Melisa Joseph

In order to make the world a better place, the only way to do so is to help each other. I firmly believe that we are each other’s own solution to resolve major global issues.

I am strongly confident in my verbal and non- verbal communication skills. My communication skills were shaped from my role as an advisor, nursing assistant, and residential assistant. As an advisor for the psychology department, I practice being an active listener. I am also very conscious at the speed of which I speak and I always make it a habit at making calculated pauses to ask students for any additional or clarifying questions. As a nursing assistant, most of my patients are nonverbal due to varying dementia levels. I learned that varying degrees of eye contact, touch, and facial expressions are all highly effective in communicating to my patients what I would want them to do. As a residential assistant, I learned how to stand my ground and establish trust with those around me. I am respectful when confronted with a sensitive situation and I can timely respond according to given protocol.

Because I hold many roles as a student, I have excelled in my organization skills. Being a full time dedicated student who also has to pay for their own tuition, I learned how to effectively and appropriately allocate my time. Over the years, I have become more attuned to my body’s signals when my schedule becomes too much to handle. I am not afraid to ask for help and ask for extensions if I feel like I cannot finish a specific project in time. I highly make use of Google Calendar as well as many sticky notes with reminders of upcoming appointments and tasks. I give myself set deadlines to accomplish tasks and I complete everything by quality- not quantity.

With good organization skills follows the ability to work in a team. I am very group-oriented because I believe that the best way to solve a problem is to use many brains instead of one. As a nursing assistant, I work with a team of aids, nurses, and doctors. As a residential assistant, I am constantly in contact with my staff and residential director about events and situations going on in the cluster. I love to actively engage others in any project group that I am in. I am also known to put 110% of my energy into whatever challenge comes my way.