How does this look on a resume? MS Interdisciplinary Studies...

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by philosophicalme, Dec 6, 2005.

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  1. philosophicalme

    philosophicalme New Member

    Be brutally honest...

    B.S. Psychology Excelsior College, NY
    M.S. Interdisciplinary Studies in Human Resource Management Mountain State University, WVA


    I think I finally found the Master's program that is as off-the-wall and independent as myself. The Mountain State MS in Interdisciplinary Studies is a completely self-designed major. It includes a Methodology course worth 3 credits (here you write your degree proposal), Content area worth 25 credits (which may include MSU courses, self-study modules, projects, internships, directed study), and a final project/ thesis worth 6 credits. It sounds both fun and challenging to design ones' own major :) Now I know this program isn't as marketable as a MBA in HRM or a MS in HRM, but I think this program would fit my personality a bit better...

    Any opinions???

    www.mountainstate.edu
     
  2. Jack Tracey

    Jack Tracey New Member

    Pardon my ignorance of such matters but is the "interdisciplinary" part, Human Resources + Management?
    Jack
     
  3. DougG

    DougG New Member

    Hope this isn’t too brutally direct. How it will look on the resume will depend on a bunch of factors, but above all what kind of job/career you’re angling for. I’ll just look at one obvious scenario. If you’re aiming for a conventional HR job, I would say it will probably play badly. You will very possibly be perceived as lacking both the tactical HR expertise you’d have via the MS and the strategic business savvy you’d have via the MBA. Even if you take mostly HR content within the program, change “perceived as” to “suspected of” and I reach the same conclusion: “Danger, Will Robinson!” Respectfully, consider demoting the variable of personality fit if this degree’s primary purpose is to ease you into or advance you within the HR realm.
     
  4. uncle janko

    uncle janko member

    The M.S. in Leadership looks interesting, too. More marketable? I don't know.
     
  5. Robert_555

    Robert_555 New Member

    IMO, I think you should list it on you resume as the following:

    M.S.: Human Resources Management
    Mountain State University.

    Drop the Interdisciplinary Studies portion when listing your degree. I have spoken with the Interdisciplinary Studies graduate
    program advisor (Christine Bishop), she has told a degree earned through this program will list as an interdisciplinary studies degree on your diploma and transcript along with your concentration. The concentration is the important thing to list on your resume not the Interdisciplinary Studies part. As with the marketability of this degree, I see nothing wrong with it, however, I feel you should have some sort of HR experience in order to improve your chances of getting a position in this field. If not, you can design an internship within the program, get credit for it for your degree, and complete the internship via a local business somehow. Last of all, it is the person that makes the
    degree, not the other way around. If this is what you want to
    do, then do it! Dont let anyone run your dreams down! Besides it can be a pain the ass to locate a program you want. I figure why not design one? This is what I what have thought about for a concentration. I have submitted my application, I will take it from there. GOOD LUCK TO YOU!!!!
     
  6. JLV

    JLV Active Member

    I am certainly not the right person to give an opinion, because I live abroad, and I am not very well informed of the current job market of the US, but I think both degrees are consistent with each other, and if that´s what you feel suits you better, then you shouldn’t worry about it, especially if those degrees are also consistent with your professional experience, which is what counts at the end of the day. Perhaps, I would also drop the interdisciplinary part but only to avoid questioning and doubting from an overzealous or unexperienced or conventional recruiter. I think there are a lot of people holding MBA degrees, and they don´t make a difference anymore.


    Regards
     
  7. philosophicalme

    philosophicalme New Member

    Thanks Doug and everyone else. I plan to design an Internship into my program to gain the technical expertise. I also plan to take 2 courses from NorthCentral University, take part in two extended directed studies and projects, and take a Business Research course at the start of it all. I will also design a final project/ thesis related to the HR field, possibly integrating it with Organizational Behavior/ Psychology or Organizational Development. (that answers your question Jack)

    Thanks for the tip to drop the "Interdisciplinary" part. I agree the resume would look stronger without it.

    Robert- Are you also enrolling in the Mountain State University MS/MA degree? What has been your experience so far with the administration of the school? Do they answer questions promptly?


    Thanks all...Great responses

    Rhonda
     
  8. PatsFan

    PatsFan New Member

    I really like what kind of program you've put together for yourself. When interviewers ask you about your degree you'll have some really good things to say. I agree with Robert about dropping the "Interdisciplinary Studies" phraseology from the resume. Go for it! The program sounds perfect for you.

    Tom
     
  9. jimnagrom

    jimnagrom New Member

    Froma hiring standdpoint, a Master's degree is supposed to have focus - more so than aBS/BA and a PhD even more so.

    Rich Douglas - with a "self-designed PhD" - has not been successful in moving into FT academia.

    If this is for your resume - than drop the "I gotta be me" - if not, then it doesn't matter what it is.
     
  10. Jack Tracey

    Jack Tracey New Member

    Re: Re: How does this look on a resume? MS Interdisciplinary Studies...

    This is not only out of line, it is irelevant. Rich is gainfully employed thanks, in no small measure, to his doctoral degree. Don't take another step in this direction.
    Jack
     
  11. philosophicalme

    philosophicalme New Member

    Re: Re: Re: Re: How does this look on a resume? MS Interdisciplinary Studies...

