1

Undergraduate Studies ePortfolio

Melody C. PhillipsPsychology, 2011

Personal Statement

• My name is Melody Phillips. I graduated from Billy Ryan High School in 2000. I was involved in marching band in which I was Color-guard Captain.

• I’ve played the cello since the age of 10 and a member of thespians while in grade school. I was a member of the Student Government Association at Tyler Junior College.

• I tutored college level history and English. I am a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. I have had a job since I was 15 years of age.

Personal Statement Cont.

• Being the eldest of 3, I have always had an innate responsibility and drive to be a leader. I believed at a very young age, that I needed to be a good example for my sisters to follow.

• Being a first generation graduate, I believe I have a lot to live up to. Therefore, I have and will continue to do my best at any and every thing that I consider as far as my future is concerned.

• I have done volunteer work including peer mediation counseling for Brown Chapel C.M.E Church, helping elderly people with housework in their personal homes, and assisting with events and functions at Mt. Pilgrim C.M.E Church.

Personal Statement Cont.

My post graduate plans are to obtain an entry level job in criminal justice (i.e. corrections officer, drug and substance abuse counseling) or management in retail because of my past experience. If it is possible, I would like to have obtained a job that would allow me to attend graduate school for my Master’s degree in Psychology.

Summary of job skills

Retail and Business Management– Accounting– Inventory Management– Employee Training– Customer Service

Dining and Restaurant Services– Food Preparation– Employee Training– Chef’s Helper

Summary of Job Skills Cont.

Telemarketing– Cold Calling– Selling cable & pledges for state troopers

associations

Library Sciences– Cataloging and removing books from

circulation– Security Strip– Permanent Covers for paper backs

Determination

I have always been hard working, willing to assist, and versatile to fit the requirements of whatever task is given to me. I adapt efficiently to any given work atmosphere. I have won 5 gold star awards at 7-Eleven for customer service, so I consider myself eager to help and accommodate others. I have worked in retail for 6 years and I thoroughly execute what is expected of me.

Determination Cont.

Within the first year of my employment at 7-Eleven, I had completed all training modules and assessments to gain my position as an assistant manager. With my work at 7-Eleven as proof, I am goal driven. I am very observant. I make sure to explore every aspect of an important decision (possible outcomes and consequences) before making it.

Resume

Melody Phillips 414 Ruth St. Denton, TX 76205(940)206-3674mcp7381@yahoo.com EDUCATION Argosy University Bachelor of Arts in PsychologyGraduation date: June, 2011

Current GPA: 3.16 Billy Ryan High SchoolGraduation date: May, 2000 EMPLOYMENT 7-Eleven #236381629 W. University Dr. Denton, TX

76201 (940) 566-2921August 2006 – Current

Supervisor: Cameron YatesPosition: Assistant Manager SalesStore ResetsCash ReportsInterview potential new hiresLoss PreventionOrder WritingInventory ControlEmployee TrainingBookkeepingPayrollHire/FireSupervise employees Racetrac #650 1703 S. Loop 288 Denton, TX 76208

(940) 380-1909July 2005 - August 2006

Supervisor: Steve Hart  Position: Certified Sales Associate SalesStocking productCleaningInventory ControlPromotions Public Awareness, INC.1108 Dallas Dr. Suite #302 Denton,

TX 76205 (940) 565-1133February 2004 – July 2005 Position: Telemarketer Scripted Cold Calling/TelemarketingSelling pledges for government

organizationsSold Time Warner cable University of North Texas Dining

Services: Kerr Hall Cafeteria929 W. Sycamore St. Denton, TX

76201 (940) 565-2036January 1997 – August 2001 / May

2003 – February 2004 Supervisor: Charlotte Spencer Position: Line Server/ Cook’s

Assistant Serving foodCleaning DishesAssist with food preparationStock FoodCheck out customers Tyler Junior College: Vaughn

Library1400 E. 5th St. Tyler, TX 75701 (903)

510-2503February 2002 – May 2003

Supervisor: Cynthia Deveraux Position: Librarian’s Assistant Stocked BooksCatalogue incoming new BooksCover & Security Strip booksDe-catalogue & delete old books   Experience:Research MethodsTechnical WritingComputer Science6 years in Retail & Sales5 years in Dining ServicesProblem Solving Organizations:TRIO 2001 – 2003Chi Theta Psi Sorority – Spring 2004National Society of Collegiate

Scholars – Fall 2010Rise for Special Children – Spring

2011National Association of Professional

Women – Summer 2011 Recognition:Dean’s List: Fall 2009, Spring 2010 Language Skill:English Computer Skills:Microsoft word/Excel/PowerPoint Personal:Volunteered Peer Mediation and

Counseling at Tyler Junior College

Tutored College Level History and English

Denton Community Theatre  I rate myself as hard working,

willing to assist, open to new ideas and ways of doing things. I consider myself a people person because I work well with others and in retail, customer service is top priority. I adapt efficiently to any given work atmosphere. I am always willing to learn. Innovation, communication, and being open minded are essentials to a successful career. I take opportunities available to progress within the company. I make the best of any given situation.

 References:Charlotte Spencer (940) 902-1639 Cameron Yates (972) 978-0423Chloe Merys (940) 595-1339Candice Williams (940) 435-8845 Lynda Nolen (214) 908-9878  

Reflection

Lifelong learning includes what was taught during childhood, which to me, was the fundamentals of manners, the importance of family, how to cook, and discipline. It takes discipline to stick to my study schedule and meet deadlines on time for class. It takes discipline to keep an open mind that can receive anything, however a closed mind, misses out on the opportunities that life has to offer.

