1. Undergraduate Studies ePortfolio Carol Builes B.A Psychology, 20121

2. Personal StatementMy interests in Psychology stems from my military background. I have experienced first-hand what it is like to be in a combat zone. When I returned home, I could not understand why my best friend was getting a divorce, and why some of my colleagues could not sleep at night. Making known that one needed help was not acceptable and the fear of being labeled kept many from asking for such help.Upon completion of my first enlistment, I decided to attend college full time utilizing my GI bill. I started my undergraduate studies with general courses not certain in which category helping my friends fell under. Soon after I discovered that psychology was the field I wanted to be in. While participating in the work study program at my school, I served as a Veteran benefits advisor. My duties were to guide and assist other Veterans in obtaining their benefits and connecting them to the community resources as well as healthcare. This pilot program was so successful, that I was asked to present at a national level. Today, a national initiative has been launched to provide psychosocial services to Veteran students at higher learning institutions.I 3. I continue to this day to provide psychosocial services to Veterans. I am aVocational Rehabilitation Specialist with the Department of VeteranAffairs. I have been in this position for a year now and I have gainedinvaluable knowledge as a clinician as I serve Veterans who arediagnose with serious mental health illnesses, and/or have other mentalhealth diagnoses.My short term goal is to complete my Bachelors degree in Psychology. Iam scheduled to graduate in the month of June 2012. My psychologycourses have assisted immensely in my understanding of humanbehavior and have allowed better service for my clients. I would like tofurther my studies, and gain all the knowledge possible to provide thebest care possible to my clients. I plan to attend graduate school andobtain a Psychology Doctorate (Ph.D). I really enjoy assistingVeterans. I love more so, to become a Psychologist so I may assistthem to the best of my knowledge and capacity. 4. Resume Carol Builes540 Carillon Pkwy 3049, St. Petersburg, FL 33716Contact Phone: (910) 987 -8554 Email: carolbuiles@yahoo.comEXPERIENCE09/2010 to Present ; 40 hours per Week; Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist; GS-11-2; last promoted Not Specified; permanent employee; not on a temporary promotion; Department of Veterans Affairs, 10770 N 46st St. Tampa, FL 33617; Jayne Spencer , 813-610-3242 ; may contact supervisor.Currently serving as a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist with the Compensated Work Therapy Supported Employment (CWTSE) program, assisting Veterans with Serious Mental Illness (SMI) to return to competitive employment. Case Manager responsible for working to increase Veteran access to employment opportunities. Provides vocational services to Veterans whose employability or job adjustment is impaired by severe mental illness, homeless, impaired by drug/alcohol addictions, or PTSD. Finds suitable employment opportunities, monitors placements, and promotes successful adjustment. Also assists Veterans in expediting contacts with employers which can include direct consumer involvement, or advocacy on behalf of the clients, based on the treatment plan objectives. Develops strategies to engage Veterans who may be reluctant to actively pursue employment or risk a reduction of benefits. Determines any educational/training needs, which may be necessary in order to meet the Veterans vocational goals and objectives. Supports the Veterans in all work related tasks, including but not limited to: transportation, on the job training, dealing with co-workers and supervisors, and ongoing and continued clinical supports. Participates in job related training opportunities and collects and organizes data on Veterans as required. Uses specialized training and knowledge of professional interviewing techniques to assess specific vocational aptitudes, functioning, and vocational values and work readiness; utilizing individualized assessment skills to accommodate for the patients multiple and severe disabilities; counseling individuals with severe and multiple disabilities to develop mutually acceptable rehabilitation plans. Maintains duties of CWT Benefits Advisor.07/2009 to 08/2010; 30 hours per Week; Benefits Advocate; $11 per Hour; last promoted Not Specified; permanent employee; not on a temporary promotion; Compensated Work Therapy -AmeriCorps, 10770 N 46th St. Tampa, FL 33617 Suite A-400; Jayne Spencer , 813-610-3242 ; may contact supervisor. 