Braxton Corbin

About Braxton

Why did you choose this program?

I chose philosophy because I was on a quest for answers to lifelong questions about what it meant to live in the world. How to lead one’s life and the best way toward fulfillment without losing oneself in the miasma of constantly available information. The ability to converse with like-minded individuals whose focus was on questions that mattered to me most was a gift that words can’t express. HSU’s philosophy department was a program that provided me with the ability to explore my passions.

How did this program prepare you for your job?

As I continue to work toward my dreams, the employers I’ve encountered in logistics, marketing, and consulting—whether at startups or corporations—have consistently valued my unique perspective. A logical mind that retains creativity is hard to find. Many companies are unable to discover talent that can balance the need for their employees to take on complex problems while simultaneously coming up with unique solutions.

What did you enjoy most about the program?

My cohorts became lifelong friends who I can always count on but the faculty was by far my greatest asset. Every professor made a consistent effort to engage with their students inside and outside of the classroom. The best gift I received from their mentorship was the ability to think critically about the direction I was headed, the impact it would have on my happiness, as well as those around me and the world. Ultimately, their voices continue to provide me the ability to ask myself the tough questions that have come up after graduation.

What would you say to prospective students who are thinking about applying to this program?

A philosophy degree lends itself to a world of possibilities that are unique to the discipline. Any vision that you can conceive of for the life ahead of you will be enriched by your work in the philosophy department. Your time at HSU will serve you for years to come and provide innumerable benefits as you continue to work toward your dreams.

As an early adopter of the work-from-home dream in 2017, my experience was difficult. I had to continually prove myself to employers who were skeptical. What I found was that philosophy and my education at HSU gave me the necessary tools and perspective on the world to continue to advance without having to go into an office.

While many of my friends chased the golden shackles of high-paying office-based careers, I instead sought time and freedom. Colleagues and friends encouraged me to pursue this lifestyle stating that they could not find a reason which could justify why we should sacrifice today what we may not get to experience tomorrow.

Since graduating (prior to the pandemic) I’ve enjoyed 3-4 months of travel per year while still working. I’ve spent time in Ecuador, Mexico, Australia, and France.

With time and perseverance, my decision to study philosophy has paid off in ways I never dreamt were possible.