Ways of Thinking

Decision-Making & Problem-Solving

Defines a problem or issue; identifies its potential causes; specifies a desired outcome; employs critical, practical, and creative thinking skills to generate possible solutions; and identifies and implements effective criteria for choosing amongst possible solutions.

Ethics

Understanding standards and expectations for personal and professional ethical behavior by acting in accord with an appropriate set of social norms, beliefs, and cultural values (e.g., trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship). Considers implications of actions and shows an awareness of the need to hold one’s self to a higher standard.

Idea Generation

Developing new and/or novel ideas through critical thinking and creative processes that address issues and/or lead to change.

Reflection & Analytical Reasoning

Considering the past and learning from successes and failures –own and others’ – to understand a situation, strategies used, and the impact of decisions. Employing critical, practical, and creative thinking skills within an ethical framework to connect disparate information; understanding the context of the situation from multiple perspectives; synthesizing information; being open-minded and flexible while considering multiple possible solutions.

Systems Thinking & Planning

Identifying tasks and setting deadlines to design, evaluate, and implement strategies to answer questions or achieve desired goals. Assessing a situation, organization, or network through examination of the linkages, interconnections, and/or interactions of it component parts – both internal and external – to better understand how it works, to be able to navigate through ripple effects of others’ decisions, and to make decisions that consider impact on a larger network or system.

Resources
Looking for resources to help you develop your ways of thinking? Check out some of the opportunities available to you below:

• Leadership & Professional Development Competencies Self-Guided Learning
  (Brightspace Course)
  • Employers expect students to graduate with both career specific knowledge and well developed abilities related to such areas as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, analytical reasoning, and continuous learning. This course offers self-guided learning modules to help students (1) understand employer expectations and (2) develop a strategy to meet those expectations. Each learning module focuses on a specific competency that has been identified in cooperation with employers. The competencies are also linked to the university’s embedded and foundational learning outcomes.
• Office of Undergraduate Research
  • Discover first-hand how research contributes to the advancement of human knowledge. Experience a change of pace from formal classroom activities and gain skills applicable to both research and non-research careers. Studies show that students who engage in research are more likely to graduate, more likely to go on to graduate school, and have more successful careers after graduation.
• College of Liberal Arts Margo Katherine Wilke Undergraduate Research Internship
  • The Margo Katherine Wilke Undergraduate Research Internship Program (referred to as the Wilke Program) is a competitive program that pairs a faculty research project with a student partner. Student partners also enroll in a 1 credit seminar (SCLA 49100 Wilke Undergrad Research Internship) which introduces them to basic practices in research and assists students in creating a poster to present their research.
• Center for Career Opportunities and Pre-Professional Advising
  • The Center for Career Opportunities informs and empowers students and graduates using transformative career services, innovative technologies and collaborative synergies to connect with professional opportunities within Indiana, the United States and the world.
• Student Employment
  • The staff in Purdue’s Student Employment Services is here to assist you in finding part-time work to help pay for some of your college expenses. Of course, earning money is the primary reason for getting a job. But there are many more benefits when you work during college. Working 8-12 hours per week while in school actually has been shown to help academic achievement. The workplace is a great way to meet people. While on the job you'll be able to take on new responsibilities and develop practical skills like time management, problem solving and organization. You might even make professional contacts for after graduation. Plus, working looks really good on your resume!
• Careers at Purdue Dining & Culinary
  • Looking for a paycheck, real-world work experience, and a flexible schedule that fits your busy life? Purdue Dining & Culinary offers students all of these things and more, boosting your bank account while giving you valuable experience that employers are looking for after graduation.
• Student Employment at Recreation & Wellness
  • In order to work for Recreation and Wellness, visit the Student Employment website and fill out a job application.  Not sure which area you are interested in?  Check out the many jobs we have available at Recreation and Wellness below.
• Student Activities and Organizations
  • SAO aims to engage students in intentional co-curricular learning experiences, acts as a catalyst for personal growth and provides resources that enrich the campus community.
• Purdue Course Listing
  • The catalog has a complete list of approved Purdue West Lafayette courses that may be used for meeting foundational learning outcomes.

For specific resources, search the Experiences Database

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