Since discovering, learning about and studying interdisciplinary studies I have gained new insights into the ways that professions coexist. For example, every single profession relates to and shows characteristics of running a business. Many people are out there studying and getting degrees non-business related. Yet when these people enter the workforce, they will have to apply principles and knowledge that would normally have been gained by attending business classes. The world today is one giant business under its mask of unrelated professions. In my own education, I see my study of both the Computer and Political Sciences as providing support for my Business foundation which, gives it all more meaning. By having a clear understanding of how the world interacts with itself and also have a firm grasp on the technological tools which can and are being used to integrate and streamline all aspects of a business, I have achieved depth as well as breadth in my education. Prior to this understanding, I saw the world as clearly defined compartments which housed each group of career paths and disciplines. Today, I see it all as one giant web which is only making itself stronger with more connections each day. I can only hope that I can continue to be a valuable part of this web, creating new connections and discovering old ones. In my opinion, flexibility is key today.
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What is your personal philosophy regarding your professional life? Is this interdisciplinary in nature? Why or why not? How has this view changed since you began your interdisciplinary life?
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@ Mikaela, I perceive my professional life to be interdisciplinary in nature. My areas of concentration are Behavioral /Social Science, Commerce, and Legal Studies. In my daily job activities I use my business and counseling skills and, I have to stay attuned to regulations and policies. My former profession as a Mortgage Loan Officer allowed me the fortunate experience of all three of these disciplines and now ironically I am working as the Office Assistant/Peer Advisor for UCF-Cocoa Academic Advising and I have been given the opportunity to use these very same skills. As you mentioned, business skills are an essential tool to have in the world today no matter what area one chooses to focus on. I think it is very important to be versatile and well rounded when seeking employment.
ReplyDeleteI think my professional life has a lot of interdisciplinary aspects in it. I work at a hotel and my concentrations are behavioral and social science, hospitality and legal studies. Both behavioral/social sciences and legal studies are a part of hospitality and help me perform my job on a day to day basis. Have 3 different concentrations makes it so that I am a more well rounded individual and can perform my job better.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Diana that it is very important to be versatile and well-rounded. It sets you apart from the competition.
~ Diana ~
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing! I'm happy to hear that you can see how almost everything we need to do today pulls on many different areas of thought. Maybe you can tell us what you think your life would've been like had you chosen to study the typical monodisciplinary education?
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~ Ashley ~
I would like to begin by reminding you again that you will not be able to receive credit for your posts if you are not signing each one with your full name as your username does not include your full first name. Moving on, I am glad to hear that you have a good understanding of how your education can be useful in real life applications. Flexibility certainly is key when living in today's world! What do you think preforming your job would be like if you had only chosen to study one discipline? (maybe like hospitality?)3
I believe my professional life is as diverse as it can get while at the same time being as integrated with other professional areas as it can get as well. My areas of concentration are forensics, behavioral and social sciences and my minor is criminal justice. I believe that separately these areas can be strong and provide a successful career but when put together can make for a better understanding of one's job and for a more fulfilling career as well. That might sound a bit confusing so I will explain. If I just had a degree in criminal justice I might be able to know about crime trends and research crime statistics. Now with the knowledge that I gained from my education within behavioral and social sciences I might be able to look deeper into those statistics and figure out the behavior that caused that crime. With that new knowledge someone might be able to prevent crime from happening in the first place by treating the root cause of the crime instead of just reacting to the crime after it has happened!
ReplyDeleteBefore I chose to be an interdisciplinary major I was just studying Forensics. With that narrow path I would have only been able to help crime from one angle, although that is a great contribution, getting dangerous people off the street through examination of evidence, I can do soo much more with the extra knowledge that I am gaining by being interdisciplinary.
SimoneA Cohen
Diana,
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with what you said about being versatile and well rounded when jumping into the job market. I believe being an interdisciplinary major is a great way to do that, it puts you a step above others in the sense that you are more knowledgeable about a greater number of things. As well as the extra knowledge and education I believe this major opens up the job market as well, instead of only being able to apply for a narrow category of jobs many more doors are opened and there is a greater variety of jobs that can be an option for you.
Simone Cohen
Ashley,
ReplyDeleteI think that an education in behavioral and social sciences is a great background to have while working in a hotel. That kind of profession is one where you are constantly in contact with people. Knowing a bit about he human psyche and the way people behave and for what reasons is very beneficial for people in the service industry. With that kind of knowledge it may be possible to calm down a situation that could easily get out of hand for example.
