Drew Johnson, B.A. 2018

2018 Major: Philosophy; certificate in Policy Journalism Media Studies; minor in Political Science

How has being a Philosophy graduate from Duke helped shape you personally and/or professionally?

"As the lone Philosophy major at a software company full of engineers and computer scientists, I was admittedly skeptical about how well-prepared I was for my first job after Duke. I quickly realized, though, that my concerns were completely unwarranted: rather, my Philosophy education was a tremendous asset which positively differentiated myself from my more technically-minded peers. The Duke Philosophy curriculum equips students with a rich set of problem-solving skills that are transferrable to any discipline or industry, and I feel so fortunate to have this strong foundation to rely upon as I navigate my early business career. Simply put, my Duke Philosophy education fundamentally shaped my ability to lead, collaborate with others, and navigate complex challenges both in business and in my personal life. Choosing to major in Philosophy was the single best decision I made at Duke."

What advice would you give students in Duke's Philosophy programs? 

"Use clubs, extracurriculars, or an internship to expose yourself to a discipline or subject matter you know nothing about. As you navigate this uncertainty and discomfort in pursuit of success, you'll be surprised by how helpful your Philosophy training will be!"