Community Policing

Past, Present, and Future Paper

The meaning of this paper is to reflect on one's personal and professional lives' during ones program study at University of Phoenix. I will reflect on my growth while looking at the effects of completing the Criminal Justice degree program of current and future professional goals. In this paper, I will discuss one's views of learning, outcome of personal growth and process including professional ability and career goals.

Additionally, this paper measures areas of growth of skill awareness of core courses, which includes general education and poses areas of advice that can heighten the curriculum at University of Phoenix. Lastly, this paper breaks down the effects completing an undergraduate degree program while giving insight of long term learning goals. The understanding of one's personal and professional growth and change enhances awareness and brings accomplishments to the perspective.

Personal and Professional Growth

As I discuss my personal and professional growth prior to completion of my degree program, I realize that I have been empowered by outstanding group of faculty and staff at University of Phoenix, which has influenced my personal and professional growth. People, places, and things have easily distracted me in the past however; since enrollment of my degree program, direction, and guidance from faculty, I have learned to manage responsibilities effectively as a student, employee, and head of my household.

I was able to communicate very well orally, but my level of information retrieval was not great. I still had not learned to be an effective student. Most of what I was doing came from my natural ability. I had the talent but no work ethic. My ability of cooperation was not very secure either. I did certain things very well and struggled in the area of cooperation. I had not been exposed to work with others in a group effort. I was used to doing things on my own with very little teamwork.

I was on the fence as far as my career goals went. The only thing that I knew for sure is that I wanted to help single mothers one day. This may sound simple but it wasn't for me. To me helping single mothers meant so much more than just being able to be in front of people and encouraging them. I wanted to build an monarchy so that people could be inspired and actually live the life that would encourage them to live. I wanted to change the world for the better. I wanted to be the absolute best at what I was doing and be the best example that I could be for single mother and their families.

Past

Before I started at University of Phoenix I was attending college at Rose State college in Oklahoma City. At this time I was a single mother of three and I was just out of a divorce. I was not getting any help with my children and I was trying to work full-time. I had to much going on so I had to drop out of college because I could not work, take care of my kids, and go to school. I was taking course for paralegal and I thought I would never be able to attend school again because of my current situation.

In 2008 my cousin was telling how was going to school online and how everything was done on the computer really caught my attention. She gave me the number to the University of Phoenix in Oklahoma, I went and talked to one of the admission representative and she was very helpful. I was so excited to be able to go back to school and still be able to get into a field where I can still help families not just single mothers.

While taking my course online I was able to work full-time, spend time with my kids go to their school functions, and still get my degree. I planned my week out every week on what need to be done after work between homework and school functions. I was able to do everything with ease and no stress.

In 2009 I started working at a Jewelry store. I have always be in customer service but it was over the phone and not face to face this was a big adjustment for me. Most I had great listening skills and verbal communication but after taking critical thinking and cultural diversity course, I understand more about language barriers and how word can be used with a different meaning. These two classes have help me to develop a better listen skills and communication skill, before the course I would respond and not think the situation through. I know understand the importance of thinking before responding and coming up with the best strategic plan to resolve the issue.

Present

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