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Professional Portfolio
Advanced General Psychology
PSY492
Jessica Brown
Professor Clarke
September 12, 2010

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Advanced General Psychology: Professional Portfolio
Attending college is not in the cards for everyone. I come from a family that had
no college bound children, I was the exception. College was a new adventure that I
jumped into with no idea where I wanted it to take me. After three years of community
college I decided on Psychology. In my first year of working on my BA in psychology I
found this drive in me that I never thought I had. School became a priority and something
of interest in my life and I went from having a low 2.0 GPA to having over a 3.0 in
college. Although I had no idea what I was going to do with a degree in psychology, at
first, I knew it was what I wanted to study. Over the years of studying psychology I
noticed the growth in my communication skills. I was very shy growing up but as I got
further into the psychology program I began to open up and have a voice.
Graduating from college with a four year degree was a very intimidating goal at
first, but as I got further into it, it became more exciting. Now that I have achieved this
major goal for myself, the next step is to set a new goal. I want to continue my education
and work towards getting a Masters in Marriage and Family counseling. To complete a
master’s degree is something I never thought I would be pushing myself to do, but after
completing my BA and working in the field I currently am in, it’s exactly what I want.
I have spent the last three years working at one of the most rewarding, yet
difficult jobs. Being a preschool teacher to four year olds has so many wonderful gifts
that come with it, as well as stressors. Working with four year olds I have learned to have
patience, be flexible, compassion, organization, and communication skills. Although
communicating with a four year old is different than an adult, you still have to learn how
to change you communication skills to fit that person. I have worked as a receptionist,

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title assistant, and cashier, all of which have taught me how to communicate with people,
as well as having patience. However, none have tested or taught me as much as working
with children. There is no way to have everything go according to plan when working
with kids. They have bad days and good days, so you are always on your toes and always
changing what was initially planned for the day. In my position as a teacher, I have also
learned how to communicate with not only children, but adults. I had to communicate
with them on how their child’s day went, what we learned, what is needed for the week
and other situations that may arise. Communicating with parents about their child’s day
isn’t always positive, so I’ve had to learn how to communicate negative behavior but do
so in a positive manner. Teaching has also taught me to be organized; having to prepare a
lesson plan, prep the art projects, as well as following a schedule.
I have always been a caretaker and have always enjoyed working with children.
After three years of teaching and many years of babysitting I knew I wanted to continue
my work with children, only in a different setting. With all the experiences I have had in
life, school, and work I know that my final career goal is to become a school counselor. I
want to continue to make a difference in children’s lives and continue to help our future
generations. Working with children is one of the most rewarding things you can ever do.
I have working with children from all different types of home lives and I know that I
want to continue to have a positive impact on our future generations.