Hey everyone! This week's mentoring topic is to review and recap what we've gone over since the project began. We've discussed the IDS degree, the modern job search, interviewing and networking, and interdisciplinary problem solving.
This week's assignment is in two parts. The first part is to give three takeaways you got from this project. This can come in the form of a brief (2-3 sentence) discussion about what your favorite assignments were and what you learned from them, or any other format you'd like.
The second part is a recap--what are your three areas and how do you find interdisciplinarity in them? I remember that my mentoring group asked us this question at the end of our project and it made me really think about the overlaps in my areas--even if it wasn't something I necessarily wanted to study or work in.
I hope you guys have enjoyed the project! If you have any questions please leave them in the comments!
I think this mentoring project was beneficial and I am taking away several useful insights from this blog. For me the most meaningful assignment that we did was the Modern Job Search. When completing that assignment I learned how much I really need to plan ahead. A great career won't fall into my lap, I won't get there without aiming for a specific goal and without a well laid out plan. I also need to be intentional in what activities I engage in now so I will develop relevant skills for my plans.
ReplyDeleteAnother post that I found relevant and helpful was the Critical Thinking article. It helped me explain what IDS does and what is useful for. Most importantly it bettered my understanding of my major. Seeing how a person of one discipline might not see a potential answer because he or she can’t see it because they have been trained to see a situation in one dimension shows how useful an IDS view is.
Minors in Communications, World Comparative Studies, and Education make up my IDS degree. The interdisciplinarity overlaps that I see in these areas are numerous. World Studies overlaps with Communication by showing how culture influences the communication process. While Communication overlaps World Studies by remind that our understanding a culture is through communication and how we can influence each other through our language. World Studies overlaps with Education by showing what cultural variations in my students that I need to pay attention to. While Education overlaps World Studies through showing differences in the education process and the pros and cons of each system. Each subject and their overlaps influence me to me a better holistic educator. I will incorporate knowledge of the discipline and integrate skills learned in each area to be a more ready teacher.
Rachel,
DeleteI feel that communication and education go hand in hand. I see communication as one of the most important skills a person can have. An individual can be a genius and know how everything works but if they can not communicate this, then essentially their knowledge is of no good to anyone but themselves. I have a great respect for anyone going into the education field. I think it is very smart of you to combine communication and education. I have had teachers in the past who have been unable to effectively communicate what they were trying to teach. Finally world studies is something I believe everyone should be more involved in. Understanding others will allow for there to be a greater chance of peace if we can understand why groups of people think the way they do.
Rachel,
DeleteI agree with Cory when he says that education and communication go hand in hand. I think that communication is really something everyone should study in at least a little bit. Communication is very essential in everyday life. I'm not too big of a world studies fan, but I think your areas are a great combination. What subject do you eventually plan on teaching?
To all, I think this mentoring project was a real eye-opener and helped focus myself as an IDS student. I appreciate the thought provoking questions and the critical feedback.
ReplyDeleteEach week the forum led me through a very introspective process of examining myself in the future with an IDS degree, but the most helpful takeaway lessons include our blog on the modern job search, professional networking, and just being able to explain my story and why I chose IDS. There is no doubt that the job search after graduation today is tough, what we talked about from resumes to follow-ups after an interview, having those keys will lead to more success in landing a dream job or graduate program. I learned that having a professional network is vital and I really need to work on creating a stronger network of references to my work. Finally, just being able to talk amongst other students as to why I am here, studying IDS, allowed me the chance to really think about what it means to be an interdisciplinarian, a critical thinker.
My areas of study are Behavioral/Social Sciences, Life/Biomedical Sciences, and a minor in Business. Central to all of the disciplines within theses areas, taken singularly, is the human. Behavioral and social scientists seek to answer questions about human behavior. Life and biomedical sciences focus in on human physiology and the chemical basis of human life. Business is a measure of transactions in humanity. Each area taken separately sheds light on the human, but with interdisciplinary knowledge and integration of the areas' disciplinary research, the complex question such as "What does it mean to be alive" can be answered.
I also found it helpful to be with other students who were in the same major. Since IDS gives us a ton of options to pursue it is sometimes "lonely" when I am the only student in my classes that is pursuing that degree. Although all the IDS students have different areas they are pursuing it was and is nice to have some common understanding of what the degree is really about.
DeleteAndy,
DeleteIt seems like your areas are able to build on each other rather effectively. Learning more about the human species is beneficial no matter what field you go into. It will make you a stronger individual when interacting with others.
The main take aways I got from this were in regards to the interviews. I realize now that I am fairly confident when it comes to them so I need to do everything I can to make sure I get one. In order to do this I learned a lot from the exercise about the resume, what information should be included and what should not be. Finally the last take away I have is the sending of a thank you letter for being able to partake in an interview.
ReplyDeleteMy three areas are Aerospace technologies, Criminal Justice and Digital Media. These do not seem to go together but with my desire to join the military they come together quite nicely. I learned a lot from CJ in regards to how individuals think and what motivates them to do violent acts. Digital Media showed me how it is possible to integrate numerous systems and finally aerospace technologies was pertinent information directly related to what I want to do.
