People trained in philosophy are not only prepared to work in many fields, they can also readily cope with change of work or even of careers. There are people trained in philosophy in just about every field. Philosophy is also of great value to students aiming at graduate school. As law, medical, business, and other professional school faculty and admissions personnel have often said, philosophy is excellent preparation for both graduate training and later careers. Moreover, the long-range value of philosophical study goes far beyond its contribution to one's livelihood.
Philosophy broadens the range of things one can understand and enjoy.
It can give one self-knowledge, foresight, and a sense of direction in life. It can provide, to one's reading and conversation, special pleasures of insight. Through all of this, and through its contribution to one's expressive powers, it nurtures individuality and self-esteem. Philosophy courses differ greatly from one to another, depending on the instructor, the topics, and other factors. But typically, Philosophy teachers encourage students to be critical, to develop their own ideas, and to appreciate both differences between things that appear alike and similarities between things that seem utterly different.