Profile: Valerie Focke, Philos, events organiser
Print versionWhich degree did you do (BA/MA) and when did you graduate?
I graduated in 2008 with a BA in Philosophy
What are you doing now and how did you get there?
I am currently doing a Masters and have also started my own arts events company after experimenting with a range of jobs: recruitment, fashion PR and arts events. I fell into recruitment as I am a German speaker: they found my CV on Monster during the summer after my graduation. I learnt a lot about business whilst I was working in recruitment: it was quite an eye-opener to the business world and its cut-throat elements.
During the summer period after my degree, I looked into jobs in the creative industries but, with a degree in a non-media subject, found that my qualification was not relevant to some. I put my CV online and contacted friends I had in various jobs to give me work placements. Eventually, I received a reply to do an unpaid PR internship. I was thrilled as I felt this was going more into the direction of what I felt that I wanted to do. I learnt a lot but unfortunately, I did not see there being an option of paid employment due to the strict budgets of the company. The industry itself uses the notion of internship as a version of cheap labour, which is mutually beneficial on the surface at least. I loved my time there but after 6 months of working 45 hours a week for free and then 25-30 hours a week in a bar to pay the rent, found it quite tiring.
I was approached by a friend in arts events, and helped a very experienced team put on large scale events. After this, and to help pay for my Masters, I decided to set up my own company.
Finding the graduate job market extremely tough, I have found that nothing is more rewarding than working for yourself. Rewarding and challenging and frustrating. Apart from the day of my graduation, I have never felt more fulfilled than when I got Sotheby's to support my venture. I understand, from my time in a sales environment and my time doing PR, that if you can bring genuine enthusiasm towards something - as I did with philosophy - you can get others excited about it too.
I have learnt that you have to pursue what you want to do single-mindedly. I have recently gone back to recruitment to earn the money for the Masters (after some financial set backs - I put up the money for some of my events and took this from my Masters fund). It has meant a departure from my end goal. I wish I would have stuck with both the Masters plan and the arts events a little more, as now I am finding a lot of time taken up with a job that I find does not quite suit me.
During the summer period after my degree, I looked into jobs in the creative industries but, with a degree in a non-media subject, found that my qualification was not relevant to some. I put my CV online and contacted friends I had in various jobs to give me work placements. Eventually, I received a reply to do an unpaid PR internship. I was thrilled as I felt this was going more into the direction of what I felt that I wanted to do. I learnt a lot but unfortunately, I did not see there being an option of paid employment due to the strict budgets of the company. The industry itself uses the notion of internship as a version of cheap labour, which is mutually beneficial on the surface at least. I loved my time there but after 6 months of working 45 hours a week for free and then 25-30 hours a week in a bar to pay the rent, found it quite tiring.
I was approached by a friend in arts events, and helped a very experienced team put on large scale events. After this, and to help pay for my Masters, I decided to set up my own company.
Finding the graduate job market extremely tough, I have found that nothing is more rewarding than working for yourself. Rewarding and challenging and frustrating. Apart from the day of my graduation, I have never felt more fulfilled than when I got Sotheby's to support my venture. I understand, from my time in a sales environment and my time doing PR, that if you can bring genuine enthusiasm towards something - as I did with philosophy - you can get others excited about it too.
I have learnt that you have to pursue what you want to do single-mindedly. I have recently gone back to recruitment to earn the money for the Masters (after some financial set backs - I put up the money for some of my events and took this from my Masters fund). It has meant a departure from my end goal. I wish I would have stuck with both the Masters plan and the arts events a little more, as now I am finding a lot of time taken up with a job that I find does not quite suit me.
How has studying Philosophy helped you?
Philosophy is a big passion of mine. One definite advantage is people's perception of the subject. In the business sphere, the traditional academic disciplines are greatly regarded. As a graduate, you often do not quite get the recognition you thought you would be due - a degree is not a passport to a good job.
I have found, however, that Philosophy has helped me immeasurably in my day-to-day life. It helps you to analyze problems and wait to make your stand once you have decided what is the right course of action. It allows you to see where other people are coming from. This is vital when trying to persuade them of your point of view. As in a game of chess, the philosopher can see the objection coming and responds to it before it can be raised. The dialectic interchange toughens you in business negotiations too.
I cannot recommend studying Philosophy enough. However, I would point out, that you need to be aware of how you are going to turn it to your advantage in order to achieve your business objectives. But I think convincing someone to believe in you shouldn't be a problem.
I have found, however, that Philosophy has helped me immeasurably in my day-to-day life. It helps you to analyze problems and wait to make your stand once you have decided what is the right course of action. It allows you to see where other people are coming from. This is vital when trying to persuade them of your point of view. As in a game of chess, the philosopher can see the objection coming and responds to it before it can be raised. The dialectic interchange toughens you in business negotiations too.
I cannot recommend studying Philosophy enough. However, I would point out, that you need to be aware of how you are going to turn it to your advantage in order to achieve your business objectives. But I think convincing someone to believe in you shouldn't be a problem.
