1. Portfolio Project
B y : S t e p h a n i e S m i t h
Dr. Beth Russell
25 March 2016
Psychology
smith116262@students.reinhardt.edu
Academic Advisor
Submission Date
Major
Email Addresses

2. Annotated Table of Contents
Part I Page #
Courses……………………………………………………………………………….…………2-4
This section includes a list of all of the courses I have taken in the past as well as the
courses I am currently taking this semester. Each course is identified as a core, major/minor, or
elective course. Credit hours are listed. The nature of the course is also detailed. That is, I have
labeled the course as honors and/or given the course domain. I have also labeled any Special
Topics courses that have been taken. A copy of an unofficial transcript is included.
Part II
Updated Résumé………………………………………………………………………………......5
This section includes an updated résumé. It is modeled after the examples provided by
Mrs. Peggy Collins Feehery, Director of Career & Professional Development Services.
Part III
Personal Statement/ Cover Letter…………..…………………………………………...........…6-8
This section will include a personal statement that could potentially be sent to a graduate
school program. It will include items such as why I take an interest in Psychology and what I
have learned about the field, my anticipated career, and why the institution should give me the
opportunity to continue my education there. I have also included a cover letter to be sent to a job
company since I am not planning on going to graduate school immediately after graduation.
Part IV
Career Expectations…………………………………………………………………………....9-11
This section will include an explanation of my degree program, a statement of career and
personal goals as I currently see them, and a plan of action. The plan of action details the steps I
should take to reach my career goals.
Part V
Supporting Documentation………………………………………………………...................12-13
This section will include an example of how I would go about asking for a letter of
recommendation and a sample of a substantive academic project.

3. Stephanie B. Smith
932 Laurelwood Court 678.736.1491
Canton, Georgia 30115 stephbsmith93@gmail.com
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
SUMMARY: Psychology Major / Academic Scholar / Social and Behavioral
Sciences Club Member/ interested in careers in therapy or counseling.
Excellent work ethic, analytical, and organizational skills. Presented
research poster at Psychology Undergraduate Research Conference
(PURC). Goal-oriented individual interested in gaining experience in the
mental health services.
EDUCATION: Reinhardt University GPA: 3.97 Waleska, Georgia
Bachelor of Science in Psychology May 2016
Relevant Courses: Introduction to Psychology, Abnormal Psychology,
Professional Development in Psychology, Statistics for the Social and
Behavioral Sciences, Cell and Molecular Biology, Family Violence,
Human Sexualities, Qualitative Research Methods, Advanced Child
Development, Personality, Social Psychology
SKILLS:
 Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
 Social Media- Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
HONORS &
ACTIVITIES:
 Dean’s List Student, Reinhardt University (RU), 2012 – 2016
 Member, Reinhardt Honors Program, RU, 2012-2016
 Member, The Social and Behavioral Sciences Club, RU, 2014-2016
 Member, Alpha Chi, National College Honor Scholarship Society,
2015
 Member and Vice President, Pi Gamma Mu, Honor Society in the
Social Sciences, 2015-2016
PROJECTS AND
PRESENTATIONS:
 Presented research project titled Examining Stereotyping Effects on
Reading and Mathematics Performance at Georgia State University
(PURC) and Reinhardt’s Interdisciplinary Conference
 Currently conducting research for Qualitative Research Methods, titled
Dating Experiences Amongst Online Dating Users and Non-Users in
College and a study for Environmental Psychology on Recycling
WORK HISTORY: Crew Member, Wendy’s, 2015
Intern, Brain Evolutions, 2015

4. Personal Statement
By: Stephanie Smith
In the past, I always wanted to become a school teacher. Being a teacher was my ideal
career throughout middle school and into high school. I was going to be an education major in
college and learn how to become an elementary school teacher. However, my high school senior
project involving “assistant teaching” caused me to rethink this decision. My senior project made
me realize that I did not perform very well in front of students. I then became determined to find
another way in which I could use my knowledge to help other people. Through taking an Intro to
Psychology course at Reinhardt University, I found that I had a sincere interest in learning how
human beings behave and then discovering the reasons behind their behavior. At the time, I was
still an undecided major, so it seemed logical to follow this interest by pursuing Psychology at
Reinhardt. Now, I am a graduating Psychology major on the track towards becoming a therapist.
My desire to pursue a career in therapy is fueled most by two avenues. First, I have
always felt the need to help others. Helping other people is a passion that brings me great joy; it
allows me to realize my purpose in this world. Second, I have experienced events in my life that
have not only changed me, but shaped who I am today. Whether it was my parents’ near divorce,
my struggle with self-harm, or my grandmother’s death, I know I have dealt with my fair share
of battles. I do not mention these events to garner sympathy, but rather to show how these battles
have only made me a stronger and better person. They have made me realize that if I can help it,
I do not want to see anyone else suffer like I have. I want to become a therapist so that I can be
that positive light in other people’s lives. The person others can come to when there might not be
anyone else in their life who really wants to listen. I am aware that my schooling will help me to
accomplish my goal of becoming the best therapist I am capable of being.