New information and experiences pass by without a second glance, if one is not paying attention. Ignorance is ignoring what is out in the world. Dumb means you cannot know, whereas stupidity is the refusal to learn in spite of the awareness of knowledge. I can safely say that I always know more than I did the day before because I learn something new every day.

Lifelong learning, to me, starts with how a person perceives stimuli from trying new things. It is also taking part in your environment. Gaining knowledge is motivation to reap the benefit of reaching my goals.

I am a person who tries new things all of the

time, within reason, for fear of being left out. It is, to me almost an obsession. Lifelong learning for example, is the mystery of figuring out my favorite food by trying what is out there. Out of plethora of different types, I have a favorite in each category. I would have never known I liked sushi, specifically lightly smoked salmon and spicy tuna, or Mahi Mahi tacos if I had not bought some at the Taste of Addison Festival a few years ago.

Lifelong learning is to take part in my environment. Participating in activities such as, running for the position of parliamentarian for the Student Government Association my freshman year at Tyler Junior College allowed me to have new experiences. Although I was not in student council in high school, I was curious to know what it was like to represent and lead the student body. It has always been my passion to help and be social with people. It was so much fun traveling and meeting all kinds of new people from all over the U.S., as well as people from other countries like Brazil and France. I helped plan events that would expose the student population to different cultures and learn new ways of broadening educational horizons. Being a member of the SGA also helped me become an effective planner which is useful in keeping track of important dates and my time budget especially used for classes and study time here at Argosy Online. SGA also helped me become more versatile in my communication skills. The idea of politics ran its course after 9/11, but I learned a lot that will stay with me forever.

Lifelong learning is reaping the benefits of reaching goals, including career goals. I began working nights at 7 Eleven from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., 40 hours a week, making $8.50 while going to school full time. My grades suffered, so I decided to go to school part time to be able to slowly finish college and still pay my bills. The economy got worse, gas got more expensive, my hours were getting cut and I needed more money. I decided to take advantage of the 7 Eleven career path and started doing the extra training courses. Some were online and others were in a class room setting with other trainees. Each certification test I passed, I got a promotion and a raise. I got three raises within one year: certified sale associate, certified senior sales associate and finally assistant manager. I was determined to get what I needed. My internal locus of control is what is responsible for my willingness to get things done. My diligence has been cultivated by my triumphs and failures. A wise person once said, “The wisest man in the room is the one that has made the most mistakes.” That is the truth. Diligence is a key factor to a successful college career as far as studying and homework is concerned.

Lifelong learning is the foundation on which dreams can become a reality. It is about will power and the determination to succeed. I keep an open mind to learn what I need to be successful is college. Psychology is my passion because I love to help people, learn new ways to communicate with them, and influence good, healthy decisions. I want to plant ideas to help people get to know themselves and to take advantage of their own talents and capabilities. I want to be pleased with my reflection knowing that against all odds, I graduated. The internal locus of control is what keeps me focused on my main objective, by driving me to conquer my fear of math, and earn my place in my future studies and programs to be on the path to a master’s degree and become the best I can be as a high school guidance counselor.

My strengths are my unconditional love for the well being of people. No matter what the circumstances (within reason) are, I do my best to help them. My weakness is that I can be too trusting of people which from time to time have cost me some emotional pain. My courses at Argosy have taught me to be circumspect and use a degree of detachment when dealing with people. Listen with open ears all the while protecting myself by not letting them into my subconscious. Keep it all on the surface and feed people out of a figurative long handled spoon.

Table of Contents

Cognitive Abilities: Critical Thinking and Information Literacy

Research Skills– AGP M7_A2.pptx

Communication Skills: Oral and WrittenEthics and Diversity AwarenessFoundations of PsychologyApplied PsychologyInterpersonal Effectiveness AGP M6_A3.docx

Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking Cont.

• Everything I do starts with my son as a focus. If it had not been for him, I would not be graduating. He is my reason for pushing to myself to reach my goals.

• My critical thinking skills have many facets now because of my education. I can look at problem solving from other angles I never thought possible. Almost as if a veil has been lifted from my face.

My Future in Learning

I expect to learn something new everyday like I do now. Appling what knowledge I have gained during my education here at Argosy as well as fundamentals I have learned through life experiences along the way to help others understand what community really means. It’s a great wide world and I want to be apart of the solution to bring people closer together to love one another as God loves us. I hope I will be able to make an impact on at least individual and teach my son what it means to unconditionally love. My mind stays open to new ideas and ways of thinking.

ReferencesSushma PatelFranchise Owner7-Eleven Incorporated1629 W. University Drive(940) 566-2921

Charlotte BroadnaxSupervisorUniversity of North Texas Dining Services: Kerr Hall

Cafeteria422 Hancock StreetGainsville, TX 76240 (940) 665-9037

Bobby CoonrodPersonal ReferenceRetired Military800 Smokerise CircleDenton, TX 76205(940) 380-0570

Prudie ScottCook 4 BakeryUniversity of North Texas Dining Services: Bruce Hall

Cafeteria1504 San Gabriel DriveDenton, TX 76205 (940) 387-2731 Cameron Yates General Manager7-Eleven Incorporated701 Apollo DriveDenton, TX 76209(972) 978-0423 

Contact Me

Thank you for viewing my ePortfolio.

For further information, please contact me at the e-

mail address below. mcp7381@yahoo.com