(1a.) Assignment 3: Professional Portfolio—Resume/Vitae and list of References
For this assignment, you will submit the first document to be included in your Professional Portfolio: Your resume (if you are seeking employment immediately upon graduation) or your curriculum vitae (if you are applying to graduate school). At the end of the document, you should include a list of at least three references to whom you intend to send a letter requesting a reference/recommendation, you can also submit your transcripts, but these documents are optional.
Resume/Vitae
Update your resume (if you are seeking employment immediately upon graduation) or your curriculum vitae (if you plan to apply to graduate school). Try to tailor it to your specific goal. In other words, keep the resume focused on how your skills apply to the work force and keep the curriculum vitae focused on your academic goals.
You must also identify three potential references to whom you intend to send a letter requesting a reference/recommendation, with their contact information provided (name, address, e-mail address, and/or telephone number). These can be current or former professors, employers, supervisors, etc. For each reference, specify how that person is familiar with your academic or job performance. A sample Reference List is available at: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/637/1/
To find tips on writing and organizing resumes, and other aspects of a career search or graduate school admission, search the EBSCO database for both résumé and the curriculum vitae guidelines.
What is the distinction between the resume and the CV? Go to the EBSCO database and search for: “Resume or vita? What’s the difference?”
You may want to visit the Psi Chi International Honor Society in Psychology Website’s page, “The Curriculum Vita: A Student’s Guide to Preparation” at:http://www.psichi.org/?092EyeWin05dLandrum. The article outlines the required sections of the vitae and provides an image of a sample vitae (click on the links to Figure 1 within the text of the “Sections of the CV” paragraph to view the sample).
(1b). Assignment 4: Review Paper—Topic Proposal & Reference Page by Wednesday, September 2, 2015.
The purpose of this assignment is to provide you with the opportunity to select a topic in the particular area in which you have an occupational or research interest, and to locate a minimum of ten scholarly references. A helpful Web site for organizing and writing a literature review iswww.wisc.edu/writing/Handbook/ReviewofLiterature.html.
You may also want to review the following documents that are available in the Doc Sharing area of the course:
- A sample literature review,
- a PowerPoint document illustrating how to set up your word processor for APA style
- a “Guide for Writing a Literature Review”
- a PowerPoint tips document
Topic Proposal
Write one to two paragraphs (a) summarizing the problem area (be specific in defining the problem), (b) describing what you already know about the topic, and c) why you have chosen this topic for your literature review. The topic should apply psychological research to an individual, organizational, or social problem. Include a working title and the objective of the paper.
Reference Page
Search for literature on your selected topic and create a Reference Page containing at least 10 scholarly references. A good way to begin searching for relevant literature is to search for key words related to your topic in a research database. Narrow your search to articles in peer-reviewed journals. Another good idea is to check the list of References at the end of an article to find other relevant work. If you have any questions about this part, please feel free to set up an appointment with your instructor or ask the librarian. You will create a reference page for your literature review paper in an appropriate APA style. Your resources must come from scholarly, peer-reviewed journals or books. No Internet resources may be used here.
(2a.) Behavioral Theorists
Post your response to the question below with at least 300 words in the Discussion Area by Saturday,September 5, 2015. Cite information from at least one academic source, such as your textbook or an article from the Argosy Online Library, to support your statements. Use current APA standards to properly cite your source(s).
Pavlov, Watson, and Skinner are considered the originators of behaviorism. All contributed to learning theory. All three of the researchers studied the effects of the environment on learning.
Select one of the three behaviorists who, in your opinion, offers the most compelling argument for the use of behaviorism when teaching a new subject to an adult and to a child. Identify that behaviorist, then answer the following questions about his approach:
- Describe how that behaviorist would teach an adult a new skill. Be specific; what is the skill?
- What steps would the behaviorist use?
- Would that behaviorist use a different approach with a child?
- Why do you think this behaviorist’s approach is best?
- What issues or problems do you find in the other two behaviorists’ approaches?
(2b.) Professional Portfolio—Personal Statement/Cover Letterby Wednesday, September 9, 2015.
For this assignment, you will submit the second document to be included in your Professional Portfolio: Your personal statement or a cover letter. As you near completion of your undergraduate education, you have probably been reflecting on your personal and professional development and goals. Summarizing so much personal information on paper is not easy, but it’s important. Many employers complain that in interviews and job applications, students do not seem to know how to articulate the skills and strengths that they bring to the job.
In preparation for writing the personal statement/cover letter, review Dr. Margaret A. Lloyd’s Web site at: http://www.psywww.com/careers/index.htm. Learn what you can do with your bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Determine if you will pursue graduate school or employment upon graduation. Note choices that seem to apply to you and why. If more than one, rank these choices. Describe any concerns you might have regarding your interests. What level of education will you need to pursue? Have you taken any previous courses or trained in this area? These links in particular should be helpful:
- Exploring your abilities, interest, skills, & valueswww.psywww.com/careers/explore.htm#top
- Graduate School Options: www.psywww.com/careers/options.htm
- Entry-Level Positions www.psywww.com/careers/entry.htm
For this assignment, find a graduate program (if you are preparing your Professional Portfolio with the Graduate School focus) or a job opening that you would like to apply to (if you are preparing your Professional Portfolio with the Employment focus). Look up the details for the application requirements, and tailor your personal statement/cover letter to these specific graduate school/job requirements.
Personal Statement (for those with the Graduate School focus)
This essay may be the single most influential component of a graduate school application. The statement you write for this portfolio gives you a forum for presenting yourself to the admissions committee, scholarship committee, and others who want to know something about you.
In preparation for writing the statement, read the document “Preparing Personal Statements” at: http://www.creighton.edu/soar/preparingapps/statements/. Here are a few of their suggestions:
- find and use your voice
- use concrete examples of what you’ve done
- avoid generalizations, such as “I’m good with people”
- proofread and edit (and ask others to proofread and make suggestions about) your statement to be sure it is free of grammatical and typographical errors, and informal language, “I’m okay with sciences but weak in math”
Cover Letter (for those with the Employment focus)
A cover letter is a way to introduce yourself to a potential employer. This letter should include details about yourself and why you feel you are qualified for the position. Summarize your undergraduate experiences, your strengths and weaknesses, the reasons you are applying and how they will help you meet your professional goals.
Write a cover letter to a prospective employer. The letter, which should accompany your resume, should summarize why you are interested in the job and what qualifications and skills make you an ideal candidate or match for the position. Limit your letter to one page.
Follow this link for advice on writing a cover letter:http://www.uwec.edu/ORSP/IRB/about/submit/Cover-Letter.htm.
