Capstone Reflection

 It is not an exaggeration to say the Bachelor of Science in Integrated Professional Studies (BIPS) program has been life changing. When I decided to go back to school, I knew I would not be motivated to complete the course work if I did not feel as though I could apply the knowledge I was gaining to a career. The BIPS program was exactly what I was looking for and what I needed. I remember reading the BIPS website and being intrigued by the concept of the “T-shaped professional”. According to the website, the T-shape refers to both breadth and depth – meaning it is important to have a deep understanding of a topic and to have a wide range of skills to both view and implement that knowledge. In the BIPS program, I deeply appreciate that the importance of respecting different points of views is emphasized throughout the program. Not only is this a generally positive way to approach life but incorporating various views points improves any task.

According the BIPS website, the core courses are meant to teach critical thinking, data analysis, empathy in problem solving, intercultural collaboration, adaptation in changing environments, and leadership skills. This has been the case in my experience. In Design Thinking we had the opportunity to apply inventive and inspired problem solving techniques to real life challenges. When applying the principles of design thinking one must carefully research and consider “what is” and then carefully consider “what could be”. In that course, we watched a TEDx Talk entitled, “Transforming Healthcare for Children and Their Families”. This is a story I will never forget and am sure I will consider in the future when I am approaching new challenges. In this story, Doug Dietz was tasked with building MRI machines used for scanning children. Doug Dietz started out as an engineer building a machine for a customer. He didn’t initially give as much thought to the patients using the machines as he could have. When he went to see the machine in action and saw how scared children were of getting scans, that is when empathy began to guide the design process. He had to see the machines from the children’s perspective in order to design a machine that would provide the best experience for them. In the end, empathy was a guiding force for this design thinking process.

In Integrative Thinking, we were taught to create evidence-based solutions to real world challenges. We learned a four-step process to creating that solution which included, defining a problem, identifying opposing solutions, carefully considering the solutions through models, and defining the model. In my opinion, the most important part of the process is considering opposing solutions. This step was initially counter intuitive because I did not see the value in looking for extreme views at first. However, I quickly learned that there was truth in both viewpoints and the best solutions come from being open to the truth and building on it rather than discarding it. Additionally, we learned to consider how the potential solutions may impact each stakeholder. This process also helps to create the best solution.

In Contemporary Media Literacies, we learned to carefully consider the definition of literacy and how it changes as cultures evolves. We learned to view literacy is a dynamic, ever- expanding, and more broad than simply an ability to read to and write. Literacy includes linguistic, visual, aural, gestural, and spatial literacies. Additionally, we learned how the various literacies can interact to create a multimodal genre such as a web page -which may include spatial, written linguistics, and visual literacies. One of the key take-aways from their course is the importance of understanding linguistics as an equity issue. As the definition of literacy grows, so does the definition of illiterate as do the consequences of being illiterate in society. For example, in today’s society being digitally literate is more important than ever. If a person is illiterate in digital literacies – this could mean difficulty finding a job and communicating with loved ones, doctors, teachers, and your bank. In this course, I learned the importance of being multi-literate and for advocating for those with less access to literacy education. A more educated society benefits all.

When I began the BIPS program, I did not have a clear idea of how I wanted to use the degree. The BIPS courses I have already listed and others including Self-Awareness and Applied Project Management, have helped me narrow down what I what like to do after graduating. Self-Awareness was similar to life coaching in that I was able to consider my personal values, individual strengths, and what my ideal life and career would look like. In Applied Project Management, we were able practice our collaborative skills by working in a small group throughout the course to manage a project. We learned that collaboration takes certain interpersonal skills and planning ahead. While project management is about being as detailed on the front as possible in order to make the project run as smoothly as possible. I will be attended business school at UNCG and plan to manage artists as a career. The lessons in leadership, group work, and projects have helped me create a general model for what I would like my future career to look like and the type of leader and collaborator I would like to be.

My confidence has grown as a leader and collaborator throughout the BIPS program due to the many opportunities to work with other in the courses. I have gained website building skills, honed my research skills, and expanded my knowledge of the current professional landscape. Additionally, I am more confident in my ability to plan and execute a project, tackle challenges, and work in a fast-paced, global environment. I trust my ability to complete whatever I set my mind to, and I know how to find help when I need it. I would like to add that the professors have been fantastic. They have been dedicated to making sure we understand the material, work well with others, and empathize with our communities both and near and far. They have been encouraging and provide individual attention. Lastly, I would highly recommend the BIPS program to anyone looking to improve their professional skills and gain a deeper understanding of the global business community.

References

Integrated Professional Studies. BS in Integrated Professional Studies. (n.d.). Retrieved November 12, 2022, from https://bips.uncg.edu/