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Program of Study RationaleBrandi SotoBachelor of Science InProfessional Studies

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Bachelor of Science In Professional Studies I chose to obtain a degree in the Bachelor of

Science in Professional Studies because it fulfills my unique needs. Since this degree is offered completely online, I am able to reach my educational goals without being constricted due to location. Furthermore, this degree satisfies my desire to fulfill a job position in the management or human resources field. Once my degree is completed, I intend on working for the United States Department of Defense. A degree in the Bachelor of Science in Professional Studies provides the necessary requirements for me to do so.

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Academic ExperienceGeneral

Education

ENGL 1010, 1020, 2210, 2630, 4100

CSCI 1100 INFS 1010 PSYC 1310 PSYC 3305 PHIL 201 PSY 3590 BGSD 2100, 2200,

2300 SOCI 4510

Management and Leadership

SPCH 1010 COMM 4410 PM 4120 ENTC 3030 MGMT 3610 MGMT 4547 BMGT 3630

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General Education I have always enjoyed taking a variety of courses that teach different and unique aspects of life. Learning the most basic foundation of education such as reading, writing, and speaking is essential for my educational and professional careers. Additionally, taking courses that offers unique courses that allow me to learn about topics I would not have access to the real world is also essential in expanding my overall knowledge. In combination, the general education courses that I have taken at ETSU have prepared me for a job with the United States Department of Defense.

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ENGL 1010, 1020, 2210, 2630, 4100:

These courses taught me the basic reading and writing skills that is required to obtain higher education and careers. ENGL 1010 taught me the foundation writing and reading skills that were needed to obtain higher education. ENGL 1020 taught me how to think critically. In ENGL 2210, I learned how to read, interpret, and write British Literature. Additionally, ENGL 4100 has given me the skills to write in professional fields.

With these ENGL courses combined, I have gained a great deal of knowledge that has benefited me during my educational career and will follow me through my future job career. I will apply the skills learned in these ENGL courses on a daily basis in a professional field. Due to everything that I have learned in these courses, I will be able to write and read effectively, as well as understand complicated writing, and write effectively in technological situations.

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CSCI 1100: Using Information Technology

This course taught me the necessary computer skills needed to work with computers. In the society that we live in today, it is essential to know the basics about computers and how to use them. This course taught me the skills that I needed to take higher educational courses, online courses, and will ultimately be a significant necessity for working in the professional field once I have completed my degree. In any job field, it is typically required to work with computers, and this is even more so when working with the Department of Defense.

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INFS 1010: Introduction to Microsoft Communication

Application This course taught me how to use Microsoft

Office programs including Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint. Having a basic understanding of commonly used Microsoft Office programs is essential for completing my degree at ETSU, but it is also essential for working for any company that requires basic computer knowledge. I feel confident that this course has provided me with the communication skills and technological skills needed to work at the Department of Defense.

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PSYC 1310:Introduction to Psychology

This course taught me the elementary building blocks for the social science psychology. I learned a lot about my self in this course, as well as about others that are different than me. This course will help me understand why people act or behave in the way they do, which will help me be a great leader.

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PSYC 3305: Learning and Memory

This course taught me how human beings learn and how memory works. I learned that not everyone learns in the same way, and that some individuals memory is better than others. This course has suited me with the skills necessary to manage others and shape the way I lead them due to differences that may appear in how they learn or remember. This is a great course that prepared me for future courses that I have taken at ETSU, and also for social interactions I experience daily.

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PHIL 201:Introduction to World Religions In this course, I learned about a variety of

different religions from around the globe. This course taught me the details for different religions, what followers believe, and how they differ. By working at the Department of Defense, I am most likely to experience an array of individuals with different religions. In preparation, this course has helped me develop a sound understanding of most global religions.

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PSY 3590:Psychology of Personality

This course taught me about abnormal personalities, personality disorders, how personalities differ, and how to handle unique personalities. This course taught me a great deal about my own personality and the personalities of others around me. Also, this course prepared me for working with individuals who have personality disorders. I have gained significant information from this course that has helped me when taking other courses, and it will also help me in the future to understand the actions of others when working for the Department of Defense.

