3 Creative Powers of the Generalist | Sarah Dietrich | TEDxChurchillHighSchool

Sarah Dietrich works on the network operations group for the Earth Observing Satellites at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. She is a self-taught computer coder who mentors for Girls Who Code Howard County with BeYou Inc. Sarah has published 6 peer reviewed research articles on human and animal behavior while training dogs, dolphins, and the occasional undergraduate student. She holds a master’s degree in Communication from SUNY Buffalo and a BA in Psychology from McDaniel College. Sarah Dietrich works on the network operations group for the Earth Observing Satellites at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. She is a self-taught computer coder who mentors for Girls Who Code Howard County with BeYou Inc. Sarah has published 6 peer reviewed research articles on human and animal behavior while training dogs, dolphins, and the occasional undergraduate student. She holds a master’s degree in Communication from SUNY Buffalo and a BA in Psychology from McDaniel College. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@AlessandroBottoni]

Very interesting talk. I always had this feeling that "generalists" have a couple of advantages over "specialists" but... being a "generalist" is not better or worse than being a "specialist". It is just a different way to face problems. In many cases, it is the nature of problem at hand that forces you to adopt one of these two "paradigms" over the other. It is even possible that this distinction between "generalist" and "specialist" will become obsolete in the near future and that we will be forced to be BOTH a "specialist" AND a "generalist". The sheer complexity of the problems that we have to face in this century could make this "hybrid" approach required.

[@DwightAcorda]

Interesting. Love to hear it!

[@openmystic]

I've been a lifelong deliberate polymath. You quickly discover that when learning new areas, you are often just relabeling repeating patterns from areas you already know. This makes new learning very fast and easy. When carried to a natural extreme, this process can have spiritual implications as you gradually fathom a grand unity in all things.

[@PedroKnigge]

We need more people to understand this! Hope we can live in a world where generalist don't need to be cage as specialist!

[@mrclarky]

Her journey sounds a lot like my own, started in the structural engineering field as a draftsman, then went on to study and work in film, that lead to advertising and then later a marketing management role, now I'm heading more into consultancy.
It can be hard comparing my career with others a similar age who now have 10-15 years experience in one area, whereas I just have 3 here, 5 there etc. But I know I have gained a lot from the many perspectives and people I have worked with, and people recognise that.

[@nellyymessy]

this is so good, i can totally relate ❤️🥺

[@a7med7x7]

this is one of the most beautiful tedx talks I've watched

[@make_the_world_better_place]

Totally relatable to this topic. Feels good to know that I’m not alone.

[@eddydiong]

Thank you

[@KACZMARCZYK4369]

amazing intro

[@WillHal1000]

Good luck getting an employer to hire you as a "generalist" .

[@adamstephenson9011]

that depends on your field

[@amaroso273]

Generalists maybe have less potential rather than specialists to be employees, but they know how to make a job by using their creativity. Entrepreneur or businessman is usually a generalist because they know the potential business by connecting all fields.