Wednesday, July 28, 2010

SCHMIDT TOBAR

KELLI

(801)836-5245
KelliTobar@gmail.com

OBJECTIVE

Entry-level position utilizing education and training in Psychology

EDUCATION
Utah Valley University, Orem, UT
Bachelor of Psychology, September, 2011

INTERNSHIPS AND VOLUNTEER WORK
Spring 2008
Boys and Girls Club or Utah County Provo, Ut
Childcare Volunteer
Supported the childcare function for families in need of daycare assistance.

RELEVANT COURSEWORK

Juvenile Delinquency Social Psychology
Children and Family Services Abnormal Psychology
Information Technology and the Human Services
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

2005-present
Tobar Photography Orem, Ut
Owner-photographer/designer
•Photograph weddings and special events
•Design invitations, collages and announcements
•Work with clients on details of each project
•Designed business cards and logos

2008-2010 Utah County Health Dept Provo, Utah
Helped children maintain a healthy, active, anti-tobacco lifestyle, also worked with faculty on health related topics.
Elementary school mentor

2007-2008 Discovery Academy Provo, Ut
Worked with at risk adolescents on a daily basis. Took them out on activities, spent time getting to know them and helping them with problems. Made sure they attended school class, and also that those who needed medication were taking it. Worked day shifts as well as overnight.
Youth Mentor
My name Is Kelli Schmidt, I’m a senior at Utah Valley University majoring in Psychology. I was born and raised in Utah. I have 3 young children and have been married for 10 years. I plan to become a counselor and work with children. I love my field of study and can’t wait to gain all the experience possible to make all the difference in the world of a child. I have gained a lot experience working with children over the past few years, as a mother, mentor, church nursery leader, nanny, and volunteer. I have been told I am very understanding and patient and that children love me. I’m a hard worker, dependable and work well with others. I’m a fast learner and put my time and effort into each and every project I start.

