Interdisciplinary Studies alum builds her own business right out of the gate

Anna Bazzle (BA, Interdisciplinary Studies, 2025) has one piece of advice for new Boise State students: "Keep exploring!"

The mantra is apt for Bazzle's own Boise State experience. She moved between disciplines early in her academic career before finding Interdisciplinary Studies, or IDS. Her ability to choose three disciplines as an IDS major was the perfect fit, and her natural curiosity made her choose a fourth.

"One of the things that really drew me to [IDS] was the fact that it allowed me to have a wide range of knowledge," Bazzle said. "Before I landed with IDS, I was undecided for a while. I felt like I was putting myself into a box with the other majors."

As an IDS major, Bazzle studied business, communication, applied leadership and conflict management. Her selections came together into the perfect bundle after graduation, helping her quit her full-time job in HR and start a life coaching business - Bazzle Coaching - less than a year after commencement.

"I never imagined I would start my business so quickly," she said. "After I graduated, everything in my life was aligning."

The key to speeding up her career timeline? Some good timing, the skills she picked up in her Boise State curriculum, and a whole lot of support from faculty.

Every IDS student completes a capstone project - a final product that reflects everything they learned through the program. Bazzle's capstone was a business plan that would become Bazzle Coaching just a year later. It included a financial forecast and a social media communications plan, drawing on all her prior coursework.

Reginald Jayne, an Associate Teaching Professor for Interdisciplinary Professional Studies and Applied Science, taught Bazzle's capstone course. "Reggie was definitely a great one to end on," Bazzle said. "The entire time I was in his course, I felt like I was so supported. I was given all this great feedback and it made me feel like I wanted to keep coming back so I could continue learning from him."

Bazzle Coaching is in its second month and starting strong. The eponymous founder is focused on personal development for her clients. "It's for people who are stuck in the day-to-day and want to have a life that's full of more meaning and purpose," Bazzle said.

For Boise State students still trying to find meaning and purpose in their academics, IDS might be the place to start. "If I had stopped at 'psychology is not the one for me,' I wouldn't have gotten where I am now," Bazzle said, looking back on her academic journey. "It's really about following your passions and making sure that, overall, your purpose aligns with what you're doing."

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