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Undergraduate Studies ePortfolio

Angela Pool-GrahamBA Psychology 2011

Personal Statement

I have spent much of my life fighting insecurities. I tend to view my life in two separate but equally important parts. There is the “who I was”, and “who I am” now. I say these two distinct individuals are equally important because I could not be where I am today without my earlier life experiences. Life is a developmental process, there is no right, or wrong, it is about balance.

My insecurities, emotional deficits if you will, led me to turn to food for comfort. Obesity and overweight issues are riddled throughout my life. I could say I was an emotional eater, I ate when happy, sad, hungry, lonely, bored or any other emotion that I experience. I was a professional dieter. I can honestly say that throughout my life I have lost enough weight in total that I should not exist in human form anymore. This overconsumption and weight loss rollercoaster fed my low self-esteem and I believed I had little to offer anyone and lost my “voice” in life. I existed; I did not participate. I suffered a bout of depression, hit the preverbal “rock bottom”, and re-discovered who I am. Through the trial and tribulations of broken relationships, single parenting a child with ODD, and family members with substance abuse issues, I have noticed my true core values have always been there. That epiphany, along with conviction and determination gave me the strength to re-evaluate and strive to make important changes in my lifestyle to become the person I want to be.

My personal goals include broadening my social horizons. Personal isolation from friends and family allows for a false sense of security. I see others in the same state of existence I had experienced and want to reach out and show them there is another path with fewer hurdles and more rewards. Growing up in a alcoholic environment and having a child with ODD and ADHD has enhanced my awareness of maladaptive behaviors and the modification processes necessary for intervention. I am passionate about sharing healthy food choices and the benefits of physical exercise. It is not simply a matter of assigning accountability to determine success or failure; it is about educating and finding personal balance to achieve success. I desire to help others that want to reach for self-actualization. To further my personal goals I have established professional goals.

Professionally I am determined to use my experience and insight to open a counseling facility that helps others that have substance abuse issues specializing in food overconsumption. I am drawn to this population of individuals through my own personal experiences. I know first hand how easy it is to band-aid a problem with abuse of a substance, and the enabling habits of loved ones that have the best of intentions. I am also determined to educate individuals on the cycle of destruction they instill in their children when intervention is not successful.

I am an online student at Argosy University graduating in March with a BA in Psychology. My immediate goal after graduation is to find employment at a substance abuse treatment facility and continue my education through to the Masters Level. Other education goals are to study fitness and nutrition and add to my previous undergraduate course knowledge in animal nutrition. Presently, my employment is not in line with my professional goals, but taking an entry-level position in a substance abuse treatment facility will allow me to enhance my personal and professional career choice. I am committed to continued growth through learning opportunities, professional and personal, to enhance my relationship with others individually and contribute accessible avenues of success to my target population in society.

Résumé

Angela Pool-Graham 15074 E Bakerville Rd, Mt Vernon, IL 62864 (T) (618)214-2835 (E) Angela_m_pg@yahoo.com

ObjectiveUpon completion of my Bachelors in Psychology I am seeking employmentin an entry level position as a counselor aide to build experience in the psychology field while I continue my educational goals.

Employment History1997 - Present Walgreens Dist Center, Mt Vernon , IL

WarehouseWorking with a diverse population of transitional individuals has developed my

communication skills. I am a confidential leason between the management and a group of workers with disabilities. This experience has broadened my knowledge of ADA rules and regulations as well as

encouraged my desire to further my education in an effort to help others.1992 - 1996 United States Air Force, Dayton, OH

Senior AirmanPerform and manage preparation and maintenance of mechanical and manual

accountable medical material records, and requisitioning, receiving, storing, issuing and accounting for supplies and equipment.

Process and monitor requests for contracts. Implement and direct medical materiel activities for inventory control, accounting, financial planning,

and management of supplies and equipment. perform and operatedcomputer operations. Responsible for shipping and receiving discrepancies.

