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Undergraduate Studies ePortfolio

Amanda WalshPsychology, 2012

Personal Statement

Babysitting, nannying, teaching Sunday school, tutoring, working in elementary school classrooms; these are all activities that have lead me right into the career path that I am pursuing today. I am committed to the field of psychology in the area of guidance counseling because I not only do I have a passion for psychology, but I also have a love for children. I know that when I enter my career as a guidance counselor I will help change children’s lives.

Building up to my major in Psychology I have had many things in my life point me in the direction of school counseling. Starting at the age of eleven I started babysitting for many families around the neighborhood. I continued to do this all through high school. Once I started college I began to nanny for a family and continued to work for this family for seven years. During this time I also taught Sunday school at the church that I attend. Even now that I am married and have a baby on the way, I am still nannying for two wonderful families. Everywhere I work employers and parents make the comment that I was born to work with children and that I have a connection with children that they have never seen.

When I began my academic career at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls I believed that I was going to pursuit a career in Elementary Education. Shortly into my schooling I realized that I was much more interested and passionate about the one-on-one interactions with school aged children than the teaching itself. I was participating in a tutoring program based out of St. Paul, MN when I had the pleasure of helping children who needed extra attention in an afterschool program. I thrived in this setting more than I ever had in the teaching atmosphere. It was after this that I continued my education at Argosy University with a Psychology major.

Personal Statement

All of the experiences that I have had with children have helped me develop skills that will be useful in my future. Starting babysitting so young taught me responsibility. Babysitting and nannying helped me to learn compassion, patience, and great listening skills. Teaching Sunday school helped me develop skills in lesson planning, group management, family consulting and group speaking. When I helped with the tutoring program I gained appreciation for diversity and loved the challenge of helping children who didn’t have the family structure and support that I was used to seeing.

Upon graduation from Argosy University with my Bachelors degree in Psychology I will continue pursuing my dream to become a guidance counselor by applying to graduate school. I know that in order for me to have a successful future in the career I want I must complete graduate school.

School counseling is the perfect fit for me because I want to work with children who are troubled and need assistance in learning how to function more successfully with their peers, family, and teachers. I love the prospect of a challenge and I know that this profession will challenge me. No situation is the same, no child is the same and this is so thrilling to me.

I hope that I have been able to paint an appropriate picture of who I am and why I would be a great fit in your graduate program. I would be absolutely honored to have the opportunity to express my interest in your school in person if you have any questions for me. I am prepared to invest myself, my time, my effort, and all my energies toward earning this degree.

Resume

Amanda Walsh

2106 Linden Trail, North Mankato, MN 56003

507-340-6673 (Mobile)

abhendrickson713@yahoo.com

 

PERSONAL PROFILE

 

A dedicated student at Argosy University. I am currently in the last semester at Argosy. After completion of my Bachelors Degree I am looking to continue my education at Minnesota State University-Mankato. I believe that a Masters Degree in the Professional School Counseling program in the Department of Counseling and Student Personnel at your school will provide me with the opportunity to continue on with my education and start a career that I am passionate about. I will be a great fit for this program because of my love for children, my experience with children, my experience in elementary school settings, and the dedication I have for achieving my goals.

SKILLS PROFILE

 

Ability to connect, respond and build relationships with fellow students, professors, and future employers

Knowledge of and experience with the daily responsibilities that are needed for homework assignments and researching.

Good organizational skills.

Dedicated, loyal and very responsible.

Ability to communicate well with people.

 

ResumeEMPLOYMENT HISTORY

 

Nanny2002-current

Greer Family, Eden Prairie, MN

Actively and enthusiastically play and create learning experiences.

Coordinate art/craft projects during the day without direction.

Complete dinner time and bed time routines including: going outside to play, making dinner, cleaning up, giving baths, reading stories, and putting the children to bed.

Front Desk2005-2006

Country Inn and Suites, River Fall, WI

Answered phones and booked reservations for customers.

Kept the breakfast area clean and stocked with food.

Organized supply room - washed bedding and towels, folded the laundry, and kept the housekeeping carts stocked with supplies at all times.

Made sure the lobby, lobby bathrooms, and conference rooms were clean continuously throughout shift.

Night Secretary2003-2004

Kitchenmaster and Co, North Mankato, MN

Answered phones and accurately booked appointments for accountants.

Filed client’s paperwork.

Kept waiting area clean and stocked with fresh coffee and cookies.

Performed miscellaneous office duties - copying, shredding, etc.

Resume

EDUCATION 

Diploma 2004

Loyola High School, Mankato, MN

BA in Psychology 2012

Currently attending Argosy University for my BA in Psychology

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reflection

When I started at Argosy University and took my first courses, I learned what it was like to have a passion for school. It was the first time in my school career that I felt that I was where I belonged. Now, as I finish up my last semester, I feel I have received the type of education that I can apply to life after college.

Although I do not claim or pretend to be any kind of expert, I do know that I am graduating with knowledge that I can put to use as a counselor. I feel prepared to enter into graduate school and succeed there. Argosy University and the amazing staff has left me with confidence to pursue a career in guidance counseling.

My Future in Learning

I cannot wait to continue my education after I receive my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. I plan to attend graduate school in order to achieve my Master’s degree in Guidance Counseling.

In the career of counseling learning never stops. Counselors make a commitment to always stay educated about ethics, theories, culture, and many other topics. I also look forward to learning from the clients that I will see on a daily basis.

Contact Me

Thank you for viewing my ePortfolio.

For further information, please contact me at the e-mail address

below.

abhendrickson713@yahoo.com