5. Represented the Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) Program in identifying special needs Veterans who have not achieved adequate social-psychological-vocational readjustment as a result of their war-time/combat experience. Counseled Veterans (Active Duty, Reserve, National Guard) from all military services on basic eligibility and processing for a broad range of medical and compensation programs and benefits. Cultivated professional centers of influence within assigned college and community to promote visibility for Veterans Benefits while maintaining a positive image for the CWT Program. Identified counseling needs, to include clients exhibiting Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI), through tactful and effective interview techniques. Interacted with a broad range of individuals from various socio-economic classes and racial, ethnic backgrounds, and special populations such as Women Veterans and Disabled Veterans. Planned and coordinated outreach activities including public speaking, professional presentations, information booths, liaison with community and government agencies, and college newspaper interviews. Interviewed, counseled, and verified Veterans entitlements using various methods including review of military discharge documents. Provided assistance to special groups of Veterans: Seamless Transition; homeless Women Veterans, OIF/OEF, and other Veterans with enrollment in other services. Assisted all Veterans and Active Duty Service Members with transition, education, and employment counseling with all Federal, State, and local services as needed. Responsible for all branches of Hillsborough Community College in the Tampa Bay area.03/2009 to Present ; hours per Week; Motor Transport Operator; $15 per Hour; last promoted Not Specified; permanent employee; noton a temporary promotion; Florida Army National Guard, 2801 Grand Ave, Pinellas Park, FL 33782; 1SG Ortiz , 727-259-4563 ;may contact supervisor.Enlisted supervisor/squad leader. Responsible supervising and providing technical guidance to subordinates in accomplishing theirduties. Responsible for the health, welfare and development of ten soldiers. Assigned with the organization and supervision ofmilitary convoy operations and logistics. In charged of dispatching vehicles, verifying vehicle logbooks, filling and receivingrequests from authorized military personnel for motor transport. Developed new training strategies in addition to the pre-existingstandard operation procedures (SOP). Trained new upcoming soldiers in the operation and maintenance of Palletized LoadingSystems (PLS), Load Handling Systems(LHS), High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV or Humvee)to include self-recovery. Served as the Unit Prevention Leader (UPL) in implementing the Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP).10/2005 to 02/2009; 40 hours per Week; Motor Transport Specialist; $13 per Hour; last promoted Not Specified; permanent employee; not on a temporary promotion; US Army, Fort Bragg, NC; SFC Pettus , 910-9877688 ; may not contact supervisor.Heavy Wheeled Vehicle Operator for a distribution platoon in the 407th Brigade Support Battalion supporting the 2nd Brigade Combat Team in the 82nd Airborne Division to deploy worldwide within 18 hours of notification. During Operation Iraqi Freedom OIF 06-08 responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of M1075 with M1076 trailer system valued at $300,000. Responsible for the Pre- Combat Checks and Inspections of all Deliberate Convoy Logistics Patrols (D-CLP). Responsible for the health, welfare and development of five soldiers. Supervised the emplacement of over 14,000 barriers during Operation Adamiyah reducing the violence by 60% throughout the Baghdad area. Conducted more than 500 Combat Logistics Patrols. Maintained accountability of all assigned vehicles worth over $350,000 dollars with no loss of equipment and maintained a 90% readiness rate at all times 6. 02/2002 to 07/2005; 40 hours per Week; Customer Service Representative; $8 per Hour; last promoted Not Specified; permanent employee; not on a temporary promotion; Yum Corporations, Riverside, CA; Sheila Reynoso , 951-6818596 ; may contact supervisor.Handle customer inquiries, complaints, billing questions and payment extension/service requests. Calm angry callers, repair trust,locate resources for problem resolution and design best-option solutions. Interface daily with internal partners in accounting, fieldservices, new business, operations and consumer affairs divisions .Handle customer inquiries, complaints, billing questions andpayment extension/service requests. Calm angry callers, repair trust, locate resources for problem resolution and design best-option solutions. Interface daily with internal partners in accounting, field services, new business, operations and consumer affairsdivisions. Managed a high-volume workload within a deadline-driven environment. Resolved an average of 550 inquiries in anygiven week and consistently met performance benchmarks in all areas (speed, accuracy, volume).Became the lead "go-to"person for new reps and particularly challenging customers as one of the companys primary mentors/trainers of both new andestablished