The Politics of Expertise with Thomas J. Whitley

Abstract

What are the professional limits of a graduate degree in religious studies? According to Thomas J. Whitley, these limits solely depend on one’s ability to interpret their skills outside the realm of academia. Having received four postsecondary degrees in religious studies, Whitley, rather than pursuing work in the precarious academic job market, took his skills into the world of politics, ultimately becoming Chief of Staff for the city of Tallahassee, Florida. In this interview with the Bulletin, Whitley shares his journey into marketing his degree, stressing the importance for humanities students to be able to articulate their skills beyond the scope of academia.