Psychology Portfolio -- Forward Statement Essay

The modern psychologist is only as good as his or her understanding of the way that the principles described in multiple areas of the field interrelate to produce behavior and perception.

It is my hope to work in family and child counseling areas in some capacity where I have the opportunity to help families experiencing difficulties maintaining beneficial and healthy relationships and a home environment conducive to well adjusted child and adolescent development. In retrospect, I would like to have become more familiar with childhood education issues simply because I realize that the working environment I envision will almost certainly give rise to an opportunity (and possibly an obligation) to become knowledgeable enough about childhood education theory to meet the needs of my clients as comprehensively as possible. In retrospect, my portfolio might be stronger from a professional perspective if it contained evidence of my having studied childhood education. Strictly from the academic perspective, the absence of work in childhood education does not jump out at the reader; it is primarily of likely practical significance in the field.

If I were advising a new psychology student today, I would emphasize the importance of using the first part of the program to identify potential areas of more specialized interest. I would also suggest that one consider subsequent academic choices from both the academic record perspective and from the practical perspective (i.e. The everyday realities and requirements of working in a chosen area). While narrowing the focus of study is important, one should simultaneously maintain an open mind about what other areas of psychology or other substantive knowledge might be helpful in practice.