employees. Completed voluntary customer service training to learn ways to enhance customer satisfaction andimprove productivity. Recognized as "#1 Customer Service Rep" (out of 20 reps in store) and Customer Service Member of theQuarter among division.EDUCATIONRubidoux, Riverside, CA; 2005 High School DiplomaArgosy University, Tampa, FL; Bachelor in B.A Psychology , 2012; 3.8 out of 4 Point GPA; 21 Semester HoursUniversity of Tampa, Tampa, FL; No Degree in B.A Psychology , 2010; 3.2 out of 4 Point GPA; 30 Semester HoursHillsborough Community College, Tampa, FL; No Degree in A.A Liberal Arts , 2009; 3.4 out of 4 Point GPA; 54 Semester HoursPROFESSIONAL TRAININGVarious Military Leadership and Management Seminars and Courses, -US Army, US Army Florida National Guard Oct 2005 - PresentNon-commissioned officer Leaders Course, Dec 2009Annual Training Seminars-Ethics, Alcohol and Drug Awareness, Sexual Harassment Prevention, First Aid, Equal Opportunity, U.S.Army, Oct 2005 - PresentPROFESSIONAL RATINGS, AWARDS, AND RECOGNITIONSCurrently serving as Staff Sergeant Florida Army National Guard.Received numerous awards and recognition for extraordinary efforts and consistently exceeding the Armys mission. 7. OTHER INFORMATIONProficient in Spanish language.U.S. MILITARY SERVICE INFORMATIONActive Duty: 10/2005 to 02/2009 - U.S. ArmyReserve Duty: 03/2009 to 02/2012 - U.S. ArmyCampaign badges and/or expeditionary medals received: Awarded Army Commendation Medal with "V" device for Valor, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (2nd Award), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal w/campaign Star, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, Army Good Conduct Medal.. Honorable DischargeReferencesJarred Miller, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)Department of Veterans Affairs10770 N 46th St, Tampa, FL 33617Jarred.miller@va.gov813-610-5316Jayne Spencer, CWT Program DirectorDepartment of Veterans Affairs10770 N 46th St, Tampa, FL 33617Jayne.spencer@va.gov813-610-3242 8. ReflectionMy journey at Argosy University was short-lived but memorable. I had previous college credits and transferring to Argosy to complete my degree, has been a notable life-learning experience. To complete my degree, I attended Argosy 1.5 years. While I understood the challenges and struggles of being a college student from my previous courses, it was not until I attended Argosy that I truly understood what time management skills meant. I have also learned fascinating psychological theories, and have acquired a better understanding of human behavior.As I culminate my studies at Argosy, I am certain that helping others in a clinical capacity is what I would love to do. Continuing my studies will bring about new challenges that I am confident that I have learned the skills needed to effectively resolve. 9. Table of ContentsCognitive Abilities: Sallys Case Study, Physiological Psychology, 2011Research Skills: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder among Combat Veterans, Research Methods, 2011Communication Skills: ASP100 Skills for Success course! (Flyer) 2011Ethics and Diversity Awareness: Mental Health Counselor Case Study, Ethics & Diversity, 2011Foundations of Psychology: Child Abuse in Homes of Substance Abusers, Substance Abuse, 2011Applied Psychology: Ban of Cell Phone use in the U.S, Cognitive Psychology, 2011Interpersonal Effectiveness: PSR Supported Education, Power Point presentation, 2011 10. Critical Thinking Cognitive AbilitiesSallys Case StudyPSY 350 Physiological PsychologyCarol Builes 11. Research SkillsPost Traumatic Stress Disorder among Combat Veterans, PSY 302 Research Methods Carol Builes 12. Communication SkillsASP 100 Skills for Success Flyer 2011 13. Ethics and Diversity AwarenessMental Health Counselor Case StudyPSY 430 Ethics in PsychologyCarol Builes 14. Foundations of PsychologyChild Abuse in Homes of Substance Abusers PSY 481Substance AbuseCarol Builes 15. Applied PsychologyBan of Cell Phone use in the U.SPSY 363 Cognitive Psychology Carol Builes 16. Interpersonal EffectivenessPsychosocial Rehabilitation Supported Education Carol Builes Presentor atVeterans Health Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Post TraumaticStress (PTSD) and US-JapanUS-Japan Goodwill "Meeting of the Minds" Conference Waikiki, Hawaii, November 8th, 2011 17. My Future in LearningMy immediate goal as a lifelong learner is to finish my graduate studies. Academically, this would mean the pinnacle of my studies. In reality, learning never stops. I envision my future full of happiness. Helping others understand their behaviors and how to manage with their diagnosis, so they too are happy. I am a firm believer that there is no such thing as a failure, but rather another opportunity to learn from the experience and make the best of it. 18. Contact Me Thank you for viewing my ePortfolio. For further information, pleasecontact me at the e-mail addressbelow.carolbuiles@yahoo.com