Having a specialization no longer means focusing only on one area of knowledge in order to be a professional. For students in a technical field, the knowledge of chemistry, sociology, history, or English is can only be an advantage, which is where interdisciplinary courses come into play. In its essence, an interdisciplinary study program at a higher education facility represents a track of courses that have been derived from two or more academic disciplines, thus taking the knowledge and working methods of one discipline and applying them to another (Chen et al. 920). Therefore, interdisciplinary studies are expected to provide learners with a more profound learning experience as well as a broader perspective on the subject matter. At the Chattahoochee Technical College, enrollment in interdisciplinary studies courses allows for the customization of the study program depending on either the academic or professional goals of students. Therefore, the range of the knowledge and skills required for continued education or professional advancement can significantly influence the choice of whether students at a college will enroll in an interdisciplinary program.
Among the large range of advantages offered by an interdisciplinary studies course, choosing the program she is expected to provide students a chance to customize their field of learning depending on one’s interests and previously acquired knowledge. When selecting an interdisciplinary degree, learners do not have to comply with the college program that features mandatory courses that should be taken (“What Is an Interdisciplinary Studied Degree?”). As a result, students struggle with having to study courses that do not relate to their educational plans. However, an interdisciplinary field of study, or a general studies major, is perfect for students who have a set number of subjects on which they want to focus, which is why customization is essential. Working on customizing one’s own degree can be both challenging and exciting; however, by searching for an area of interest, students are expected to find purpose in what they are doing at an educational facility. The option of choosing and adjusting for an educational program motivates students to learn more about each subject, assess its impact and contribution, as well as decide as to whether they should be integrated into their learning. Therefore, customization is among the primary reasons why students may choose to enroll in an interdisciplinary studies course at Chattahoochee Technical College.
While choosing an interdisciplinary study program at the Chattahoochee Technical College leads to customization opportunities for students, it is vital to consider the need for selecting concentrations. Even though an interdisciplinary program differs from a traditional degree in its approach, students are still expected to select a focus or core fields that they will study. This means that students will opt for subjects about which they are the most passionate in order to avoid changing a program once it has already been studied. Beyond customization, many students choose an interdisciplinary program because it encourages them to choose a core area of specialization that can be enhanced with the addition of other subjects. For example, an English interdisciplinary course is likely to focus on language, adding a comprehensive knowledge of literature, cultural studies, linguistics, and history. Within an English course, there can be different areas of focus, such as Applied Linguistics, American or British Literature and Cultural Sciences, Cognitive Linguistics, Sociolinguistics, Postcolonial Literature and Culture Studies, Writing, as well as many more. Therefore, an interdisciplinary study program enables students to choose the focus of a course on top of which other areas can be built.
Beyond selecting a focus on a subject area with the help of an interdisciplinary course, students choose such a program at the Chattahoochee Technical College because of the wide range of job opportunities they can pursue. A degree in Interdisciplinary Studies can align with a multitude of real-life careers and occupations. For example, students that have attained an Interdisciplinary degree can work in education as teachers in preschool and kindergarten settings as well as elementary, middle, and secondary schools. In addition, it is possible to pursue a career in education in the field of administration due to the high expectations associated with knowledge. In addition, because interdisciplinary degree programs offer high levels of flexibility and the customization that fits particular goals and opportunities, they serve students who want to be prepared for major academic or career changes. When adjusting the choices of subjects included in an interdisciplinary program, students usually choose two or more areas (Jacob 1). For instance, they can include business and psychology as the main areas of study, which results in the capacity of students to pursue a career in one or even all areas. The title of an entrepreneur is especially relevant for an interdisciplinary course because starting one’s own business requires knowledge in multiple subject areas. Therefore, another reason why many students decide to enroll in interdisciplinary studies courses at Chattahoochee Technical College is associated with extensive job opportunities.
An interdisciplinary course at a college offers excellent opportunities for self-development and self-discovery of students as both individuals and future professionals. Such a type of study allows students to learn with the help of making meaningful connections between various ideas and concepts across a broad range of disciplinary barriers (Darling-Hammond et al. 99). By learning this way, students can make sense of the knowledge that they have gained and reflect on themselves as people as to whether the learning experience was meaningful. Through discovering the benefits of the subjects that have been chosen as areas of focus, students can build up themselves as individuals who have selected their own interdisciplinary pathways. Studying topics thematically is something that can reveal both strengths and weaknesses in people, which ultimately results in meaningful learning. Besides, the skills acquired during interdisciplinary learning include critical thinking, effective communication, and analysis skills, which are expected to develop at the further stages of life. Therefore, the final reason why students at Chattahoochee Technical College is linked with the opportunity for self-development in the area of critical skills that will be useful throughout their entire life.
To conclude, choosing an interdisciplinary studies course at Chattahoochee Technical College leads to four important outcomes for students. First, customization of their field of learning ensures that the learning process relates to future educational plans. Second, selecting concentrations or main fields of study enables students to place emphasis on an area that is the most beneficial to them. Third, an interdisciplinary degree is expected to offer students a broad range of job positions as well as prepare them for a possible career change. Finally, an interdisciplinary course encourages various self-development opportunities that show students their personal strengths and weaknesses.
Works Cited
Chen, Yawei, et al. “Interdisciplinary and Experiential Learning in Urban Development Management Education.” International Journal of Technology and Design Education, vol. 30, 2020, pp. 919-936.
Darling-Hammond, Linda, et al. “Implications for Educational Practice of the Science of Learning and Development.” Applied Developmental Science, vol. 24, no. 2, 2020, pp. 97-140.
Jacob, James. “Interdisciplinary Trends in Higher Education.” Palgrave Communication, vol. 1, 2014, pp. 1-13.
What Is an Interdisciplinary Studied Degree.” Best Value Schools, 2020, Web.