Traits and Skills

Interdisciplinary studies is becoming more acceptable to the business world, in the sense that people don't question what it's about. Some might ask, "What are interdisciplinary studies?" It's simply a way to address a topic when the subject is too broad for a discipline to answer. All interdisciplinarians hold special traits and skills. "Traits are distinguishing qualities of a person, whereas skills are abilities to use one's knowledge effectively and readily in performing a task." (Repko, 2005) The traits and skills that I have are, willingness to work with others, appreciation of diversity, the ability to think creatively and intuitively, and the ability to recognize the limits of what is knowable.

Traits

• Willingness to work with others: "Interdisciplinarity is often a collaborative process. One person, no matter how thoroughly trained, will never have a complete understanding of any given problem or issue." (Repko, 2005) I believe that this is a trait of mine because I think that working with others to share ideas makes us stronger in the learning process. There is not one person who knows everything about something, but together you can get a good understanding of what that something is.

• Appreciation of diversity: "This mean, simply, having respect for people holding different views, devoted to different faith traditions, and coming from different racial backgrounds." (Repko, 2005) Even though I am a Christian, and I am of a Caucasian dissent, doesn't mean that my religion or my ethnicity is the only way to live. The world is made of beautiful people, and color doesn't make a difference in any situation. I believe that in some situations, when it comes to faith traditions for example, if I don't agree with something I just agree to disagree, because we're all different and no one can change that. There is simply no use in arguing or questioning it.
  

Skills

• The ability to think creatively and intuitively. "No interdisciplinarian is complete without the ability to imagine." (Repko, 2005) This is a skill of mine as I am always thinking of ways to improve not only my everyday life, but different avenues in regards to my current job. I constantly come up with new Way to manage my workload, while trying new ways of dealing with my agents so that when I get off the phone with them they are happy, and I continue to get good reviews. There is never one job that can't be improved. In the profession that I'm in right now, customer service is key and finding new ways to improve that customer service will never be out o the question.

• Ability to recognize the limits of what is knowable. "Practitioners of interdisciplinary studies bring to their craft a humility that comes from knowing what they do not know." (Repko, 2005) This is a skill of mine as I know for a fact that I don't ever know everything about a particular thing or subject. I really don't think anyone does. I continually find ways to improve what I know, but i don't ever think to myself that I know all about that certain something.

Repko, A. (2005). Interdisciplinary Practice A Student Guide to Research and Writing. Boston: Person Custom Publishing.






DISCLAIMER: This blog is an assignment for an Interdisciplinary Studies course at National University. It is not a real blog.