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Undergraduate Studies ePortfolio

Joleen HuertasPsychology - 2010

Personal Statement

My name is Joleen Greco Huertas, Huertas. I am originally from Long Island, New York and moved to the Western North Carolina area in 1998. I am currently enrolled in college online and am working towards achieving my Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. I have always had an interest in psychology. Even when I was in high school and a psychology class was offered I was very excited to take it. The processes and powers of the mind interest me in ways other things never have. Also, the area of psychology allows a person to help other people in their life’s journeys.

I have taken on many types of jobs throughout my adult life, from secretarial to home care. Home care jobs interested me because they are about helping others; however, I also enjoy the satisfaction that comes with having ones own office and own space. In my last job I worked with the senior population. Even though this position was a secretarial position supporting the Volunteer Services Department, there were opportunities to help some of the volunteers with their issues, being an ear, finding information for them that would help them in their life, and finding educational information for them to learn from.

My goal once I obtain my Bachelor’s Degree is to work with school aged children at the middle school to high school age level. My belief is children, when they are young, and in elementary school, they are learning about behaviors, how to handle certain situations, the dangers of drugs and alcohol, etc. However, I do not believe that children are taught how to deal with peer pressure, how to deal with finding their identities. Once they are in middle school, some of the lessons they learned in elementary school are not reinforced unless school officials or parents feel there is a pending problem with the child’s behaviors. I feel that if there is someone for these children to talk with, to not judge them, to help them find their own way, that they will be more prepared and more confident to deal with the issues of peer pressure and finding their identities.

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Personal Statement

In 2002 I received my Associates Degree in Human Services from the local community college. I continued to go to school at night while working full time and raising my children until I became pregnant again and was put on reduced work hours and advised by my physician to not continue with school at that time due to the risks associated with my pregnancy. However, I knew I wanted to continue to work towards getting my Bachelor’s Degree in the near future. The opportunity presented itself again in 2008 when I spoke to an advisor at Argosy University Online. They explained their programs and answered my questions, and felt since I had young children, the online medium would best fit my life, especially since I was still working full time.

I believe not only do my skills acquired from work would be an asset to any company or agency, along with my education, that the values I posses would be of great value as well. I am empathetic, caring, compassionate, and truly wish to help others find their way in the best possible way for them. Through listening, using open ended questions, and a genuine caring for human kind, I can and am able to help other people. Along with the secretarial skills I have acquired through many years of work, I am aware of office procedures, of how to use office equipment, and am proficient in working on most any computer program, as I learn quickly. Although I do not have actual professional experience that can be listed on my resume of my abilities to assist others in the counseling relationship, throughout my life and throughout my many positions both in the office and in home care situations, I am confident that I posses the necessary skills in order to be an effective and compassionate counselor.

You may find more information on me at my Linkedin.com page at http://www.linkedin.com/in/joleenhuertas where you will find recommendations from my last employer along with recommendations from other employees at that agency.

Resume

Professional ObjectiveTo obtain a position within an organization that will utilize my knowledge , skills and experience that will provide growth opportunities

Skill AreasProficient in all Windows software including Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Publisher, OutlookWorking Knowledge of photo/document editing software: Photoshop, Adobe PageMaker, Adobe Illustrator, InDesign

AccomplishmentsWorked with area agencies in developing the 2008-2012 Buncombe County Aging PlanSuccessfully completed Mediation TrainingAssisted annually in development, design, and content of agency’s annual reportUtilized editing skills in design and content of other department’s newsletters

Education and TrainingBachelor Degree Psychology Argosy University OnlineAssociate Degree Human Services Asheville-Buncombe Tech. Comm. College

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Resume

ExperienceLand-of-Sky Regional Council July 2005 to July

2009Volunteer Services Project Assistant• Transcribe a variety of correspondence and reports, design newsletters and brochures, and

place press releases and newsletters in the appropriate file(s) for submission to web page;• Record and summarize statistical information, tables, charts, graphs or information for

standard reports or grants; select;• File and retrieve materials using databases or hard files; perform data entry to maintain

files, establish and revise record systems as needed;• Provide general volunteer program information to visitors, clients and general public; • Answer telephone calls, prepare preliminary drafts or correspondence, compose forms,

letters, memoranda, reports and other materials for work requests originator to review;• Gather a variety of information utilizing knowledge of programs and procedures, serve as

primary point of contact on established policies, procedures, rules and regulations and refer calls to the appropriate department or program director;

• Maintain varied reports and records for appointments, activity reports, report distribution and filing, update current list of contacts for varied programs as instructed by work requests.

