind of “critical thinker” is the hottest new buzzword — and real solution — for coders?
In the thick of the breakneck progress, the core of tech companies, the coding and development teams, can be too specialized to see the big picture — which may as well be the motto of a philosophy degree. Taking a mindful step back from the hyper-focus of the cutting edge in the hundreds of coding and development positions, the hunt has begun for nontechnical positions that amount to a functioning ‘intuitive, informed outsider.’ Their goal is an important, and increasingly tangible necessity: reconnect the whole to its parts. Philosophy majors tend to be more efficient and acute with critical thinking, and are being employed in helping to facilitate productive relationships across the board, from the consumer to coders and even sales positions.
It’s time for tech companies to re-access the root of communication — creating, and marketing, tech solutions for the everyday human. So the next time someone starts to make fun of a liberal arts degree, just smile and wave — you’ll be the one with the money in the bank!