2. PERSONAL STATEMENT As I entered into high school and was about to graduate, I came across the Criminal Justice program that was offered at the community college here in Illinois. My academic advisor asked me why did I want to get into the Criminal Justice field, and I simply stated because I feel that there are a lot of innocent people behind bars serving time for a crime that they didn’t commit. What fascinated me the most about this program was the curriculum that was being offered. They had a Chemistry 108 class that was called Forensic Science. Now this was something that caught my attention, because not only were you going to be able to participate in an autopsy of a dead individual, you were also analyzing the toxins that were entered into this person’s body. Numerous students in the class either got sick or couldn’t get past the smell and walked out, but since it was “cool” to be there and look at an actual dead body and locate bullet wounds, substances, and other interesting thing, it inspired me to keep focused in this class. After graduating from Parkland College with my Associate’s in Criminal Justice, I transferred to Western Illinois University, only to have stayed there for two semesters, but had to withdraw due to a personal health issue within the family. Time passed before getting back into school. A few years later, I went back to pursue my Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice through Kaplan University, but yet again a few issues caused me to get kicked out the program. The first issue was the fact that I had to transfer to another job in another city, and then that job ended up getting destroyed due to a tornado tearing it apart, and on top of that, I found out that I was carrying my son. So no job, no income, and pregnant, I was completely distracted from my studies, so I withdrew. The following year tried it again, but there was another issue, my son ended up burning his arm on my space heater, and I had to miss work for a month and a half to take care of my son, and with everything that was going on at that time, my mind wasn’t focused on work or school, so I ended up failing in school, and eventually got kicked out of my program. It wasn’t until May of 2009 that I got accepted into Argosy University into the Psychology program with a concentration in Forensics. So far everything has been real nice, even though there was a few bumps in the road, but overall, everything has fallen into place. Once I finish with my undergrad studies in March of 2011, I plan on entering the Master’s Program through Argosy University in the second semester of Spring. I plan to enroll in the Forensic Psychology program, due to the fact that there is so many knowledgeable things to be learned, and from all the previous classes that I have taken for undergrad, the grad program would be something that could encourage me to strive for what I’ve overcame. The reason for wanting to pursue my education a little bit higher than just the Bachelor’s degree is because, people in my family have always thought that I wouldn’t amount to anything, nor would I complete what I’ve already started, and I decided that I am going to prove them wrong. Besides working at a gas station as an assistant manager is something that is not suitable to me. It’s a job, but it’s not a career, and that is something that most people desire later on down the road, which is a career. So if going to school and learning more and pushing yourself more, can lead you to a better career and a better future without living from paycheck to paycheck, then do something to improve what you are doing.
3. RESUME Renee McCray 1122 W Bradley Ave., Il 61821Mobile Phone: 912-548-9404 E-mail: Dreanama@yahoo.com________________________________________ OBJECTIVE I am an individual that is willing to put forth the effort of hard work. I am the type of individual that is reliable, dependable, and sociable. I have excellent communication skills. I have a typing speed of 40-50 wpm. I am a dedicated hardworking individual that knows how to multi-task and get the work done efficiently and accurately. I love interacting with the public and being able to accommodate them to the best of my ability.
4. WORK EXPERIENCE 10/2010 - present Colonial Pantry Champaign IL Cashier Customer service, inventory, and stocking. 1/2004 - presentLaw Office of Harvey C. Welch Urbana, IL Administrative AssistantMaintaining confidentiality, A/P, A/R, answering phones, organizing files in alpha-numerical order, secretarial work, typing, xeroxing, scheduling appointments, and running errands. 3/2008 - 04/2009 Country Inn and Suites | Champaign, IL Sales Agent Customer Service, data-entry, hospitality, and sales HONORS AND AWARDS Country Inn and Suites- Employee of the Quarter 04/2008-06/2008, 07/2008-09/2008, and 01/2009-03/2009 Award for Outstanding Achievement in Top 20 Gold Points Plus Enrollments for Country Inn and Suites 10/2008 Front Desk 9/2006 - 4/2008 Hampton Inn Urbana, IL Customer service, data-entry, sales, and hospitality Night Auditor 10/2005 - 3/2006 Comfort Inn | State:ILCustomer service, sending out reports, data entry, sales, and hospitality.
5. EDUCATION Bachelor’s Degree Psychology (Forensic) 05/2009 – 3/2011 Argosy University Online Associate Degree Criminal Justice 8/2001 – 5/2003 Parkland College | Champaign, IL
6. REFLECTION While being here at Argosy University, I have learned a lot from the professors as well as the students that I have shared a class or two with in the past. Argosy University has taught me how to prioritize my time with my studies, as well as helping me to the use the knowledge that I have obtained in these classes in everyday situations. There has been times when I’ve been stressed out due to a lot of homework, employment, and parenting, that there was a time that I wanted to give up everything. However, I came to Argosy for a reason and that was to finish what I’ve started. Thanks to the teachers, staff, and students, I’ve learned how to better myself, and express myself more effectively and professionally.
7. Things that I’ve learned Cognitive abilities Research skills: Communication skills Ethics & Diversity awareness. Knowledge of foundations of the field: Knowledge of applied psychology: Interpersonal Effectiveness: ** please look at my linked in profile** http://linkedin.com/ReneeMcCray
8. Future In Learning While taking classes through Argosy University, it has inspired me to keep on learning. As the old saying goes “Knowledge is Power” and this is what I plan on doing. I plan on having the power of expanding my vocabulary and enhancing the knowledge from past classes and apply it towards my future. Some people say that education is for dummies, well I must be a dummy then, because I want to expand my education. There are a lot of new things that you can acquire on an everyday basis, and with me wanting to continue on with my education, I will learn more new things that will excite me, and help me to become a better person throughout life.
9. Conclusion Thank you for viewing my e-portfolio, if you want to know more about me, please feel free to use the information on my resume or you can email me at either one of the email addresses: Dreanama@yahoo.com Rmccray82@gmail.com
