How Interdisciplinary Studies Offers a Solid Foundation for About Every Career

March 12, 2022

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Interdisciplinary studies comprise a fairly popular category in academy education. However, they're often somewhat misunderstood also. Over fourth dimension, "interdisciplianary studies" has become a characterization that some use almost disparagingly to refer to subjects that don't atomic number 82 to career paths in fields like math, scientific discipline, or applied science, where direct career paths are often apparent early on.

To that point, a perception has actually developed over the years that liberal arts or interdisciplinary studies majors are underemployed. This is largely based on a pure assumption that these fields of written report simply don't lead to lucrative careers; where another student might become a doctor or investment banker, a liberal studies major might become a instructor or struggling announcer, and then on. The reality though is that this field is more significant and more valuable than it's sometimes given credit for. The data shows that it is non interdisciplinary studies majors who are virtually underemployed — and not by a wide margin. And when you look a little bit closer, it becomes articulate that interdisciplinary studies can offer a solid foundation for a wide range of interesting career opportunities.

To understand how, you get-go have to consider what exactly a caste of this nature entails. Putting it just, pursuing a interdisciplinary studies degree can involve subjects such as philosophy, literature, history, or even religion and natural sciences. Simply amid these subjects, it likewise means personalizing your approach to focus on what interests yous, and what fits your career aspirations. The idea is in part that through these studies, you will pick up soft skills such every bit: critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and trouble-solving skills that can truly make you an nugget in just about any line of work. These are skills that are e'er in demand, and if you can back them upwards with a degree and hard piece of work, you may be surprised at the opportunities that come your way.

More specifically, opportunities stemming from an online liberal studies degree or a traditional one can include work in finance, Information technology, journalism, didactics, regime, management, and public service, to name a handful of fields. Specific careers can range from "communications manager" (for virtually whatever sort of company or entity), to "public relations director," to "policy research and development specialist," and so on. Some interdisciplinary studies students will even go on to get lawyers, or found their own companies. As you can see, the possibilities are wide-ranging. The simplest mode to look at information technology is that the range of subjects involved in liberal or interdisciplinary studies, and the wide utility of the related skills lead to myriad of opportunities across industries.

So, why the discrepancy? Why do some assume the interdisciplinary studies path doesn't lead to strong careers when the data and specifics say otherwise? It may ultimately come down to the difference betwixt starting salaries and long-term careers. An commodity exploring the value of a liberal arts degree made the interesting observation that "first-job salaries tend to be lower" for liberal arts graduates than for, say, people with vocational degrees. However, the same piece went on to assert that "over fourth dimension, liberal arts graduates' earnings frequently surge." This can be chalked upward to numerous factors, including the fact that some pursue advanced degrees. Just to some extent information technology speaks to value. Because of the actual skills taught to liberal arts students, these graduates are often able to offering value that goes beyond a degree or qualification. This ultimately leads to career (and salary) advocacy.

Considering all of the above, it'south articulate that interdisciplinary studies still makes for a strong foundation. The breadth of subjects involved and the significance of the skills students learn lead to interesting and fruitful careers beyond virtually limitless industries.

—Written by Anne Fairchild for William Peace University | peace.edu