AU_PSY492_M1_A2_PS-Lewis_k.doc

Advanced General Psychology

Personal Statement

Course Code:PSY492

Submitted by: Katherine Lewis

Date: January 12, 2011

Personal Statement

I believe that a person's personality is shaped by one's life experiences. Those experiences shape the

people that we become. For this reason I think that it is important to start this statement by discussing

some of my life experiences that I feel have shaped my personality.

My father was an alcoholic and my mother worked two jobs just to pay the bills. That left me to care

for my little brother. When I was fourteen my mother finally decided that something needed to change.

That is when my parents divorced. I was in my freshman year in high school. I must say that until this

point I was a straight a student. My freshman year was the hardest for me. My mother was constantly

calling the cops on my father and I was up all hours of the night. I missed a lot of school and my

grades really suffered. I really had to study and focus on school the remaining three years of high

school. Many teenagers would have given up but I knew if I tried hard enough I could catch up and

graduate on time.

I moved out my senior year and was renting an apartment with my boyfriend. I found myself pregnant

with my first child before I graduated high school and got married shortly after graduation. Since then

I have been divorced, remarried and had two more wonderful children. I have also struggled trying to

earn my college degree. I started taking online classes a few after I graduated and my dreams of

getting my degree was put on hold when my financial aid adviser told me that I couldn't get my

student loans renewed but I didn't give up. I am now just seven short weeks away from earning my

B.S. In Psychology.

I believe that we create our our career paths and that nothing is out of reach. If you strive to reach your

goals anything is possible. I am currently employed by Lowes', where I work as a head cashier. I

supervise the front end and have about twenty four employees that work under me.

After I obtain my B.S. Degree, I would love to continue my education and obtain my Master's in

Forensics. My dream job would be to become a criminal profiler for the FBI or a Forensic

Psychologist. . I plan to enter the police academy and become a law enforcement officer while earning

my degree in Forensics.

If I was asked to describe my personality I would have to say that I am a leader, not a follower. I am not

one to give up easily. I work very well with others. I like people and I think that I'm an easy person to

get along with. I am hardworking , which I probably get from my mother. I care about others and

would like to somehow make a difference in the world. I am a loving mother to my three children.

Nothing is more important to me than them.

I will follow through and finish anything I start. I am a firm believer that anything is possible. When

someone tells me that I can't do something, it only makes me want it more. We decide how our lives

turn out. It is not decided for us. Our lives are what we make them. We will all struggle and have

things interfere but we can not give up on ours dreams. I will not give up on mine. I will strive to do

the best I can do in absolutely everything I do. As long as I know I have done my best, there is no

room for regrets. Upon graduation I will continue to peruse my career, even if I'm told it can't be done.

And then as my children grow I hope they have the same attitude when faced with the many challenges

that will come their way.