    An independent study degree is not necessarily unfocused. For instance, my degree plan covers all major aspects of Human Resource Management, includes a thesis, online courses from accredited colleges, directed projects and an internship- all related to Human Resources Management. Just because a master's degree program is self-designed, does not mean a quality education cannot be had. I personally see this as an opportunity and not necessarily a deterent to future employment...

    Below is the outline of my proposed studies:

    GIDS Methodology (3) (MSU)
    *GIDS 549 Format and Focus in Graduate Writing (3) (MSU)
    HRM Self-Directed Studies (8) (Studies in HRM compensation, benefits, selection and recruitment and outsourcing, labor relations and performance management)
    *HRM 5005: Quality Concepts in Human Resources Management (3) NCU
    *HRM 5008: Legal Issues in Human Resources Management (3) NCU
    HRM Self-Directed Studies (4) (Studies in change management, org behavior, org development and leadership in HRM)
    HRM Internship and write up on experience/ applied project (4)
    Capstone project/ thesis (8)


    Rhonda
     
  12. Jack Tracey

    Jack Tracey New Member

    Re: Re: Re: Re: How does this look on a resume? MS Interdisciplinary Studies...

    No. You had your warning. You ignored it. I have no problem in making decisions.
    Jack
     
  13. JLV

    JLV Active Member

    I don´t have the datum, but I would say that most PhD holders don´t make it to FT academia. Nevertheless, Rhonda didn´t seem to have said her intention was to gain employment as a teacher, did she? So what´s the point?
     
  14. DougG

    DougG New Member

    Hey Rhonda,

    My strategic misgivings to one side, sounds like you've crafted a rigorous program with lots of opportunity for initiative and integration. Cheers.
     
  15. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    Re: Re: How does this look on a resume? MS Interdisciplinary Studies...

    I've essentially bowed out of the discussions due to a very packed schedule. (Work, teaching, going through professional certification, going back to graduate school, taking care of the family, and--most recently--planning a book I've been asked to write.) But I thought I'd respond to this, since it echoes a familiar tone held elsewhere.

    I am not, nor have I ever, sought a full-time faculty position at a traditional university. I have held a campus chair's position with UoP, and I've also turned down dean's positions at two other universities, both of which are commonly discussed on these threads.

    "jimnagrom" is not only severely lacking typing skills in his post, his premise is not true and he really has no business talking about me in that fashion. Kudos to Jack for dealing with it.

    Now, back to my Levicoffian slumber....:cool:
     
  16. jimnagrom

    jimnagrom New Member

    Re: Re: Re: How does this look on a resume? MS Interdisciplinary Studies...

    Sorry, I thought I saw - yes I DID see - a comment from you made a few years back where YOU said you approached Capella and was told "don't call us - we'll call you" or words to that effect. And since then you've been a bit notorious (not my bag but it's not illegal, immoral, or even smokable) for your non-RA teaching gig. As to your other claims - bottom line - you don't have them and you HAVE tried to become a FT academic in the past - whch you neaqtly ignored.

    Bottom line - an unfocused advanced degree is not necessarily a positive. YMMV. Douglas is obviously happy with his - so how about this:

    "Most academic positions specificy a field(s). Haven't seen many that include "interdisciplinary".

    Back to Douglas: I said "academia" - you changed it to "faculty" - which is either sloppy or dishonest - you pick.

    And my thanks to you and Tracey for completely missing the point of the post. In education, the point to provide info to hlp someone - something neither you nor Jack has done much of in this post.
     
  17. jimnagrom

    jimnagrom New Member

    Re: Re: Re: How does this look on a resume? MS Interdisciplinary Studies...

    I can sympathize with much of the above. You have a PhD. Why are you going back to Grad school? ;)
     
  18. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    Re: Re: Re: Re: How does this look on a resume? MS Interdisciplinary Studies...

    You know, I'd give you the last word if it was even remotely accurate.

    Capella and I discussed the possibility of me joining them. But that was before the Ph.D., so your comment is both wrong and irrelevant.

    My teaching at VIU occured before the Ph.D. It had nothing to do with my decision, nor theirs. That, too, is irrelevant.

    It is reasonable to equate "academia" with "faculty." It was neither sloppy nor dishonest. You're making hay about nothing because nothing is all you have.

    As for adding to this thread, you're the one who hijacked it by your ham-handed use of me as an example. Dishonest, or merely sloppy?

    I have never, ever, "tried to become a FT academic," other than my discussions with Capella, my successful gig at UoP, and the two positions with other DL schools I turned down. At no time have I tried to enter "academia" as it is traditionally defined.

    I don't know what you mean by "other claims," but your implication is that I'm being untruthful. But it is you that is being sloppy with details about my life and career, not the other way around. And it is you that started this, so stop complaining when it rains all over your ill-conceived post.
     
  19. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    Re: Re: Re: Re: How does this look on a resume? MS Interdisciplinary Studies...

    I can't imagine why this concerns you.
     
  20. Guest

    Guest Guest

    Re: Re: Re: How does this look on a resume? MS Interdisciplinary Studies...

    Are you driving a big rig now, Rich, or...............:confused:
     

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