In this Alumni Spotlight, we feature Bridget Berdit, a 2021 graduate of Georgia State’s Philosophy M.A. program and current PhD candidate at Boston University. Bridget reflects on how her time at GSU shaped her academic path, offers advice for prospective philosophy majors, and shares her favorite classes and experiences. She also talks about her personal interests in music, books, and shows like Heartstopper. Check out the interview below to read more about her inspiring journey.
Could you introduce yourself with your name, graduation year, and current job title?
My name is Bridget Berdit, and I graduated from Georgia State’s philosophy M.A. program in 2021. I’m currently completing my PhD in Philosophy at Boston University. Prior to BU, I was a visiting instructor of philosophy at GSU, as well as an academic advisor.
What inspired you to pursue a degree in Philosophy?
Well, my first exposure to philosophy was in sophomore year of undergrad when I took an Intro to Philosophy course to fulfill a gen-ed requirement. A friend recommended it, and I had no idea what to expect. But it turned out to be a profound experience. It was the first class I had taken where I didn’t question why I should be taking it or why it mattered. I just saw the value in it. I’m sure lot of philosophy majors experienced something similar.
Even so, I didn’t continue with the major because I thought philosophy was more valuable or satisfying than other subjects. I continued, in part, because it opened those subjects up to me in a way that I hadn’t experienced before. It helped me see the deeper questions underlying everything I was studying—whether it was science, literature, or even just my interactions with others. Once I started to pursue understanding, which I take to be characteristic of philosophy, I started to grasp those subjects in a way that wasn’t just propositional. There’s just a depth to it all that I don’t think I would have appreciated prior to my degree. In this way, I take philosophy to be like playing a game of chess or 8-ball. The more you understand, the less contingency there will be, and the better you can express your agency.
How does your degree impact your current field? Which skills from Philosophy have you found most valuable in the workplace?
The most obvious way is that it prepared me to be an academic philosopher. Although my undergraduate institution was a great place to be a philosophy major, I never really knew what professional philosophy looked like until I entered GSU’s program. The professors at GSU hold you to such rigorous standards that it’s hard not to walk away with a level of clarity and precision that’s valuable far beyond graduate school. Though I still have much to learn, I’ve come a long way in learning how to motivate and clarify the questions that interest me. It’s not an easy program, but it really is rewarding.
What were some of your favorite classes or topics in Philosophy at GSU?
Dr. Berry’s classes on Schopenhauer and Nietzsche, for sure. Those classes were legendary. I also really enjoyed Dr. Rand’s class on Hegel’s Philosophy of Mind, Dr. Wilson’s class on Hume’s Moral Philosophy, and Dr. Nahmias’ Moral Psychology class, all of which will go down as favorites in my book.
Do you have any advice for students considering a Philosophy major?
Well, there are a lot of great reasons to be a philosophy major at GSU, but at the end of the day, only you can make that choice, so just do what you love. I think I spent a lot of time talking to professors about whether I should pursue philosophy or not, and it was almost dizzying. Really, I just wanted to be told what to do, thinking there was only one right answer and that my professors could reveal that path to me. But the truth is we are free to do many things. We can’t do them all, so we have to choose. Some things we’ll love deeply and sincerely, but sometimes that love is only prima facie. You kind of have to be open to the experimenting.
If that’s scary, remember you can start small, too! Take more classes, add a minor, go to philosophy club or other events. You have to see what you like and dislike by inquiring. That’s the fun part, even if it might be a little scary.
What other interests or hobbies do you have? Are there any books, shows, or podcasts you’re enjoying right now?
I really enjoy the water—I would almost always rather be in the water than on land. When I am on land, I enjoy hiking and spending time with my dog, Arthur.
I also enjoy listening to music. My favorite artist is Mac Miller. There’s a real honesty to him, and when you pair that with his ability to manipulate language and communicate feeling through music, it creates something incredibly powerful and raw. I’m excited for his project, Balloonerism, to get an official release this January. I first heard the unofficial version when I was starting the MA program in 2019, right before the pandemic hit. I had it playing just about every day. Despite the title, it really kept me grounded during that time.
That said, I’m in dire need of podcast and book recommendations—most of my library is academic in nature. I do have Dostoevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov and Murakami’s Norwegian Wood on the list, though definitely not the lightest of reads.
As for TV shows, Netflix’s Heartstopper is definitely dear to my heart. Just when you think it’ll crush you, it shows you that heartbreak isn’t inevitable. It’s refreshing.