Hi Cory,
DeleteI think that some people will combine many different subjects that might not seem to go well together, but if you're able to apply them to whatever you decide in to do (which is obviously the military) then you should be fine. I think that you should be able to learn about something that interests you outside of your career, just so you're not completely consumed. You should always have something fun to take a break from all the career stuff.
I think your three areas work nicely for your goals. I especially think Criminal Justice is essential. I think it is good to know the mind of those you are up against, to understand them and know what molded them.
DeleteHi C,
DeleteI do agree that Aerospace and Criminal Justice go well with joining the military. It may seem odd to have digital media thrown in the mix but my areas are odd as well. I majored in Dance, Business and Spanish. I could decide to run my own dance studio which would combine my two areas but as far as Spanish goes, maybe I could market my business in that language. Who knows? Its just another way for me to incorporate all of them.
My favorite part of this project was learning about how to explain the interdisciplinary degree to different people. I also think that all the information about resumes has made me much more prepared for my next job applications. I didnt know that you were supposed to send a thank you letter after an interview, so I'm definitely glad that information was given to us.
ReplyDeleteMy three areas are behavorial/social sciences, communication, and hospitality. I think that these three areas are related because the psychology aspect allows me to understand how people function and be able to communicate with them efficiently. I think this will be helpful; when dealing with guests in the hospitality industry. I'm very happy with the three areas I chose for my major. I think they will very useful when it comes to my future. :)
I agree with you Rachel because at first I didnt know how to explain my degree. Until I read other outlook on there degree..
DeleteThose were my favorite parts of this project. Until now I never knew to send a thank you note. I thought once I'm done with the interview that was it. I think almost every ids major has trouble explaining their degree.
DeleteI think this project was the most liked out of all as I am reading the different post most of us said the same thing this was the most beneficial I believe we all learned something that we can use in our professional lives
DeleteIt is so great to see that so many of us listed "explaining interdisciplinary studies" as one of the most beneficial exercises. I know that certainly helped me, and will further help me when in a job interview and need to know how to best explain my work here at UCF.
DeleteYour areas of study are definitely going to help you in what ever direction you choose! When you integrate the work of those three disciplines, the world is yours to take by storm!
Best of luck.
You know, you all seem to have the same benefit. I'm glad! :) Explaining interdisciplinary can be challenging and that's why we thought it would be great for you all to start practicing now. I found when I was in cornerstone I even incorporated answers from my classmates to help me respond better when applying to the work force. So if you think one of your classmates has a "dead-on" definition of IDS don't be afraid to ask for help or go back to the drawing board and revise your response. Learn from each other.
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ReplyDeleteMy favorite part of this project was learning how to explain my Interdisplinary degree to different people. At first I really didnt understand how to explain my degree. But reading others response gave me a lot of knowledge. Now I can explain my degree to someone. I also enjoyed the resume post because I didnt know that you need more than one resume in the future pretaining different jobs, I learned a lot about resumes.
DeleteMy three are are Criminal justice, EDUCATION and Sociology. I Choose these becuase at first my major was Elementary Education. I figure if Ihave many areas in a degree that I can experinece either education or something dealing with Criminal Justice field becuause Im really undecided what I want to do, so I figure as long as I have different areas in a degree that I have time to see what I want to do in life. I guess I figure it out before graduation..
Yes, because each job is not offering the same thing so sometimes you will have to adjust a couple of things on your draft resume before you give it to the employer
DeleteThe most beneficial assignment for me was the explaination of an interdisciplinary degree. Since I have become an interdisciplinary major it has been so hard for me to explain my major to people but since the last assignment I feel more confident when doing so. The last take away I got from this mentoring project is writing a thank you note after an interview. That is something I have never done but I will start doing because it can be very beneficial for me in the long run.
ReplyDeleteMy 3 areas are life/biomedical science, physical science, and health science. I think these three areas are related because science aspect helps me to understand the human body and how it functions. I am seeking a job in the medical field and all of these different sciences will be useful to me in the long run.
I agree with you Jakara becsuse Interdisplinary was at first hard to explain
DeleteI agree with you jakara IDS was really hard for me to explain but now that I understand more I can explain it to someone else now.
DeleteThe most beneficial assignment for me was explaining Interdisciplinary and why we chose this degree. Since I chose this degree I have been asked why did I chose this degree and I could never explain why I chose this degree but now with the help of my classmates and this project I can explain it clearly now with out confusing people and myself.
ReplyDeletemy three area are health sciences,public affairs and humanities these area will help me to become the best health care Administrator and I can take something from each area and apply it to my job that requires critical thinking.
vinicia
I agree! Our first blogging assignment, explaining our interdisciplinary degree, was very beneficial. I think it definitely helped us all gather our thoughts about our work here at UCF and helped us better and with more efficiency explain the program we have chosen to study.
DeleteBy the time you graduate, the IDS program you have chosen will definitely help you think critically about the problems you will face and sit amongst the best health care professionals.