Not so long ago, job stability was considered an essential pillar of the American Dream. Those days have passed; Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data indicate that baby boomers held 12.4 jobs between 18 and 54. One in five millennials changed jobs last year, and nearly half actively seek new jobs.
What happened? Rapid advances in technology caused disruption and accelerated change. Increased international competition further heightened job instability. As a result, today’s workers have become more open to job mobility. They are apt to seek opportunities for higher wages and greater job satisfaction, even if that requires changing employers and industries. Employers are learning to shift employee job functions and responsibilities to accommodate changes and improve retention.
The modern job market requires workers with broad skill sets: employers seek nimble job candidates who can adapt to new challenges. Earning a degree that stresses versatility—such as an interdisciplinary Bachelor of Arts—can prepare you for the modern work world. Interdisciplinary degrees follow curricula focusing on more than one academic discipline, typically encompassing broader fields such as social science or liberal arts. Interdisciplinary programs promote versatility in communication, knowledge, and skills. A background in interdisciplinary studies promotes the ability to pivot throughout career changes.
If you’ve resisted returning to school to earn your bachelor’s degree because of your other life commitments, an online degree may present the necessary opportunity. Online programs offer flexibility and convenience to accommodate students’ busy work and life schedules.
The University of Tennessee’s online Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Programs (BAIP) offers a unique program for adult learners who wish to complete their bachelor’s degree. With engaging classwork, flexible online courses, and credit conferred for previous college work to complete your degree, the BAIP may put your bachelor’s degree in closer reach than you thought possible.
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The Power of Versatility: Exploring Interdisciplinary Studies
An interdisciplinary program builds breadth of knowledge and skills. Elective coursework enables you to pursue your interests and fashion a curriculum tailored to your academic and career goals. Independent assignments promote the self-motivation and initiative valued in the modern workplace, while live lectures and online study groups enhance teamwork, cooperation, and networking opportunities.
The Skills Advantage of an Interdisciplinary Degree
Interdisciplinary programs are designed to build varied skill sets. They focus on finding the intersections between far-reaching topics while training you to make those connections yourself, developing the soft skills employers value. Let’s look at some of the soft skills the UT BAIP nurtures.
Thinking Critically
Critical thinking involves going beyond the surface level to analyze problems more thoroughly. It requires putting bias or tradition aside to interrogate whether something still works or will continue to work. In today’s rapidly changing work environment, it’s easy to see why critical reasoning is an increasingly valued skill.
Whether problem-solving, making decisions in leadership positions, or thinking through your response to communications, critical thinking is essential. A recent McKinsey survey of human resources leaders ranked critical thinking high among the skills prospective hires lacked. Developing this aptitude can set you apart in your job search. Interdisciplinary programs enhance critical thinking through classes emphasizing examining evidence, analyzing sources for information, and constructing arguments.
Communicating Across Perspectives
Communication involves choosing words carefully, understanding rhetorical devices and strategies, and interpreting body language and tone. Effective communication also requires understanding different perspectives and approaching them respectfully and informedly.
The International Association of Project Managers identifies communication skills as critical in conflict resolution, monitoring project success, and breaking through cultural differences or barriers. Whether presenting a proposal to leadership or explaining assignments to subordinates, professionals need excellent communication skills to succeed.
Researching and Analysis
Research and analysis—data collection, ascertaining the accuracy of data, and interpreting data—are fundamental skills in most professions, especially in today’s increasingly technical and data-driven work environments. You will develop and strengthen your research and analysis skills in an interdisciplinary bachelor’s degree program. Note, however, that most require you to develop baseline skills before enrolling. The BAIP at the University of Tennessee, for example, requires incoming students to hold an associate’s degree or have 60 credit hours from an accredited institution. Academic prerequisites include a minimum of six credit hours of college-level mathematics and six to eight credit hours of science with labs.
Explore UT’s Online Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Programs
UT’s online Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Programs prepares returning undergraduates for professional life with career-ready skills and hands-on learning. Flexible scheduling and the convenience of remote learning accommodates students of all backgrounds and locations. Curricular options enable students to tailor their studies to their career goals. Online study offers numerous benefits. We explore several below.
Designed to Be Flexible
Students of all ages and backgrounds enroll in the BAIP at UT. The program accommodates varied life circumstances through flexible scheduling and convenient asynchronous online course content delivery. While you will attend live online classes, much of your coursework will be done on your own time, when it best fits your schedule. The online format also eases collaboration—no more need to agree on a meeting space when you can teleconference online.
Built Around Your Goals
Whether you hope to progress at your current workplace or to expand into a new career path, the online BAIP allows you to build a degree around your goals. The program has two concentration areas: Public Policy & Administration, perfect for students seeking government or nonprofit roles, and Cultures & Societies, which emphasizes the connections between diverse subjects such as the environment and politics.
Created for Career Growth
The online BAIP at the University of Tennessee offers two concentration options. Each—Public Policy & Administration and Cultures & Societies—can expand your career options. Public Policy & Administration builds skills valued in such careers as lobbyist, community organizer, political reporter, program administrator, and public relations specialist. A concentration in Cultures & Societies can lead to fulfilling careers in teaching, research, technical writing, and fundraising.
Federal Reserve Bank of New York data indicate that a bachelor’s degree adds over $17,000 per year in annual income versus a high-school diploma, representing a nearly 50 percent pay increase. The unemployment rate for college graduates ages 22 to 27 is 4.4 percent; the rate for all workers in that age group is 6.7 percent, nearly 50 percent higher. Statistically, you’re likely to fare better on the job market with a bachelor’s degree. Finally, your bachelor’s qualifies you to pursue a master’s degree that can further enhance your career prospects.
See the Difference an Interdisciplinary Skill Set Can Make
An interdisciplinary bachelor’s degree like the online Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Programs at UT helps students build the diverse, nimble skills valued in the modern job market. A bachelor’s degree is a hallmark of personal achievement, a stepping stone to professional mobility, and a proven income enhancer.
If you have earned an associate’s degree or have completed 60 undergraduate credit hours that meet BAIP admissions requirements, you qualify to enroll in this bachelor’s completion program. The program is 100 percent online, so you never have to come to campus. That doesn’t mean you won’t be engaged in the Volunteer community; live classes, faculty office hours, online study sessions with fellow students, and assistance from your student coach will keep you connected and supported.
You can start your application today if you’re ready to take the next step. If you have questions or need assistance with your application, contact an enrollment advisor. These admissions experts can help you navigate the application and enrollment process.