Résumé

Education2011 Argosy University, Pheonix, AZ

Bachelors degree Psychology GPA: 4.0

1992 USAF, Wichita Falls, TXCertificate of Training Medical Logistics

1987 Southern Ilinois University, Carbondale, ILAttended Three Semisters Animal Industries

1986 Rend Lake College, Ina, ILAssociates of Science

Reflection

Beginning with an end in mind is simply setting a goal. Almost two years ago I set a goal of getting my BA in Psychology at Argosy University. I really had no direction to take my education I just knew I wanted to study Psychology and incorporate my passion for living a healthy lifestyle through diet and exercise. Online classes made my goal obtainable while working and parenting my boys. I was worried at first asking myself if I had what it took to take classes at my age given my distractions. I also worried if online classes were equally educational as traditional classes. Now that I am at the end of this part of the journey I have discovered I have a new found passion for my field of study and not only is it possible for me to complete my degree online, I learned more in the time spent at Argosy than in traditional college settings.

I have noticed while creating this presentation I have grown academically yet realize I have more room to improve. Throughout this journey I have learned to explore topics and apply critical thinking by looking at several perspectives rather than just my own. It is a new discovered passion to research topics and compare results of earlier works as it pertains to my questions while inspiring new directions to take my own research. It is empowering to learn and apply major concepts, theories and empirical findings to discussions not only at an academic setting but to every day conversation. Through discussions I have sharpened my own interpersonal communication skills that will enrich both my personal and professional endeavors.

Now that I have reached the end of my undergraduate studies, I am excited to further my education to help my target population of obese children. I was an obese child that grew up in a generation that preached the simple “calories in must be less than calories out” to reach the desired body weight. This still holds true but it is only one part of the equation. Without the total mind body connection of obesity there are many pitfalls that undermine the best efforts of any weight management program. With every failed attempt at managing weight there is a loss of self-worth that can disrupt the normal socioemotional development of children creating a higher risk of mental illness as well as obesity into their adult years.

This is where my new journey will begin. I plan to further my education to the Masters Degree level and become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Further education will bring a better understanding of statistical information evaluation and a broader understanding of how dysfunctional consumption patterns develop. With insight and education it is my long term goal to help others in their recovery from obesity.

Table of Contents

Cognitive Abilities: Critical Thinking and Information Literacy

Research SkillsCommunication Skills: Oral and WrittenEthics and Diversity AwarenessFoundations of PsychologyApplied PsychologyInterpersonal Effectiveness

Cognitive Abilities

Food Overconsumption Angela Pool-Graham

PSY492 UCFebruary 17, 2011

Found in BOX.NET

Research Skills

Gender Assessment of Body Image Issues:

Applied statistical data Angela Pool-Graham

December 17, 2010 Found in BOX.NET

Communication Skills:

Effective Communication Angela Pool-Graham June 23, 2010

Found in BOX.NET

Ethics and Diversity Awareness:

Ashley X: A Case Study Angela Pool-Graham August 17, 2009

Found in BOX.NET

Knowledge of Foundations of the Field:

Personality Assessment

Angela Pool-Graham

April 22, 2010 Found in BOX.NET

Knowledge of Applied Psychology:

Childhood Obesity Causes Low

Self-Esteem Angela Pool-Graham October 25, 2010

Found in BOX.NET

Interpersonal Effectiveness

Childhood Obesity: The Negative Effects of Childhood Obesity on Self-esteem.

Angela Pool-Graham Found in BOX.NET

My Future in Learning

I view learning as being a life long process. Education comes from formal academics as well as life experience. By keeping an open mind, remaining objective and viewing problems as challenges there is nothing that can stop an individual from reaching any goal they are adventurous enough to set. I plan to not only reach an end to my formal educational goals but also plan on learning from everyone I have contact with. I have included a small power point presentation in Slideshare that sums up my beliefs of the life long learning process. It is titled “Life Long Learning”.

Contact Me

Thank you for viewing my ePortfolio.

For further information, please contact me at the e-

mail address below. Angela_M_PG@Yahoo.com