How Does Education Shape Your Everyday Problem-Solving?

Different educational backgrounds influence everyday problem-solving, learn from professionals across various fields. From a founder’s balance of artistic and analytical techniques to the structured thinking of a personal injury lawyer, here are the top five lessons on how their education in STEM, liberal arts, and more has shaped their approaches.

Balancing Artistic And Analytical Problem-Solving

My university degree is in Filmmaking, yet my earlier educational career was grounded in Math, Statistics, and Sciences. So, I have a relatively unique way of looking at problems. I firmly believe in the left/right-brain approach, but my balanced educational background allows me to analyze problems from both a left—and right-brain perspective.

For example, when putting together a seating plan for our wedding, my artistic left brain wanted to ensure we got the right combinations of people sitting together, relying on emotions to make decisions. In contrast, my right brain was adamant that we needed to use a logical, spreadsheet-based system rather than just relying on emotions and moving Post-it notes around a board!

In the end, finding a balance between the two won the day—I think this is the important takeaway regarding educational backgrounds and problem-solving. Just be aware of who you are problem-solving with and how their background might influence their decision-making.

Ross Crabb, Founder, Academic Performance Coaching

Marketing Major Shapes Communication-Driven Management

I’m a marketing major, and it’s given me a good eye for the importance of good communication and messaging. It’s one of the reasons I feel that I’ve excelled in management; I know how to communicate in ways that aren’t just clear—they’re also appealing and lead to the attitudes and outcomes I want. It makes me focus on appearances over concrete results, which is why we’re a strong management team; I’m just one of the voices in the room.

Nick Valentino, VP Of Market Operations, Bellhop

Legal Education Fosters Analytical Problem-Solving

My legal background profoundly influences the way I approach solving daily life problems. It’s not just in understanding statutes and case law but also in critical thinking skills, attention to detail, and a systematic procedure for tackling complex issues.

For example, during law school, I discovered the importance of separating complex questions into simpler parts and considering them from different viewpoints.

This skill has gone beyond legal practice. Thus, when making personal choices, resolving a workplace dispute, or planning for a large project, I always have the same analytical perspective toward any challenge.

To illustrate, I once helped my friend negotiate a lease agreement. My mind went to work as I pored over each clause in the contract, ensuring no hidden dangers existed. Applying my knowledge of contracts, I reasoned out what those terms meant in light of logical reasoning. Through this method, my friend’s interests were safeguarded while at the same time demonstrating how everyday situations can be affected by one’s legal skills.

Furthermore, my education stressed being articulate and conducting extensive investigations of any topic before propounding any idea. Day-to-day lives call for these capabilities, whether one wants to write an email that persuades or makes an informed choice, among other scenarios that might require judgment calls. They enable me to make strong arguments and actively engage with information sources from which to collect relevant material and take positions based on evidence.

In sum, being trained as an attorney has made me more structured in problem-solving, which has become an everyday thing ever since, helping me meet challenges head-on and confidently. Therefore, when dealing with a complex question, try breaking it into smaller bits, researching widely, and considering other perspectives, too, if necessary; thus, you will be able to address this daunting issue step by step in an orderly manner.

Soubhik Chakrabarti, CEO, Icy Tales

Structured Thinking From Law And Political Science

My background in law and political science has influenced how I tackle problems in daily life. Training in these fields has taught me the value of structured thinking and careful analysis. For instance, when facing a tricky situation, whether a complicated case or a personal dilemma, I rely on the skills I’ve developed to assess the facts and consider various outcomes methodically. 

This analytical approach ensures that I make informed decisions, whether negotiating a contract or deciding on the best way to resolve a family dispute. It’s like applying a legal framework to everyday problems—looking at the evidence, weighing the options, and predicting the consequences. This methodical mindset has been incredibly useful in keeping things on track in the office and home.

C.L. Mike Schmidt, Personal Injury Lawyer, Schmidt & Clark

History Degree Enhances Research And Writing Skills

My BA in History from UC Berkeley served me well for the first 30 years of my career. My first job was as a daily news reporter for radio. History taught me how to research, ask questions, and write well. It was also exciting to witness and report on history as events unfolded. I have also worked as a policy analyst, documentary film producer, and content strategist, all built on the skills I developed as a history major. 

Betsy Bayha, Regional Talent Development Sr. Manager, Gensler

source https://freeduhm.com/education-shape-your-everyday-problem-solving/