1. Running head: WHAT IS INTEGRATIVE STUDIES? 1
What Is Integrative Studies?
Cody R. Leake
INTS 2310
2/15/15
Raynie Gibbs

2. WHAT IS INTEGRATIVE STUDIES? 2
What Is Integrative Studies?
So what is Integrative Studies? To me all learning is integrative, bringing together all
experiences, whether it is from education, professionally, or socially. Integrative studies allow
me the student to combine all aspects of my life and education in order to bridge the gap between
academic leaning and social understanding. Integrative studies allow me to become a better-
rounded individual through the blending of different areas of concentration and applying them to
my professional goals and future experiences. Integrative Studies, or integrative learning can
take many forms. These forms can be from a research laboratory, internships, or even studying
abroad. I like Integrative Studies because it allows me to design a roadmap through coursework
specifically designed to meet my academic and professional desires. This also gives me the best
of both worlds since these courses pull from two or more departments in order to give me the
student an opportunity to grow. This type of teaching environment breeds promotes
collaboration, critical thinking, and knowledge retention. I feel that integrative studies allows the
student to better grasp the educational concept of truly learning and designing a way to adapt this
knowledge to their future. The most beneficial part of integrative studies is seeing all the hard
work and research coming together. There really are no limits as to how far you could take
Integrative Studies so you have to plug and play and realize what is relevant and what can be
discarded.
My education has been a roller coaster, ups and downs and one of the longest rides ever. I
originally started going to school right after high school, in the fall of 1999. I went for one
semester and decided to work full time instead. At the time, I lacked the dedication and drive it
took to be a college student. Approximately 11 years later I decided that I was committed to
returning to school. I originally set out to complete my Associates of Arts degree for Criminal

3. WHAT IS INTEGRATIVE STUDIES? 3
Justice through the University of Phoenix. I completed the degree but soon realized that this was
not the right path for me. I then discovered that Texas Tech University had a reputable online
program that would allow me to be more versatile in my studies. Since I was still on active duty
in the Marine Corps at the time, this would allow me to attend the school I always wanted and to
get an education from a reputable well-known school. The areas of concentration that I chose to
pursue were Human Resource Development, Organizational Leadership, and Communications.
In my current profession I am a staffing recruiter, (Headhunter). I have been recruiting now for
about four years and absolutely love it. My position falls into the Human Resources department
and gives me a variety of options for growth within not only the company but within the Human
Resources department. The areas of concentration that I have chosen have a direct correlation to
my current career as well as my future career path. Human Resource Development allowed me to
gain much need knowledge in this department to include; employment law, structures and
strategies, and general knowledge. The benefits of this information give me the necessary
knowledge that allows me to make the correct professional and ethical decisions in the
workplace. Without it, it is possible that I could unknowing make a decision that could cause
myself as well as the company to have to endure unnecessary litigation. My second are of
concentration in Organizational Leadership provides me with the management aspect of my
education and gives me the opportunity to couple this with me previous management experience.
The courses in this area of concentration give me the tools to understand the management aspect
of my career and teach me how to recognize different types of leadership styles in order to either
emulate or ignore. The third area of concentration is the most important to me. Communication
is the foundation of any successful team or company for that matter. In my position, it is the
backbone of my efforts ad can make or break my endeavors. This area gives me the proper tools

4. WHAT IS INTEGRATIVE STUDIES? 4
to form and understand how communication can affect the outcome of any conversation both
professionally and socially. We must understand how to not only communicate but to listen with
a purpose. Overall, I believe that all three areas of concentration are a perfect fit my current
future goals, and make a better-rounded individual. The thing I really appreciate the most about
University Studies is the ability to have three different areas that really give me the opportunity
to get the most out of my education.
The complex problem that I wish to study is transition from active duty military to
civilian life and the affects war mentality and PTSD. This study would focus on the many
stressors involved in going from the military that provides complete structure vs. the civilian life
that is less certain and provides a tough avenue for understanding amongst peers. I would
evaluate individuals that served in the military during peacetime versus individuals that serving
during wartime. Again the focus would remain purely on the transition and how different
experience may contribute to how they relate to civilian life. This complex problem is very
important me for a variety of reasons. First, I spent the last ten years on active duty in the Marine
Corps, so I have first hand experience and I am a relevant proof source. Second, I have many
finds that have found the transition to affect them in many different ways. My experiences may
not be the same for the next guy due to the fact that we are all different, and we come from a
variety of different backgrounds and demographics. This complex problem is important tome
because everyday I see my brothers and sisters in arms struggle with life outside of the military. I
do no think that we can totally fix these issues, but if I am able to make a small dent into an issue
that grows larger each day I will have comfort in knowing that I was able to help these
individuals out.

5. WHAT IS INTEGRATIVE STUDIES? 5
The connection of my areas of concentration and my future are simple. I am lucky
enough to say that I am already doing the exact career that I set out to do. The areas of
concentration that I have chosen to study give the knowledge and skill in a variety of areas that I
am able to incorporate right away. In fact as I was learning employment law last semester, I was
able to directly apply that to my current position, as I am a full life cycle recruiter. This means
that I am responsible for the entire hiring process from finding the applicant to new employee
orientation and new hire paperwork. After graduation I will continue my career as a staffing
recruiter. However, I do plan to eventually move into a supervisory role as a Talent Acquisition
Manager. This position will allow me to supervisor the individuals in my current role. When I
left the military I was in charge all day to day operations and actions of over thirty people. This
is the part of my job that I miss the most. My education through Organizational Leadership has
given me a better understanding of the corporate view within the company and helped me design
a professional strategy as to how to achieve my goals. I truly believe that this degree plan is very
important to my future goals and that I have chosen the necessary areas of concentration to in
order to achieve them. I am also very eager to become a graduate from Texas Tech University. I
will be the first person from my family to graduate from college.
Criteria
Points
Possible
Points
Earned
General
Paper adheres to APA formatting (title page, citations, references
page, etc.). This rubric pasted at the end of the assignment.
15
Writing is clear with appropriate grammar, spelling, and
punctuation. Headings are appropriately labeled
10

6. WHAT IS INTEGRATIVE STUDIES? 6
Definition (250 words)
Defines Integrative Studies in a personal way. Definition is clearly
derived from course definition.
10
Student discusses how Integrative Studies is beneficial. 10
Education (500 words)
Discusses 3 areas of concentration and connections. Also discusses
the specialized nature of degree program.
20
Complex Problem (250 words)
Identifies a complex problem and perspectives (outside 3 areas) that
might be used to research problem.
20
Connection (250 words)
Discusses future plans/next steps. 15
Total 100