Land-of-Sky Regional Council March 2003 to July 2005

Administrative Assistant/Receptionist• Answer multi-lined phone and directing calls appropriately to program personnel;• Assist clients with information about the agency, services provided, and direct them to the

appropriate program person for further assistance if necessary;• Assist all departments with correspondence, forms, letters, and other work requests;• Edit monthly volunteer timesheets and assemble monthly volunteer timesheet packets with

correspondence and other documents as provided by program personnel;• Create display posters and other memorabilia for department events in and outside of

agency;• Maintain mailing database for agency and all departments as needed;• Receive, open, and disseminate incoming mail, and prepare any outgoing mail.Next slide

Resume

Skill Creations, Inc. May 2002 to January 2003

Direct Care Technician• Assisted clients with daily tasks and personal needs• Escorted clients in community outings• Objectively recording of clients daily activities• Maintained client confidentiality

AB Tech Community College October 2000 to May 2002

Federal Work Study Student• Assisted Financial Aid Department with clerical tasks• Assisted students when necessary• Collated, copied, faxed, shredded confidential documents, filed student records

Project STEAM October 2001 to May 2002

Intern – Clerk• Assisted after school program with at-risk youth population• Researched various activities for clientele to engage in • Assisted Director of Student Services in maintaining confidential file records• Worked closely with clients to produce positive feelings within themselves

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References

ReferencesJoyce MoncadaAsheville-Buncombe Technical Community College340 Victoria Rd.Asheville, NC 28801828-254-1921 ext 162

Rebecca Casey701 Warren Wilson Rd., #6047Swannanoa, NC 28778828-298-2363

LeeAnne TuckerLand-of-Sky Regional Council339 New Leicester Hwy., Suite 140Asheville, NC 28806828-251-6622, ext. 122

Reflection

Beginning my studies at Argosy University Online in January 2009, I have learned a lot about the field of Psychology and have also learned about self discipline. Always a very strong worker, it was challenging to incorporate that work ethic when at home. Through some struggles, I have learned how to manage my time more efficiently.

I have proven to myself that I am able to incorporate psychological perspectives into every day life as well. My written skills have improved, learned the ability to interpret statistical information, am able to think about what I say to people instead of being driven by feelings alone, learned more about ethics and ethical issues with regards to psychology and the social sciences, reinforced the knowledge of multi-cultural issues with regards to dealing with people in the service industry, and feel through not only my education, but through life experiences that I will be an effective counselor to those who access counseling services.

Table of Contents

Cognitive Abilities: Critical Thinking and Information Literacy

Research: Schizophrenia Review Paper: http://www.box.net/files Communication Skills: Recommendations on linkedin profile:

http://www.linkedin.com/profile/edit?id=47840350&trk=hb_tab_pro_top

Ethics and Diversity Awareness: Classes at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College – Working with Diversity, Ethics in Social Work.

My Future in Learning

Learning is a lifelong process. A person can never learn too much, there is always something for a person to learn. It is important for those who are in the service industry, such as counseling or social services to continually seek out educational opportunities. New techniques, rules and regulations, and other aspects of the service industry are discovered often. It is important for the helping professional to keep abreast of the newest ways to help and to incorporate them into what they already have the knowledge of. This is not only an important service for the helping

professional, but also for the clients they serve.

Contact Me

Thank you for viewing my ePortfolio.

For further information, please contact me at the e-

mail address below. jhuertas@charter.net or

joleen.huertas@yahoo.com