1. 1
Undergraduate Studies
ePortfolio
Kimberly Herr
Psychology and Criminal Justice,
2010

2. Personal Statement
When in high school students are always asked “What do you want to do with your life?” Some people may know from day one. They
may realize from the start they want to be a teacher, or doctor, or business owner, or cosmetologist, or whatever. On the other
hand, there are people that have absolutely no idea. These people may be interested in a variety of different things. How do you
make such an important decision, especially as a teenager? I fell into that category of having no idea what I wanted to do with my
life at that age.
I graduated from Spring Lake Park High School in 1997 in the top 10 percent of my class. I was the captain on the volleyball
team. I also lettered in softball and was the manager of the wrestling team. I was a member of the National Honor Society and
received a handful or rewards, honors, and scholarships. I looked great on paper. One would think that I would have my future
all planned out. That was not the case.
College was the logical next step. I decided to attend Minnesota State University, Mankato. I didn’t declare a major when I began
my general sources. I figured I had time to learn what I like and it would come to me.
When that time came I choose Mass Communications-Public Relations. I excelled at writing. I also was working multiple part time jobs
while attending school. I was usually working three at a time. These jobs included working as a bartender, server, volleyball
coach, playground supervisor, personal care attendant, and more. The overall theme was that I worked with people and I liked it.
I figured Public Relations combined my talents. I could write and work with people.
I graduated in December of 2001 and moved back up to Minneapolis in 2002. I found a job bartending while looking for a job where I
could use my degree. I eventually started working as a Marketing Director for a property management company. It was a job. I
worked hard and excelled at what I did. I just didn’t enjoy what I was doing and there wasn’t any room to move within the
company. I then tried my luck as a Promotions Director for a modeling and acting school system. The majority of my job was
sales, cold calling, and promoting a company I did not believe in. This really made me reconsider what I was doing with my life
and what I thought would truly make me happy and successful.
Psychology was my decision. Specifically I was intrigued by Forensic Psychology. I wanted to learn how criminals thought and what
they do the things they do. I took a leap of faith and quit my job, went back to bartending, and enrolled in school.
I took it slow at first and really absorbed the information I was being taught. Although I always did well in school this was the first time
when things really clicked. I realized that it was a right fit and I know that I am going to be successful. I took a risk by going back
to school after a 4 year hiatus and it paid off. I am now excited about my future.
Continuing to graduate school is the next step. I enjoy learning and hope to keep on learning my entire life. I am currently volunteering
at the Hennepin County Adult Corrections Facility and this is the type of position I belong in right now. My hopes are to be able to
get hired on as a regular employee soon and work there while attending graduate school.
I do not have a “dream job” at this moment. I believe that my journey through graduate school will help me find it. I am interested in so
many different areas that I am going to have to learn about them and have experiences before I can make a decision. I hope to
have the opportunity to be able to do so.
Sincerely,
Kimberly Herr

3. Resume
Kimberly Herr
5055 Holly Lane North Unit 2
Plymouth, MN 55446
(Home) 763-208-0401
(Cell) 763-443-5273
EXPERIENCE
Substitute, Wayzata Public Schools
09/2010-current
Plymouth, MN
Prepare and serve meals to students

4. Reflection
Deciding to go back to school was a hard decision to make. I graduated in 2001 with a BS in Mass
Communications-Public Relations from Minnesota State University, Mankato. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find
a job in this field that I really enjoyed and that was a good fit. I didn’t know what to do.
After a lot of thinking I decided that going back to school was my best option and psychology really intrigued
me. I had been out of school for years so I was a bit nervous, but decided to take the plunge. I researched
some schools and decided on Argosy University. I took just the General Psychology class to get into the
swing of things and decided I made the right decision.
Looking back I realize that having the courage and motivation to go back to school was the best decision I
made. Throughout my time at Argosy I truly enjoyed learning. While at Mankato I enjoyed what I did, and I
did it well. Unfortunately, I just couldn’t get the right fit. With psychology, it fits.
I also thought it was important to explore different avenues within psychology so I could find my specialty or
concentration. After taking a forensic psychology class I knew that the criminal justice concentration was
for me. With each class I took for this concentration it only confirmed that I made the right decision.
I decided that I am not done with my education. I was just recently accepted into the graduate program in
Forensic Psychology at Argosy University. I will receive my BA in Psychology with a concentration in
Criminal Justice in December 2010 and will begin the Master’s program in January 2011. I am very excited
to begin this next step.
I have realized that I am always willing a happy to learn new things. I don’t believe that anyone’s education
ever really ends. If you want to learn more there is always more knowledge to gain. I want to not only be
able to help people, but I want to be able to learn from people.
I am already contemplating continuing my education after receiving by Master’s, but I need to take it one step at
a time. I look forward to learning so much more and to meet interesting people in the process. I hope to
make great connections and learn about all the different possibilities I have for a career. I believe that I am
on the right path and will only keep getting closer to my destination as long as I stay motivated, determined,
and passionate.

5. Writing Samples
For samples of my writing please view my
box.net files

6. More Information
Please view my box.net files and profile
information for the information included
in this presentation.

7. Contact Me
Thank you for viewing my
ePortfolio.
For further information, please
contact me at the e-mail address
below.
kimberlyroppe@hotmail.com