Outline
1. History
2. Goals
3. Qualities


4 things I learned
1 Send a thank you note
2.Look presentable
3.Firm handshake
4.Ask questions
After looking over my career plan from the beginning of the semester I learned there are a couple things I need to add to my list. I would like to do more job showing, and see what positions in my field are really like, which will help me narrow things down. I didn’t realize that there are some jobs in my field I can do with a Bachelors degree which is good to know! I also learned how big gaining experience is. I set some short term goals to help me get to where I want to be next year.
1. Job shadow at least 3 new places in my field.
2. Continue to research occupations in my field.
3. Find more internships, complete at least 1 more to build my resume.
4. Talk to more people, network, find job openings that fit my needs.
Goals 1-5 years
1. Complete my Masters degree- To complete this goal I will need to finish my current degree, decide on graduate school, and work out funding to pay for it.
2. Have 2-10 good contacts in my field-To complete this I will need to talk to people, complete volunteer and internship programs.
3. Have good job experience- This will come from getting a job in my field and starting my career after my Bachelors degree is complete.
4. Find a job and be working as a school councilor. This will be doable after my masters program is complete.
I chose to job shadow the person I interviewed in a previous assignment. I went to Mountain View High school to shadow the school counselors. I chose to do this, because I think being a counselor will work out great for me. The hours are good for having small children, I get a break during the summer to be with my kids, there are usually job openings in education and I love working with kids. I already asked her my questions over the phone in my interview so I wasn’t asking as many questions while I was there I was mostly observing her position. I did ask her the following:
1. What education do you have?
-Masters Degree
2. Do you think after completing my education I will be able to find a job?
- Everyone I know that has wanted a job in this field as a counselor has been able to get one; there are a lot of schools in this area.
3. Is this a job I can do with kids at home?
-I had 5 children when I started my career, and being on the same schedule as them most of the time has worked out nicely.
My first impression of the field, is that it is a little different than I thought. I seems to be more appointments with parents and students about things like class schedules, and deciding which classes to take next year than actually discussing personal problems with students. I would like a little more private office than some of the counselors at Mountain View, but it wasn’t bad
Teamwork
We were building patio in my back yard. It was our first time so it was a learning experience. By the end of the project we were all getting frustrated, tired and a lot of fighting was going on, we were also stressed because we had to finish and return he machine we rented for the project. I then realized we needed to step back address what needed to be completed and who could do what best. I then assigned everyone a task to do. By working together and everyone just worrying about their part it was less stressful and we finished on time and have enjoyed our beautiful patio ever since.
The first company I contacted was CASA, this is a volunteer program that works with abused children in the county. This particular program doesn’t offer paid positions, but the experience I would gain in my field is great! Plus I would work and get to know a lot of people in my line of work that could lead to job opportunities. The program looks for people who are committed for 1 year, who can write reports on how the children are doing, can spend 8 hours a month spending time with the children and attend court hearings for them. Yes I am going to take advantage of this opportunity in the fall when the next training is held. This is a really great program and I’m excited to start helping a child in need.
The next company I contacted is Center for Change. This is a company that assists and houses people with eating disorders. They offer paid positions to those with a bachelor’s degree in the field of work experience. They are looking for people with a background in Psychology and or nutrition. They want people who are a good example to the patients. I may be interested in pursuing a career in with this company, but it isn’t my specialty line of work. There may be other jobs/internships that would suit me better, and that I would be more interested in.
Discovery Academy is a group home for teens with problems. I think the environment is great and the activities sound fun. They offer work to students that haven’t graduated yet, but the pay is $7.50 per hour and you must be 21. That may be good for a single student that pays rent. Though I would love the position and the environment, I can’t put in enough hours for that pay with 3 kids and a house payment. This position is not for me. There aren’t regular raises so it wouldn’t be worth my time in the long run.
1. Do you like your job? Yes it is great to work at the school where my girls go, my job is interesting and the hours are good. I really enjoy my job and working with students and their parents.
2. What education does your position require? A masters degree
3. Are there a lot of job opportunities? With 3 school districts and several charter schools close by I believe there is opportunity available. I know for a time I kept hearing the market for counselors was saturated but everyone I know that has wanted a job has been able to get one.
4. What is the pay like? Starting pay in the ASD for a counselor with a master’s degree without previous years of teaching would be around $33,500.
5. How does your job work with having a family? I really like being on the same holiday schedule as my kids. It really helped a lot when they were younger and it is nice to be off in the summer.
6. Do you work as much as the teachers at your school do? Counselors are on an extended contract but it isn't much more than teachers...mine is 10 days so I work 10 more days than the teachers at my school do.
7. Can I do anything with a Bachelors degree in this field? Usually you can't do much with a degree in psychology. I don't know what additional classes it would take to teach. You could look into the justice system and see if there are any jobs that a psych degree would qualify you for.
8. Do you get many interns from UVU? UVU doesn't have an educational counseling program and most of our interns come from Utah State (they have an extension), the U, or the University of Phoenix.
This interview was a great opportunity for me to talk to someone who works in my field, I learned a lot from the questions I asked, and will probably continue to ask more questions as I get further in my education. I have a lot of questions I want answers to, since I am getting close to jumping into the job market. It was good to hear how it really is on the inside. She is a great contact to have on my list, and answered all my questions very well.
To prepare I sat down and thought about the questions that were most important to me to know at this point in my career preparation. I learned that this is a great way to get accurate information on different positions; I will for sure use this process again. I will be sure to send a thank you note for her time, it is very much appreciated.
The major I have chosen is Behavioral Science. I have been going to school a little bit at a time for a long time, and had 3 kids along the way so it’s been a journey, I can’t wait to be finished! It would take me a long time to list all the classes I have taken. I just need to finish my math classes, stats, and research methods. I waited until last to start math which is adding a year to my graduation date because the classes have to be taken in order.
My major is appealing to me because I want to help people, and love hearing about other people’s lives and coming up with ideas to make it better. I’m very caring and understanding. I’m about 12 credit hours away from graduation after this semester; I love all the classes I have taken for my major! They are so interesting to me and I have learned so much that can help others as well as myself in my own relationships.
I love the work schedule of a high school counselor because I will have time off in the summer when the kids are out of school as well as evenings and weekends off. Some down sides to my major, are pay, difficulty and also that I need my Masters degree as well which will take a lot more schooling. My degree will open door of opportunities for me in the job market. There are other majors that have higher pay and less schooling. One treat to my education is finding balance. It is really hard to balance a full school schedule, 3 kids a husband, and work. I get very stressed out at times trying to do everything! I know it will be worth it when I am done so I am trying to stay positive and work hard.
Senior Year
-Finish final required classes
-Gain Work experience in my field
-Volunteer
-Talk to counselors
-Talk to other seniors and graduates about information in my field
-Build my resume
-Learn about graduation
-Explore graduate school options
-Read related books and articles, research
-Decide what kind of place I want to work in
Sensitive
Perceiving nonverbal messages
Listening attentively

In past experience working with youth in a group home, I was able to use these skills that I use every day with my kids. I was able to engage in deep conversations with the youth, to get to know how they were feeling and why, as well as how I could help. I am a good listener which made it easy for me to learn about them instead of judge them. I’m very interested in working with youth; it’s something I really enjoy. I have learned from my kids, to be patient, understanding and sensitive and it has and will help me in the work place. The skills I use in my personal relationships are very important in a career setting as well.