The document outlines the author's personal values including loyalty, love, consideration, compassion, responsibility, dedication, respect, and lifelong learning. It then provides examples of how the author has demonstrated these values through volunteer work with cancer patients, military service, and various jobs working with and helping people. The author's education background in criminal justice and social services is also summarized.

1. Principles I Try to Live by
Jason Graefen
SSMH 215-Arnold
Code of Ethics
April 20, 2007
My Values
Loyalty is an important value to me because I believe it helps build a strength and bond
with those who are close to me. I have in the past broken my loyalty to someone who has
wronged me but what I have learned and continue to learn is that people deserve second
chances.
Love this has been a value that I have longed for but found it very hard to have without
reservation because of the lack of trust. I feel that there are few people in this world that I
love but I am opening up myself more too growing love for other people.
Consideration this value is important in my life because as a child my feelings were not
considered. I learned that I did not want to be cold or mean to other people because I know
what it feels like. I try every day to make sure that I am considerate of others personalities,
and feelings.
Compassion I believe that there is great pain and hardship in other people’s lives without
compassion for them I would be a cold and hard individual. It is important to my own
development in life to be understanding and helpful to other people who need it. I try to see
the real hardships in others and do what I can to help.
Responsibility This is the most powerful Value for me to live up too. I believe that I am a
responsible person but will continue to have to prove this through out my life. I think that
responsibility gives me a stronger spirit and makes me a stronger person. I have learned
that in order to be a true person I must take responsibility not only for the good things in
my life but also the mistakes I make.
Dedication this value represents not only a path but a tool for me to use in obtaining my
goals. I know that I am dedicated one hundred percent to any thing I start. I have a strong
sense of wanting to complete my path and helping others to do the same.
Respect this value is my second strongest value. I believe that respect is very important to
building a good relationship with anyone both personally and professionally. I know that in
my life I have not always shown respect but I do continue to make sure that I am trying.
Life learning I have always believed that I never stop learning in any endeavor I partake
in. I make it my mission to learn something from every situation, person, group, or subject I
come in contact with. I think life is a never ending teacher and I value
In a class on professional ethics for social service workers I was
required to write a paper on my personal ethics and what they mean
to me. As part of that paper I had to write my values and why they
are important in my life. This assignment allowed me to dig deep
into my moral core and draw out what is most important to me.
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2. Thank You!
During my training with the San Diego Job Corp I volunteered with
The American Cancer Society’s “Daffodil Days” event. The
event was held to raise money for children with leukemia. In a two
day period My team was responsible for counting, packaging, and
selling daffodils to customers.
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3. Honor and Integrity
Honor and Integrity are important skills needed in the workforce. During my
time as a U.S. Soldier I promoted through the ranks to Sergeant, deployed to
Iraq, participated in continued military education, and received my highest
medal for dedication and hard work.
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4. Community and Work
Based Education
I have earned certificates of various disciplines
in both academics and community based
4
education.

5. Working with People
U. S. Soldier
2004-2007
Loss Prevention
Officer
2007-2009
Community Support
Specialist
2009-2010
Substitute Para educator
2010
Events Coordinator
2011
In my employment history I have helped people through 5
intervention, supervision, guidance, and motivation for change.

6. Education
I attended the Pierce College Social Service/ Mental Health Program for an 6
Associates Degree and graduated June 2010.The degree emphasizes: Law
and Ethics in counseling, Interviewing and Assessment, a 120HR work based
internship and additional emphasis in Criminal Justice.

7. Interviewing and Assessment
In the Social Service Mental Health program one of the course requirements is a class
on assessing and interviewing clients or patients. This class has taught me the 7
fundamental skills of how to facilitate a counseling session, practice the intake
process, and understand micro skills application.

8. Background In Criminal Justice
I have worked closely with the Criminal Justice System. I completed the
Criminal Justice Program at Pierce College December of 2008, the
certificate emphasizes course work in: Introduction to the Criminal Justice
System, Corrections, Juvenile Justice, Ethics, Policing, Issues in Criminal
Justice, Criminal Investigation, Fundamentals of Criminal Law, Constitutional 8
Rights of Prisoners, and a 120 hour work-based internship.

9. Logistics
During my time in the Army I completed the Unit Supply Course at the Quarter
Master School in Fort Lee Virginia. The certificate emphasizes:
Inventory management, shipping and receiving, property management,
Purchasing, and weapons management. 9