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BGSD 2100, 2200, 2300:Successful Online Learning,

Multimedia Presentation, and Building E-Portfolios

These courses have taught me essential computer skills that are necessary for future success. In BGSD 2100, I learned how to effectively maneuver online courses. In BGSD 2200, I was taught skills that will help me become a better presenter in the form of oral presentations and PowerPoint presentations. In BGSD 2300, that I am currently taking, I will learn how to build a complete e-portfolio.

In combination of all three courses, I have learned the essential skills that are needed to use computers, computer programs, and adjust to the new technological age. In order for me to be successful at the Department of Defense, I will utilize all the skills that I have learned in these courses. These courses have provided me with the strengths to compete effectively and lead effectively at the Department of Defense.

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SOCI 4510: Introduction to Social Research This course has taught me the foundation for

understanding social phenomena. Not only did I learn how to use scientific theories and methods in this course, I also learned how to evaluate and conduct research. Due to the constant use of academic sources, I acquired a solid understanding how to locate, interpret, and analyze credible sources.

This course also taught me how to write a research proposal, create questionnaires, and organize a research study. These skills will be very beneficial for me in a career, especially with the Department of Defense. I will be able to efficiently do research if need be, create surveys, and also be able to write different types of proposals. This course has given me the opportunity to look at sociology in a unique but very interesting way that will remain with me throughout the future.

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Management and Leadership I enjoy the management and leadership

positions that many jobs offer for the Department of Defense. I enjoy leading others and working together to complete large and complicated projects. A job with the Department of Defense will allow me to enjoy these aspects of my career as well satisfy my personal goals.

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SPCH 1010: Fundamentals of Speech Communication This course taught me the fundamentals of

effectively communicating through speech. I learned how to be a better public speaking in this course. This course made me go outside my comfort zone and speak in front of groups of people. This course has equipped me with critical skills that will be needed to work at the Department of Defense. I will be able to communicate effectively in front of employees who I will lead, and also be able to publicly speak.

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COMM 4410: Conflict Resolution and Negotiation This course taught me how to handle and

manage conflicts and how to negotiate effectively. In this course, I learned a lot about myself in regards to how I handled confrontations in the past, and how I needed to improve to become a better communicator. The skills that I learned in this course will allow me to lead and manage others much better because when inevitable conflict's arise, I am prepared to handle them in a professional and positive matter.

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PM 4120: Organizational Theory and Behavior

This course taught me about organizational theories and organizational behaviors. I learned about the different theories that exist about organizations, how they are similar and different, and how different theories apply to different situations. I also learned about how organizations behave, in regards to employees and management. With any job that is part of an organization, this course has given me the background knowledge on how organizations work. With this knowledge, I can be prepared and knowledgeable about the job I want at the Department of Defense. Additionally, the information learned in this course will also benefit how I manage and lead.

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ENTC 3030: Technical Communication

In this course, I learned how to communicate with technology. I completed resumes, proposals, presentations, and cover letters in this course, which will be very beneficial in preparing these documents in the future. I can use this skills to prepare for the job that I hope to obtain at the Department of Defense. Also, I can use these skills to perform hiring task if I obtain a job in the human resourcing department.

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MGMT 3610:Principles of Management and

Organizational Behavior In this course, I was taught how to manage and

the behavior of employees and managers. This course made me reflect on how I thought I would manage in the future, and what I could do to improve my management skills. Likewise, this course also made me reflect on past experiences with managers, and which ones I felt were great and ones that were not. This course has helped me become a more efficient manager and stronger leader.

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MGMT 4547:Corporate Etiquette

This course has taught me how I should behave in the business setting. I have learned a lot about how to apply new skills including dining, communicating, and presenting in different settings. I have gained incredible knowledge about how to act professionally that I did not know prior to taking this course. This course has equipped me with the proper etiquette skills to succeed in the professional world.

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BMGT 3630:Human Resources Management This course taught me the

principles of being a human resources manager. I was required to complete a 5o slide PowerPoint presentation analyzing the Starbucks Corporation. I learned a great deal on how to conduct research, all aspects that go into a company, and how to construct a large presentation of the information. This course has taught me how to be a better presenter and a human resource manager.

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General Education and Management/Leadership

A position at the Department of Defense will require general education, management skills, and appropriate leader characteristics. The courses that I obtained at East Tennessee State University have helped me develop a solid general knowledge base, and helped me become a strong leader and efficient manager. This knowledge will be useful for obtaining my career at the Department of Defense.