Business - PHI

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Business

Philosophy Career Pathways

What is Business?

The field of business focuses on how organizations operate, solve problems, and create value through areas like management, marketing, human resources, consulting, operations, and strategy. At its core, business is deeply decision-focused and people-centered, making it a strong fit for philosophy majors who study logic, ethics, critical thinking, and argumentation.

Philosophy in Practice

Philosophy plays a direct, applied role in many areas of business and professional work. Philosophical training supports structured thinking, problem-solving, and evaluating multiple solutions to complex organizational challenges. Philosophy also helps with understanding ethical decision-making, workplace policies, and fairness in systems that impact people.

Business for Philosophy Majors

Explore sub-fields of business that are fit for philosophy majors. Click on the hyperlinked sample job posts to see real job postings that detail the position's responsibilities and qualifications. 

  • Management and Operations
  • About Field
    Management and operations focuses on how organizations function, make decisions, coordinate people and resources, and achieve strategic goals. Professionals in this area help improve efficiency, solve organizational challenges, manage projects, and support leadership across a wide range of industries.

    Sample Job Posts
    • Assistant Store Operations Manager
    • Operations Manager

    Sample Job Titles
    Business Manager, Department Manager, District Manager, General Manager, Operations Director
  • Marketing and Advertisement
  • About Field
    Marketing focuses on understanding consumer needs, shaping messages, and influencing purchasing behavior through branding, advertising, and market research. It combines data analysis, creativity, and strategic messaging to connect organizations with their target markets.

    Sample Job Posts
    • Communications Assistant 
    • Marketing Assistant
    • Communications Specialist

    Sample Job Titles
    Brand Coordinator, Business Development Specialist, Demographic Analyst, Market Analyst, Market Research Analyst, Market Research Consultant, Market Research Specialist, Market Researcher, Marketing Strategist

How to Prepare for a Career in Business

Do your Research

The steps you take to prepare for a career in business depend on what kind of position you want to pursue. For an overview on how to conduct research on your professions of interest, look at our Work Research section on the right. Here are some other starting points:

 

 

Supplement Your Bachelor's Degree

Consider the following course, double major, minor, and experiential recommendations during your academic journey

  • Philosophy Major Course Recommendations
  • PHI 05 — Critical Reasoning (required for PHI AB Pre-Law)
    PHI 14 — Ethical & Social Problems in Contemporary Society
    PHI 16 —  Philosophy Foundations of American Democracy
    PHI 24 — Introduction to Ethics (required for PHI AB Pre-Law)
    PHI 31 — Appraising Scientific Reasoning

    PHI 103 — Philosophy on Mind
    PHI 104 — The Evolution of Mind
    PHI 109 — Philosophy of the Social Sciences
    PHI 112 — Intermediate Symbolic Logic (required for PHI AB Pre-Law)
    PHI 114 — History of Ethics
    PHI 115 — Problems in Normative Ethics
    PHI 116 — Ethical Theories
    PHI 119 — Philosophy of Law (required for PHI AB Pre-Law)
    PHI 117 — Foundations of Ethics
    PHI 125 — Theory of Action
    PHI 128 — Rationality
  • Double Major Recommendations
  • Business
    Cognitive Science
    Communication
    Economics
    Managerial Economics
    Mathematical Analytics & Operations Research
    Psychology
    Sociology - Organizational Studies
    Statistics
  • Minor Recommendations
  • Accounting
    Communication
    Contemporary Leadership
    Managerial Economics
    Psychology
    Statistics
    Technology Management
  • Work Experience and Internship Recommendations
  • It is highly recommended that all undergraduate students engage in part-time work, internships, volunteering, and other extracurricular opportunities. ANY experience is RELEVANT experience. 

    General Experiential Education Recommendations for Philosophy Students

    Business Specific Recommendations
    • Any work environment requires lead, supervisors, and managers to operate. Pursue shift lead positions in a retail or food-service position.
    • Pursue leadership positions for student organizations, whether it's an elected position or a committee head
    • Many departments on campus will hire for a Social Media Assistant as a student position. This can involve running their social media profiles, website, or newsletter. 
    • Student organizations and clubs on campus also have positions for social media and marketing relations
    • ASUCD employs students for a variety of positions involved in social media management
    • Use the key terms Marketing/Social Media+ Intern/Assistant/Coordinator in job search boards
  • Campus Organization Recommendations
  • Davis Women in Business
    Davis Women in Business (DWIB) is one of the largest professional organizations at UC Davis. We aim to build a community of high-achieving leaders who challenge themselves and others to bring their voices and ideas to the table. We focus on helping our members get to the next level. 

    Economics and Business Student Association
    The Economics and Business Student Association (EBSA) is the largest undergraduate professional business organization at the University of California, Davis. Founded in 2012, our mission is to empower students to pursue careers in business, economics, and other related fields.

    Human Resources Management Association at UC Davis
    Our purpose is to provide students with the fundamentals of offer letters and benefit packages, equip them with the tools to negotiate salaries, enhance interviewing skills, and foster self-advocacy. We aim to cultivate a supportive community of aspiring HR professionals and facilitate learning opportunities for the broader business community at UC Davis, offering workshops on cover letters, resumes, and other essential career development topics. Through these initiatives, we strive to bridge the gap between academia and industry, empowering individuals to achieve their career goals with confidence and competence.

    Phi Chi Theta, Eta Epsilon
    Phi Chi Theta (PCT) is a national co-ed professional fraternity in business and economics, established in Chicago in 1924 by six women from rival business fraternities. With over 23,000 members nationwide, PCT focuses on developing professional leadership skills, fostering a supportive network, and promoting business education. The fraternity emphasizes values, codes, and professionalism, aiming to enhance business acumen, encourage cooperation, and stimulate dedication among members preparing for business careers.

    Pipinix in Business and Law
    The mission statement of Pilipinx in Business and Law is to provide a community with whom students interested in pursuing careers in business, law, and other related fields can feel supported academically, socially, culturally, and professionally. We strive to empower others by exploring the Pilipinx identity as well as encouraging growth through awareness and advocacy within these fields.

Graduate School for Business

Graduation cap decorated with white and yellow flowers and blue stickers, seen from behind

What is Graduate School? What is a Graduate Degree?

Understand what graduate school is with this page from the Pre-Grad Advising Office. Pre-Grad Advisors are available to meet with students to discuss if graduate school is right for you .

Do I Need Graduate School for Business?

Graduate school may not be required for many entry-level careers in business. Philosophy majors can pursue positions in areas like marketing, advertisement, and operations with only a bachelor’s degree. In many business fields, relevant experience, internships, leadership, networking, and transferable skills are often just as important as graduate education.

Graduate school may be worth considering if you:

  • Want to qualify for higher-level leadership or management positions
  • Want to specialize in a specific area such as organizational development, consumer behavior, or analytics
  • Are interested in careers involving research, assessment, consulting, or advanced data analysis
  • Find that positions you are interested in consistently prefer or require graduate degrees
  • Want to increase your long-term earning potential or career mobility
  • Enjoy academic learning and want deeper training in a subject area

Before pursuing graduate school, it is important to research the careers you are considering and determine whether a graduate degree is necessary, preferred, or optional for those paths.

Common Graduate Programs Related to Business

  • Business Administration (with several concentrations)
  • Organizational Leadership
  • Marketing Analytics
  • Business Analytics
  • Consumer Sciences