Au Psy492 M7 A3 E Portf Sharma J

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Undergraduate Studies ePortfolio

Jessica SharmaPSY492, 2011

Personal Statement

My interest in psychology dates back to my senior year in high school where I took my first general psychology class. I loved every aspect about it, and from there I knew what I wanted my major in college to be. I started my college career at a community college, and during one of my psychology classes we had a guest speaker. The topic they were discussing was autism and working with children with this disorder. Everything about the program fascinated me, and I knew from that moment I wanted a career in working with children with autism.

Since I was already working on my bachelor’s in psychology I decided to stick with that, and I would then pursue my master’s later in Applied Behavior Analysis. ABA specializes in behavioral problems, with autism being one of them. Since I’m now coming up on my graduation date for my bachelor’s degree, I want to find employment in my field of interest before going on to pursue my master’s. The only concern I have is not having any work experience in this field yet. I also know that I will need to pursue a Behavior Analyst Certificate to be board certified to work with these children. However, I have no problem with doing whatever is necessary to get where I want to be.

Personal Statement Con’t…

During my undergraduate studies I’ve taken a variety of different courses that have prepared me for the work I want to do. They vary from diversity, ethics in society, managing, cognition and learning, social psychology, children and violence, developmental psychology, interpersonal effectiveness, and general psychology; just to name a few. All of these have helped me to develop many different skills, abilities, and interests.

Over the past few years, I’ve acquired great people skills and the ability to be able to communicate with people from diverse backgrounds. I’ve also acquired analytical skills as well as writing skills. Being able to figure out why problems occur and how to minimize or eliminate them is just one of the many things I’ve learned. I’m capable of writing all different types of papers such as persuasive, research, review, and caparison. Another skill I’ve gained during my undergraduate studies is research skills. Having taken many different math classes I’m able to look at and use graphs, tables, and statistics to analyze problems and then communicate my findings. Having gained all these skills has only increased my interests in what I want to do with my career.

Personal Statement Con’t…

I’m drawn to wanting to help those who are in need, especially when it comes to children. I have the passion to want to teach and change a person’s life. I believe that I can accomplish this in the field of ABA. I also have strong values that will help push me to do more than I believe I’m capable of at times. Perseverance, adaptability, integrity, understanding, patience, commitment, compassion, and just having a drive to succeed all push me in the right direction. I believe with my abilities, skills, and values I will succeed in this field and with helping children who have autism.

My personal development and goals throughout my undergraduate studies have both expanded greatly. I’ve developed more skills and knowledge then I ever thought I would, which has also expanded my goals. I now want to pursue my masters and maybe even one day my doctorates degree. I want to help as many people as I can while learning and excelling along the way. As for my professional goals, I want to gain as much experience as I can and maybe one day have a practice of my own. I know I may have to start at the bottom, but I plan to work as hard as I can to get to the top.

Overall, I see myself developing and growing constantly. I know I have the skills it takes to work in this field, but now I need the opportunity and experiences to excel. I know finding a job or internship will help me with this development, and give me even more skills to carry throughout my career. I now just have to find the right place to get started, and from there my real journey will begin!

Resume

Jessica Sharma Newly Graduated Professional Focusing on Psychology and Genetics

Counseling

Personal ProfileEnergetic, dedicated BA graduate with strong interpersonal skills. Very diverse

background having taken classes in all aspects of the Psychology field of study. Proven ability to work effectively with people of various ages, cultural backgrounds, and socio-economic statuses. Long-time interest in Psychology and Genetics Counseling. Well-developed people, analytical, writing, and research skills. Striving to get into a graduate program for Genetics Counseling or obtain an entry-level position utilizing my education and training in Psychology.

Academic BackgroundArgosy University Online, Phoenix, AZ

B.A., Psychology, 2011GPA 3.8/4.0

Trabuco Hills High School, Mission Viejo, CADiploma, 2005GPA 3.8/4.0

Resume Con’t…

Professional Experience

Nob Hill Foods, Livermore, CA 4/2006-3/2008

Food ServiceDeli Clerk• Worked 40 hrs/wk while in college, and maintained a 3.8 G.P.A.• Assisted customers with food orders and payments. Became a five star employee for

outstanding customer service.• Prepped and cooked meals, sliced meats and chesses, made specialty sandwiches,

organized, and cleaned• Took sanitation classes as well as food safety classes

Crown Vision, Mission Viejo, CA 12/2004-12/2005

ReceptionistFront Desk Clerk• Worked part time in an eye doctor's office while in High School.• Assisted customers with glasses and contact orders, payments, and scheduling

appointments.• Filed charts, answered phones, organized paper work, and typed files, bills, and any

other information onto computer database.

