Ushana Jayasuriya

Ushana wields the broad, critical-thinking skills that she developed while studying Philosophy in her role working with and analysing data for Stats NZ.

Photo of Ushana Jayasuriya. Ushana wears a pink blazer and smiles at the camera. Ushana stands in front of a fence. In the background is a forested hill.

Philosophy is one of those subjects people hear about but generally don’t know much about at all. I thought I would give it a go and loved the way it challenged my way of thinking. In the school environment, we learned to memorise content but not to challenge it. Every major social or political issue, and even the conception of what is real, can be explored in Philosophy. I quickly realised its importance in training the mind for making strong, valid, and sound arguments. I found the subject covered a huge range of issues, so you were never dealing with the same thing for long. There is something for people wanting to work at the different levels of the discipline and for different learning approaches: practical (logic), ethics, and meta-level thinking. Amongst Philosophy students and graduates there is also a great community of thinkers who can speak on a wide range of topics and are genuinely interested in learning more and spreading knowledge.

Critical-thinking skills are the most valuable skills I have gained through my study. I learnt how to deconstruct and create arguments that look beyond the obvious (or not obvious at all) issues and find a basis for analysing them. Critical-thinking and analytical skills were essential for my first policy role as an analyst at the Education Review Office. In fact, in the interview I was asked why I chose to continue my study in Philosophy and not Law, and I explained that I wanted to examine the ‘why’ rather than the ‘what’ of issues and challenges in society. I was then told by the interviewers that an analyst job would fit me perfectly. This is because the ability to argue from different viewpoints and present findings concisely for a range of audiences and not just the subject matter experts in the sector is a core policy skill.

In my current role as a policy advisor at Stats NZ it is important to understand the wider ethical framework that I am operating within. This role involves considerations of how data is collected, managed, and used across Aotearoa and naturally lends itself to philosophical inquiry on when this is appropriate, the limits of social licence, and the value of intangible assets. During and between these roles, I completed further study for my Master of Arts and my PhD in Climate Justice. This study created new opportunities, including contract work as a consultant for research organisations looking at guidance for communities in gender-just transitions and just-transitions (towards a low-carbon future).

I would highly recommend Philosophy as a course or major subject to engage with. The skills I gained from Philosophy have set me up to pursue a range of career opportunities. A broad mind and critical-thinking skills are valued by many employers. If you are up for a mental challenge then it is the subject for you, as you will embrace and confront the assumptions that guide our interactions and thoughts every day.