Simone Cohen
@Mikaela, I think life would be very boring without versatility. There is so much to see and learn in this world and I want to be able to explore every opportunity and possibility. I believe the only way to do that is to be curious to learn, remain open minded and receptive, and keep smiling :)
ReplyDelete@ Simone, It is very important to be well rounded and versatile in the job market. My experience has been that often the job descriptions are skeletal to the expectations. One has to be able to adapt to change and be willing to take on new responsibilities as the company you are employed with evolves. One way to do that is to stay educated in more than one discipline.
ReplyDeleteMy personal philosophy about my professional life is that I have to enjoy what I'm doing and love the way and processes of doing what I do. I currently lack a professional life per say but I do know what I'm looking for. Anything that I plan on doing in the future has be accommodate me rather than someone else because I like to do many things. I like to use my full potential in anything and everything I do. My areas of study are Behavioral & Social Sciences and Letters & Modern Languages along with 2 minors. It's not that I don't know what to do with my life, it's that I love everything and one thing that I can do is be me within everything. I believe it is interdisciplinary in nature because I know that what I do will incorporate all aspects of my studies. My goal is to understand people through psychology, anthropology, sociology, and language. My view has changed since I decided to adopt IDS as my major because I have been able to study things that I've never knew about. It has opened up a new pandora box for me to explore.
ReplyDelete-Valerie Perez
@Diana
ReplyDeleteI agree with you when you say the versatility and well-roundedness are key skills and features for finding employment because it truly is necessary. Everyone needs to expand their experiences because it's what employers look for especially if they are working with other people.
-Valerie Perez
@Simonie
ReplyDeleteI like how your areas of study all correlate to trying to stop crime at the root and I understand how working on one major really limits what you can do in the future especially if you want to know more about your specified area.
-Valerie Perez
I currently don't have a professional life. Nevertheless where I work is part time at an afterschool program. I found that my background in psychology allows me to understand these kids and especially their parents. Even though they are from a different background (race, socioeconomic status, and age) I found a way to relate. I set aside the difference and became personable. Once I did this the parents open up to me and allowed me into their personal life. Not that I wanted to be, but I wanted to reassure them that their child is in good hands. Also at my job we have students with disabilities that are more on the emotional and behavioral level. The knowledge I gained in my minor (Exceptional student ed) allows me look at the students differently. Before these classes, I couldnt understand why they acted how they did. Since I want to have a profession as an ESE teacher, I have a philosophy that in order to know my audience I have to understand and connect with them. My interdisciplinary major has made me realized this.
ReplyDeleteI think my professional life has a lot of interdisciplinary aspects in it. I work at a hotel and my concentrations are behavioral and social science, hospitality and legal studies. Both behavioral/social sciences and legal studies are a part of hospitality and help me perform my job on a day to day basis. Have 3 different concentrations makes it so that I am a more well rounded individual and can perform my job better.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Diana that it is very important to be versatile and well-rounded. It sets you apart from the competition.
Ashley Glass
(Sorry, I always forget to sign my name)
~ Simone ~
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your thoughts. It is clear to me that you have a strong grasp of this concept and idea. Keep it up!
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~ Diana ~
I share your sentiments to a "T"! Take advantage of every opportunity you can. But please, remember to take care of yourself and your body in the process. Some people forget to take care of their needs and sacrifice them for opportunities, this is something you will regret. But there is always something new to learn out there and the more you soak up, the more fun you will have, the more impressed others will be with you, and the more success you will have in life. Good luck!
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~ Valerie ~
While it is important to remain flexible and open to all possibilities, people will continue to ask you what your plans are for the future. And although I'm sure your answer will evolve as you experience and learn new things and discover new ideas, it is also important to have a plan. Plans will always change, but you should always be working towards a plan or goal with some sort of substance. So, I ask you now: What is your plan? What do you see yourself doing after graduation? How will you apply your interdisciplinarity to your professional life post-education?
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~ Janelle ~
I am glad to hear that your thought processes have expanded interdisciplinarily. Can you identify what might be some disciplines which you are using in your life and how they are interacting with one another in an interdisciplinary manner? We appreciate your thoughts!
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~ Ashley ~
That's wonderful! What might be some other possible applications for your interdisciplinary education for the future? Thanks for your input!