Hello Everyone. This is Week 4 and we are focusing on Research Skills & Interdisciplinary Problem Solving. We are all constantly learning either by taking classes or by job experiences. In each of these we can try to excel on our own, but lets face it. Planning and research is the key. We need some outlet to get creative and our minds thinking. It’s a skill that teachers have been drilling into us our whole lives because it’s so valuable. We use all sorts of research skills in order to complete work goals and course research assignments.
Answer These and Do This:
• What certain abilities do you find very useful when completing a research project? How can research help you in an employment setting? Also remember to think Interdisciplinary. How might your ability to solve problems from an interdisciplinary perspective be valuable to an employer?
• Create a potential (fictitious but believable) work scenario where your research and problem solving skills as an interdisciplinary thinker might come into play.
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I find that concentration is a big thing for me when I am trying to complete research. I have to really set my mind to sitting down and devoting uninterrupted time to planning out my research project, making the most of the time that I am using, and then following the plan I made for myself. Great research abilities can really make someone shine above others in the workplace in my opinion. Not everyone has effective research skills, or the capabilities and knowledge to put together a project like that. I think an employer would notice someone who knew how to plan out a project, identify what the goal is and get to that goal in a respectable time frame, without wasting time or neglecting other duties. Having an interdisciplinary background would allow a person to think out of the box. Some people have such a specified education that they don't have to knowledge to think outside his or her field. Being knowledgeable about several areas might allow someone to have a new perspective on an old topic.
ReplyDeleteI think an area where interdisciplinary study would come in handy is the advertising field. Say you worked at an advertising agency and there is a client who has a product they want to promote but they can not find the right agency for them. If you had a degree in psychology as well as communication and marketing you may be better suited to represent these people. You have knowledge of how people might react or behave in certain situations, so you can create an atmosphere that will be beneficial to you and make the client feel comfortable. You can also come up with a pitch for their product that the public will be attracted to because of the knowledge of how to market things and the behavior of the people to that marketing and the product attached to it.
~Simone A Cohen
I think that interest in the subject that I am researching is very important in being able to do a good job with the project. Research can help in many ways in an employment setting. Before even interviewing for a job it is important to research the company and find out what their culture is like and make sure you could fit into that kind of setting. Also, it is important to know how to research things in case you don’t know how to do something you can find out through resources on the internet or books. By having a degree that incorporates three areas of study is very helpful; because it can give me an edge over the competition because I know a few different areas where as somebody else may just have one area of study.
ReplyDeleteMy areas of study would be most applicable to the hospitality field. If there was a situation that happened in a hotel that might be a legal issue I could really help out in figuring out what to do. For example, unfortunately sometimes a guest is checked into an occupied room and there have been times that a guest will stay in the occupied room even if they see that another guest’s belongings are in that room. With my minor in hospitality I know how hotels work, with my focus in law I know guest’s rights and laws pertaining to hospitality, and with my focus in psychology I can have an idea of what was going on in the guest’s mind and why they reacted a certain way. This situation is something that I can help the hotel with because of my backgrounds and research in each field.
-Ashley Glass
The abilities I find useful when completing a research project are my technical skills that I have learned over the years. Research skills are a valuable tool to have in any employment setting because inadvertently questions arise, developments occur and answers must be found. Especially when working in a customer service environment one must be able to find the answers to the problems that arise in order to remain productive. I believe the ability to solve problems from an Interdisciplinary perspective can be very valuable to an employer. An Interdisciplinary perspective lends to several points of view which allows a broader spectrum of solutions when problem solving. I think this is an asset to any organization.
ReplyDeleteWork Scenario – Interdisciplinary Study is valuable in my current position here at UCF. As the Office Assistant/Peer Advisor for the Academic Advising Office on the Cocoa Campus I am asked to take on many roles. Besides my regular job in advising I work 10 hours per week in Enrollment Services and help students with Admissions and Financial Aid. I work with the students daily and all kinds of issues arise. Advising and Enrollment Services are somewhat entwined and I am in the unique position of being able to see the students in both offices. Some of my daily activities include showing students how to navigate the UCF website. I help them with admission, financial aid and advising forms, registering for their classes, explain programs, counsel them and point them to the places they need to go whether it is advising, financial aid, or student services. My areas of concentration are Behavioral/Social Science, Commerce and Legal Studies. I use each one of these areas in my line of work.
ReplyDelete@ Simone
ReplyDeleteI agree that concentration is the key to getting research done. It does take a lot of time and planning but like you stated in the end, it only benefits you. You will shine above others in an employer setting. If one has a job or a full course schedule. What skills do you use for time management skills? Also what a great example of a work setting using you’re interdisciplinary skills. Outside the box one must think of all the aspects of advertising, the media, finances, psychology factor, communication, and marketing.
