Redefining Career Preparation Through TEK’s Integration of the Essential Skills

In Spring 2026, the Gaines Center for the Humanities launched an innovative Track 2 TEK course, HMN 303: Humanities Laboratory, designed to immerse students in the lived experience of humanities work. The course was a transdisciplinary effort. Developed by Chelsea Brislin, associate director of the Gaines Center, and current TEK Faculty Fellow, and taught by Darren Taylor instructor in the College of Design, and Ruth Bryan, an archivist with UK Libraries, the course moved beyond traditional lecture-based instruction, offering a hands-on, team-taught exploration of archives, historic preservation, and applied research. The result was not only deeper student engagement, but also a powerful demonstration of how integrating the ten essential skills- a key component of TEK courses - can meaningfully prepare students for future careers.

Learning by Doing: A New Model for Humanities Education

At its core, HMN 303 challenged students to step directly into professional roles within the humanities. In Unit 1, students became short-term project archivists, working with real materials from the University of Kentucky Libraries Special Collections Research Center. Rather than simply learning about archives, they actively processed historical records, gaining firsthand insight into archival practices, organization systems, and the intellectual rigor required in the field.

Unit 2 shifted focus to historic preservation, using the Betts House as a living laboratory. Students conducted documentation, measurement, and research, learning how to assess structures both physically and culturally. By engaging with concepts like adaptive reuse, sustainability, and architectural context, they developed the ability to interpret and communicate the value of historic spaces.

This experiential structure aligned directly with TEK’s emphasis on applied learning—where knowledge is not only acquired but practiced in meaningful, real-world contexts.

Integration of TEK’s Ten Essential Skills

The effectiveness of HMN 303 lies in how naturally it embedded the ten essential skills into every aspect of the course. Students were not explicitly “taught” these skills in isolation; instead, they developed them organically through immersive activities:

• Critical & Creative Thinking: Students analyzed incomplete archival records and ambiguous historical narratives, requiring interpretation, inference, and decision-making.
• Communication: Through written assessments and collaborative discussions, students learned to articulate complex historical and architectural ideas clearly.
• Teamwork & Collaboration: Pair-based documentation projects and shared archival responsibilities fostered cooperation and accountability.
• Adaptability: Each unit presented unfamiliar challenges, pushing students to navigate new tools, environments, and expectations.
• Professionalism: Acting in real-world roles required attention to detail, time management, and responsibility.
• Information Literacy: Archival processing and research demanded careful evaluation and organization of information.
• Creativity & Innovation: From interpreting historical materials to documenting structures, students approached problems with originality.
• Leadership:  Students took ownership of their projects, guiding their own learning within a structured framework.

By embedding these competencies into authentic tasks, the course ensured that skill development was both practical and transferable.

Student Impact: Confidence, Clarity, and Career Direction

Student feedback highlights the transformative impact of this approach. Many emphasized how the hands-on nature of the course deepened their understanding far beyond theoretical learning:

“I enjoyed the hands-on aspects of this course. It contributed greatly to my learning because we dove deeper than purely theoretical ideas.”

For some, the course reshaped their perception of career possibilities in the humanities:

“I discovered a new interest for archiving and feel more confident pursuing a career in the humanities… This class proved me wrong.”

Others pointed to the value of learning directly from professionals and engaging in real-world tasks:

“I enjoyed that our class was able to learn from two people who had actual careers in the humanities field… and interact with hands-on material from two different careers.”

This feedback underscores a key outcome of transdisciplinary education: students not only gain skills but also develop confidence in applying them beyond the classroom.

Preparing Students for the Future Workforce

One of the most significant challenges facing humanities students is connecting academic study to career pathways. HMN 303 addressed this gap directly. By simulating professional environments and expectations, the course made career possibilities tangible and accessible.

Students left with:

• Practical experience in archival and preservation work
• A clearer understanding of humanities-related careers
• Demonstrated proficiency in essential, transferable skills
• Increased confidence in their professional potential

The course also emphasized interdisciplinary thinking, showing how humanities skills intersect with fields like architecture, design, and information science—broadening students’ perspectives on where their education can take them.

A Model for TEK Course Innovation

HMN 303 stands as a compelling example of what TEK courses can achieve when experiential learning and essential skill development are fully integrated. Its success lies not only in its content, but in its structure—prioritizing engagement, application, and reflection.

Students described the course as “informative,” “experimental,” and one they “would recommend to all students,” signaling both high satisfaction and meaningful impact.

As universities continue to rethink how to prepare students for an evolving workforce, courses like HMN 303 offer a clear path forward: combine hands-on learning with intentional skill development, and students will leave not only educated, but empowered.