Resume Con’t…

Strengths and Honors:

Strengths• Successful leader, equally effective as member of a team.• Great at working with others in a diverse workplace.• Highly organized able to multi-task and accomplish multiple

objectives.• Professional demeanor and attentive to detail.• Strong communication skills.• Efficient computer and writing skills.• Enjoy working in a challenging environment.Honors• President's List• Dean's List• Exemplary student in school newsletter

Reflection

I started my academic adventure at a community college, but after marrying a military service member it only made sense to switch to online education due to the constant moving to different states. I’ve loved that I can take my schooling with me wherever I go, and I can do my work whenever it’s most convenient for me. These last three years of doing schooling online have taught me so much about myself as well as about the field in which I’m studying.

To name a few, I’ve learned to have a stronger drive for what I do, better time management skills, and more self-motivation skills. With online education you don’t have anyone pushing you but yourself so you really have to love what you’re doing. During my years at Argosy University I’ve developed so many skills from communicating, writing, researching, and thinking. I’ve also learned so much about diversity and working with people all around the states. Overall, the biggest thing I’ve learned is how much more I love the field of Psychology, and I’ve even been able to develop a professional portfolio of all my work. Argosy University has changed me in so many ways, all for the better, and taught me so many new things!!

Table of Contents

• Cognitive Abilities: Critical Thinking and Information Literacy

• Research Skills• Communication Skills: Oral and

Written• Ethics and Diversity Awareness• Foundations of Psychology• Applied Psychology• Interpersonal Effectiveness

Cognitive Abilities: Critical Thinking and Information Literacy

Assignments or projects that demonstrate problem solving, analysis, synthesis, appropriate use of information resources, etc.

• AU_PSY360_coglab_SharmaJ.doc

• AU_PSY360_SharmaJ.doc

Research Skills

A copy of a research proposal, a survey developed, etc.

• AU_ENG102_SharmaJ.doc


Communication Skills: Oral and Written

A topic paper, presentation outline, or PowerPoint that demonstrates written and oral communication skills.

• AU_ENG101_SharmaJ.doc

• AU_PSY482_SharmaJ.ppt

• AU_PSY492_M7_A2_RvwPwrPt_Sharma_J.pptx

Ethics and Diversity Awareness

A copy of a paper that demonstrates your understanding and/or analysis of ethical and diversity issue in Psychology.

• AU_MGT450_SharmaJ.doc


Foundations of Psychology

Assignments, papers, or projects that demonstrate understanding of basic concepts, theories, and empirical findings in one or more of the domains of psychology, including biological, cognitive, developmental, personality, and social.



Applied Psychology

Assignments, papers, or projects from courses and/or internship that demonstrates ability to apply psychology to personal, social, and/or organizational problems.


• AU_PSY405_final_SharmaJ.doc


Interpersonal Effectiveness

PowerPoint presentations or videos of presentations that demonstrate ability to communicate effectively, appreciate diversity, and cultural sensitivity and awareness of impact on others.

• AU_COM301_SharmaJ.ppt


• AU_SOC416_SharmaJ.doc

My Future in Learning

Learning is a lifelong process. I envision my future as a lifelong learner constantly on a changing road learning something new everyday!

• I hope to find employment in the field of Psychology that will increase my knowledge in what I’m doing.

• I strive to be accepted into the graduate program of Genetics Counseling and learning everything about that field so that I can use it in the real world.

• I plan to further expand my skills I’ve learned here at Argosy University.

• Lastly, I want to continue to gain knowledge with everything I do.

Contact Me

Thank you for viewing my ePortfolio.

For further information, please contact me at the e-

mail address below. [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

Au Psy492 M7 A3 E Portf Sharma J

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