This document summarizes Kimberly Smith's educational background and career goals. She grew up in a small town in Vermont and initially attended college to become an elementary school teacher but discovered a passion for psychology. After having a family, she returned to school part-time at a community college and then transferred to an online psychology program to earn her bachelor's degree. Her goal is to continue her education by obtaining a master's degree and PhD in psychology to open her own counseling practice helping abused and neglected children.
2. Personal Statement Personal Statement I grew up in a very small town, in which I still live with my family. I attended the local high school and after graduating I tried to go onto college and discovered that I was not ready to attend for four years. I was going for a degree in elementary education as I wanted to work with children and thought I wanted to become a teacher as I had admired so many of my own teacher’s. In the year that I attended Lyndon State College, I started to realize that I enjoyed the psychology classes and decided that if I were to ever go back to school I would learn more about psychology. As the years went on I married and discovered shortly after my daughter was born that I could not see myself working as a receptionist for a long period of time, my heart and mine were looking for something more meaningful and I wanted to return to school. In 2006 I was able to quit my job as a receptionist and started taking classes at the Community College of Vermont. I attended CCV for about two years and realized that I had to transfer to a college or university that could offer me a degree in psychology. In 2008 I transferred from CCV to Argosy University (online) and in June of 2011 I will have successfully completed my undergraduate studies in the field of psychology. Upon graduating I am a member of the National Collegiate Society as I am one of the top 20% of my class, I was invited to be a member in 2010. I have learned a lot about myself along the way and of the many skills I have learned how to communicate better, be more observant and more open minded towards other people and the type of life styles that each person chooses to live. I know that I want to work with children that suffer from child abuse and neglect and I want to help empower them. After completing my studies through Argosy University, I want to continue my education and earn my Master’s degree in Psychology and start a counseling center for abused and neglected children. I will then go on and earn my PhD in psychology and hopefully will someday have my own counseling practice for abused and neglected children.
3. Resume Educational Background: Blue Mountain Union High School, Wells River, VT from Pre-K through the 12th grade. I graduated from Blue Mountain Union in 1993. Lyndon State College, Lyndonville, VT from 1993 – 1994. Community College of Vermont, St. Johnsbury, VT from 2006 – 2008. Argosy University (online) Phoenix, AZ from 2008 – 2011. I will graduate in November of 2011 with a BA in psychology. Work History: Mountain Club on Loon Ski Resort, Lincoln, NH. Reservationist – 1999 – 2000. Supervisor: Mike Simons. An Affair to Remember Bridal Shop. Customer Service. 2002 – 2003. Supervisor/Owner: Jesse Whalen. St. J. Subaru. Receptionist. 2005 – 2006. Supervisor/Owner: Mike Loschiavo. Awards: I was accepted as a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars as one of the top 20% of my class through Argosy University in 2010.
4. Reflection I started going to college at the young age of 18 and I thought that I was ready and prepared for what college life had to offer. However after my first year of attending college I realized that I was not ready or prepared at all. So I entered into the workforce and after marrying and having our second child, as an adult I decided it was time to return to school and obtain my degree in psychology. My experience with taking classes in an actual classroom setting through a local community college, has taught me to become more confident and helpful of others. I am not afraid to speak up and ask for help if I do not understand something, or I need advice on a project. I wanted something more than what a regular community college could offer, so in 2008 I decided to give Argosy University a try. I liked the fact that I could obtain my degree in psychology and still be at home with my children and learn online. I have learned so much about myself and I have changed and am still changing in positive ways thanks to the lessons I have learned through Argosy and the online programs that they have offered. I have become a better communicator, critical thinker, and observer of behaviors in a person. I have a better understanding of diverse cultures and a deep respect for those people and cultures that are different from my own.
5. 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 **Include work samples and projects with a Title Page and organized accordingly to demonstrate each of the Program Outcomes above
7. My Future in Learning Reflection of Being a Lifelong Learner I have learned so much within the years that I have returned back to school since I graduated from high school and attended my first year of college. I have learned to be more confident in who I am as a person, I have discovered new things that I had only heard about but never explored further until I started taking courses online through Argosy University, things such as certain types of mental illnesses and the causes, and how to diagnose and treat patients. I have also learned from my fellow colleagues through them sharing their own stories and experiences and I have learned from my professors. I am looking forward to a future filled with more knowledge to be learned and more experiences to be had, and I am looking forward to a future of meeting more wonderful people as I continue my educational journey, which I see as one that will never end.
8. Contact Me Thank you for viewing my ePortfolio. For further information, please contact me at the e-mail address below. rksmith@fairpoint.net
