Northern Illinois University
Department of Philosophy
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Janai Crumbley

Why did you choose to major in philosophy?

When I first started school, I knew two things: (1) I wanted to understand everything about people and the human experience, and (2) I was interested in exploring why we interact the way we do. This led me to learn more about philosophy and the career opportunities associated with obtaining a philosophy degree.

How did NIU Philosophy help prepare you for what you’re doing now?

I am grateful for my education in philosophy at NIU because it helped me develop critical thinking skills and a mindset that remains dynamic. As a law student, it is essential to think on your feet and outside the box. Throughout law school, I often find myself reflecting on the concepts I learned during my undergraduate studies. The law intersects with philosophy in that law governs our world while philosophy helps explain the nature of our interactions. In terms of technical skills, my coursework involved extensive reading, analysis, and presentation of written summaries and critiques, which is a big part of what I do as a law student.

What do you feel is special about NIU Philosophy?

Having taken philosophy courses at an out-of-state university, I can say that my experience at NIU Philosophy was highly personalized and incorporated aspects of diversity concerning gender and sexual representation. This is something I appreciated and found unique about NIU Philosophy.

Why would you recommend NIU Philosophy to other students?

I would recommend NIU Philosophy to students who have a clear educational plan and wish to use their degree to enhance their critical thinking and interpersonal skills. The flexibility of a philosophy degree allows for diverse career paths and prepares students in a way that few other degrees can.