@Ashley
That is a very good point Ashley. One does needs to know how to research through e-books, library and other media in order to complete the research project. How did you learn to do this, through school or by other assistance? Also what a very unique job example using your interdisciplinary skills. I had no idea without you point it out that hotels have their own set of laws as such.
@ Diana
I agree that technical skills are very important. What kind of technical skills do you have/use? This could be very important when using new materials such as excel or PowerPoint programs. Also I am very glad to hear that you are an adviser. That does utilize a lot of different disciplines. I bet it gets pretty stressful some days. Does IDS help you think outside the box during these situations?
I find that organization is one of the most key components to a successful research project. I have to stay organized to stay on track. One aspect of this is to keep a record of your research - typically I use an outline. It helps me to stay focused on what I am really trying to find. Also, cite your websites and sources as you find them. There is nothing worse than finding a good source, forgetting to cite it, then having to find it again later.
ReplyDeleteIn an employment setting research will continue to stay relevent. To keep learning one must keep searching, discovering, and expanding your knowledge. I see research as an action that is available to everyone, but it is certainly something that must be improved upon with time. It will be just as necessary in employment settings than it is at school.
Being able to think on an interdisciplinary track is always going to create a more well-rounded decision making process. I will be able to be a writer that can also have an advanced understandings of artistic merit and how the mass media can effect or be effected by the work my company is doing.
@ Ashley:
ReplyDeleteI like the scenario you created in the hotel business, and it indeed seems that your education in legal studies will lend a hand to a variety of scenarios in the hospitality field.
@ Diana:
I agree with you on the advantages of an interdisciplinary education in the workplace. Specialized knowledge can, in a way, hinder employees when they are needed to think outside the box, like you said.
@ Simone:
I feel the same way about researching - your environment is crucial and a healthy study area is essential for effective research. Many people don't see what is "so hard" about good research, but it is certainly a practice that requires work to be good at. Bad research creates bad outcomes.
Elise,
ReplyDeleteI see we have a pretty similar outlook on how to best achieve our goals for researching and such. It really is the only way to go though, if you are distracted all the time then your information will be fragmented and choppy, it wont flow well.
Simone Cohen
David,
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with you. Not only will poor research turn out with a bad result you might damage someone or something in the process. What if that research was about the affects of a new drug has on people. You might inadvertently cause someones death. I don't know about other people but I am not willing to have that on my shoulders!
Simone A Cohen
When doing a research project I believe it is critical to brainstorm and outline those thoughts. Some people dive right into a situation and play it by ear. I found out that method doesnt work for me. To do great work it takes time and effort.If you follow a guideline it will help to stay on point. Sometimes employers throw a monkey wrench at you during this project but the outline should provide space for changes. Jot down those changes that have been made. All in all you must be organized, precise, and a finisher when doing research projects.
ReplyDeleteSay for instance a hopsital is looking for a new Human Resources manager. If an applicant is an IDS major I believe the chances are better for them. Imagine two applicants walk in. One has a degree in Health Services. Applicant number two is an IDS major. Her areas of concentration were communication, commerce, and a minor in health. I believe the hospital has now found their new manager and their problems are solved.
Janelle Brooks
@Elise
ReplyDeleteOver the years I have had to learn to be very proficient in the Microsoft applications as well as database programs and financial software applications. Thankfully this has been a great asset for navigational purposes with some of my course assignments. Returning to college after 20 years in the workplace has been quite the challenge I must say. Sometimes I feel like I’ve been catapulted into another whole life. My position(s) at UCF allows me to think outside of the box almost daily. I am currently serving on our Recruitment and Retention Committee for the Cocoa Campus and, we are in the process of brainstorming marketing activities to gear up for the Fall semester. This is giving me the opportunity to use some of the marketing skills I had to use in the mortgage industry and apply to this new line of work. As far as stress level is concerned, I try not to let the stress get to me. I take it as it comes and let it energize me. It works out better that way!
@David
ReplyDeleteYou make some very good points. Research is crucial to continued learning. In the workplace sometimes you will be called upon to find answers and in order to get the job done your research techniques and skills must be honed in order to be valuable tools. I also agree with your statement about thinking on an interdisciplinary track lending to a “well-rounded decision making process”. Specialized knowledge is good sometimes but, I do think it can limit a person’s ability to think outside the box sometimes.
@ David
ReplyDeleteI think you practice excellent organizational skills. And outline and citing sources is great advise that i think everyone should use.
@ Janelle
Excellent advise for doing research that best suit your personal needs and comfort. Everyone does things their own way and i am glad you can utilize all your resources.