5. Within the field of Psychology, I have developed a significant interest in human
development, both the normal and abnormal. It is within the abnormal, that I have formed an
interest in mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety. The fact individuals with a mental
illness have a chemical imbalance in the brain that affects their thought process and everyday
behavior sparks my intellectual interest. Also, taking the Life-span Developmental Psychology
course at Reinhardt has allowed me to learn so much about human development at various ages
and stages. Within this developmental course, studying the intellectual capabilities of humans,
different lifestyles and relationships, and identity formation has contributed to my fascination
with the subject. I am especially intrigued by the fact music plays a role in a teenager’s identity
formation, as music is another passion of mine. As a senior undergraduate, I have seen my own
interest in Social Psychology flourish as well. My overall goal is to further my knowledge and
experience in this field by conducting and presenting research projects during the remainder of
my time as an undergraduate student.
Once I have earned my Bachelor of Science in Psychology, it is of course my intention to
gain experience in the mental health services and then attend graduate school. I am highly aware
of the strong reputation your school and program upholds, which serves to strengthen my interest
in attending. I have dedicated much thought to how the knowledge, experiences, and skills I will
have acquired at your school will translate into the workplace. It is my hope you will give me the
opportunity to continue my academic studies at your institution.

6. Career Expectations:
Degree Program
The goal of the School of Mathematics and Sciences is to build both an understanding
and appreciation of classic and contemporary thought and research in the sciences. The School
explores the diverse and dynamic areas of modern science and includes students looking for
involvement in fields such as Biology, Mathematics, and Psychology. These students must be
skilled intellectually and creatively. Students in this School will become well-aware of theories
and techniques that can help them to function in society. The School prepares students for both
professional work and graduate schools and provides them with the opportunity to experience
research. The School of Mathematics and Sciences teaches all material within a framework of
social commitment and the liberal arts.
The degree program that I am a part of is the Psychology Program. In accordance with
the Reinhardt University website, the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Psychology is the second
most popular major in the nation. Psychology is the study of the biological, emotional, and social
bases for behavior. The major gives a highly useful source of data. It also has a perspective that
draws from fields such as education, social services, health, business, and the legal system.
In this program, students learn to apply scientific methods and data analysis techniques to
a number of human and non-human behaviors. An emphasis is also placed on the development of
academic skills. As a result, papers and oral presentations are often components of Psychology
courses. Psychology majors can enter various careers or choose to pursue graduate education in
the behavioral sciences or helping professions. One must note that the Psychology Program itself
is not a professional degree program. In other words, Reinhardt students do not receive training
as therapists, counselors, or mental health technicians.

7. Success in completing the objectives set in the Psychology major are measured by the
grade received in each course. Each course must be completed with a grade of a “C” or better.
Psychology majors are required to take courses like Psychology 101, Life-span Developmental
Psychology, and Statistics for the Social and Behavioral Sciences. In addition to courses and
assessment, Psychology students are offered the opportunity to participate in student research,
internships, the Social and Behavioral Sciences Club, and any social activities involving other
majors and faculty. The Psychology faculty includes the following individuals:
 Dr. Jacob Harney, Ph.D., Dean of School of Mathematics and Sciences, and
Professor of Biology
 S. Beth Russell, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Psychology
 Katrina Smith, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Psychology, and Program
Coordinator of Psychology
Career Expectations:
Statement of Career and Personal Goals
Currently, my goal is to pursue a career in therapy. I would like to become a therapist
who deals with issues such as relationships, anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses, as I
find them highly fascinating. My hope is to work with young adults and children since I do not
have much interest in dealing with adults. I would like to complete the necessary schooling to
attain this career and work on my personal goals simultaneously. Personally, I want to become
fully independent of my parents. I would like to have a job and afford a car of my own. I would
like to provide food, shelter, and clothing for myself as well. I hope I will be able to maintain at
least a few of the relationships that I have formed while at Reinhardt University and continue to
form new relationships as I go on in my life. Looking further into future, I would like to continue
building a future with my “soul mate” and have a family of my own.

8. Career Expectations:
Plan of Action
In order to reach my career goals, the following steps must be taken:
 Complete four years of study at Reinhardt University
 Graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology
 Gain job experience in the mental health services
 Attend and graduate from graduate school
 Pursue a career in therapy
In order to reach my personal goals, the following steps must be taken:
 Earn money from my job and use it wisely
 Keep in contact with friends after graduation
 Be open to meeting new people
 Participate in new things I have never done before!
Although these steps are few in number and not explicit, they serve as an outline for how
I can go about reaching both my career goals and personal goals. That is not to say that these
goals will be reached exactly as planned. There is always room for change and trial and error, in
my opinion. If I cannot complete any of these steps for any particular reason, an alternate route
will be devised. For example, if I am unable to attend graduate school, I will have to choose a
career—such as a school counselor—that is similar to my ultimate career choice, but does not
require a graduate’s degree.