Brandi Soto is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Professional Studies degree, which she chose because it can be completed fully online and satisfies her goals of working in management or human resources, such as for the United States Department of Defense. Her coursework has included general education classes in various subjects as well as management and leadership courses. She believes this combination of classes has prepared her with both a well-rounded knowledge base and specific skills relevant to her career goals.

1. 11/24/2013
Program of
Study
Rationale
Brandi Soto
Bachelor of Science In
Professional Studies
1
Soto

2. 2
11/24/2013
Bachelor of Science In
Professional Studies
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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.
Soto

3. 3
11/24/2013
Academic Experience
General
Education
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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
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SPCH 1010
COMM 4410
PM 4120
ENTC 3030
MGMT 3610
MGMT 4547
BMGT 3630
Soto

4. 4
11/24/2013
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.
Soto

5. 5
11/24/2013
ENGL
1010, 1020, 2210, 2630, 4100:
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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.
Soto

6. 6
11/24/2013
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.
Soto

7. 7
11/24/2013
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.
Soto

8. 8
11/24/2013
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.
Soto

9. 9
11/24/2013
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.
Soto

10. 10
11/24/2013
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.
Soto

11. 11
11/24/2013
PSY 3590:
Psychology of Personality
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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.
Soto

12. BGSD 2100, 2200, 2300:
Successful Online
Learning, Multimedia
Presentation, and Building EPortfolios
12
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11/24/2013
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.
Soto

13. 13
11/24/2013
SOCI 4510: Introduction to
Social Research
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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.
Soto

14. 14
11/24/2013
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.
Soto

15. 15
11/24/2013
SPCH 1010:
Fundamentals of Speech
Communication
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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.
Soto

16. 16
11/24/2013
COMM 4410:
Conflict Resolution and
Negotiation
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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.
Soto

17. 17
11/24/2013
PM 4120:
Organizational Theory and
Behavior
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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.
Soto

18. 18
11/24/2013
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.
Soto

19. 19
11/24/2013
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.
Soto

20. 20
 This
11/24/2013
MGMT 4547:
Corporate Etiquette
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.
Soto

21. 21
11/24/2013
BMGT 3630:
Human Resources
Management
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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.
Soto

22. 22
11/24/2013
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.
Soto