Interdisciplinary Studies Majors: What Jobs Will I Qualify For?

<p>An interdisciplinary studies program integrates various academic fields into a flexible degree that students can tailor to their interests and career goals. A liberal arts-based curriculum focuses on humanities and social science courses such as literature, foreign languages, communications, history, psychology, legal studies, and sociology. Meanwhile, a science-based program prioritizes STEM courses like chemistry, biology, environmental science, engineering, physics, mathematics, and computer science. </p> <h2 id="section---InterdisciplinaryStudiesJobs">Interdisciplinary Studies Jobs</h2> <p>The broad range of available majors and specializations in interdisciplinary studies allows graduates to pursue professional opportunities in a variety of industries, from media and social services to education and science. An interdisciplinary studies career can mean working as a writer, graphic artist, educator, or scientist, depending on one's academic concentration. </p> <h3 id="section---Chemist">Chemist</h3> <p><a href="https://learn.org/articles/Chemist_How_to_Become_a_Chemist_in_5_Steps.html">Chemists</a> are involved in scientific research projects to create new products, enhance existing ones, and ensure the quality and safety of manufactured goods. The work of chemists has resulted in the discovery of new drugs, food flavors, plastics, agrochemicals, and many other products. They usually work in laboratories, preparing solutions and compounds, analyzing the composition of substances, and running tests on materials. Chemists can specialize in a specific sub-discipline such as analytical chemistry, physical chemistry, organic or inorganic chemistry, and forensic chemistry. </p> <h3 id="section---Sociologist">Sociologist</h3> <p>Sociologists employ quantitative and qualitative research methods to analyze human behavior and study the interaction and influences among social groups. They design and implement research projects, conduct data gathering, and present research findings and recommendations that can be used in developing public policy. Sociologists may focus on particular social topics such as economic inequality, criminology, education, health and population, race and ethnicity, and gender and sexuality. </p> <h3 id="section---GraphicDesigner">Graphic Designer</h3> <p>Graphic designers are responsible for creating visual elements used in product packaging, advertising, marketing, public relations, publishing, and other fields. They can create designs by hand but often make use of photo editing and layout software. They decide how images and text are presented to form a cohesive look that adheres to the needs and preferences of their clients. A lot of graphic designers are self-employed while others work in specialized design firms, advertising agencies, and PR companies. </p> <h3 id="section---GrantWriter">Grant Writer</h3> <p><a href="https://learn.org/articles/How_Do_I_Become_a_Nonprofit_Grant_Writer.html">Grant writers</a> usually work in nonprofit or charitable organizations, crafting proposals and applications that help these organizations receive financial support. They conduct research on available grants and select which ones fit the goals and objectives of the nonprofit that needs funding. They may also document how the grant money was used and its impact on the organization and the community. </p> <h3 id="section---Teacher">Teacher</h3> <p>Teachers work to educate students on academic lessons and skills that they can use in pursuing higher education and joining the workforce. A teacher's duties usually consist of preparing lesson plans, evaluating students' strengths and weaknesses, implementing classroom policies, and managing students outside of the classroom. They often specialize in one academic area such as science, math, history, English, music, or physical education. </p> <h2 id="section---CareerOutlookForInterdisciplinaryGraduates">Career Outlook for Interdisciplinary Graduates</h2> <p>Interdisciplinary studies salary and career prospects can vary depending on one's expertise and industry. Employees in life, physical, and social science occupations have a median annual wage of $69,760 as of May 2020 and can expect job growth of 8 percent from 2018 to 2028. Specializations in environmental management, biomedical research, and psychology will see an increased demand. </p> <p>Education, training, and library occupations are projected to grow 10 percent over the same ten-year period, amounting to 920,500 new jobs. There will be a greater need for teachers at the preschool, elementary, and secondary levels. Media and communication jobs are expected to rise by 14 percent while employment in arts and design is projected to grow 4 percent. Demand for animation and visual effects skills in movies, television, and video games, as well as expertise in web design, will most likely increase. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td><b>Occupations</b></td><td>Life, Physical, and Social Science</td><td>Arts and Design</td><td>Media and Communication</td><td>Education, Training, and Library</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Projected Job Growth (2020-2030)*</b></td><td>8%</td><td>4%</td><td>14%</td><td>10%</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Median Annual Salary (May 2020)*</b></td><td>$69,760 </td><td>$49,600 </td><td>$61,310 </td><td>$52,380</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i></p>