Hi! My name is Bruce
Needham,
welcome to my electronic portfolio. My major is in Communications
and I am an independent, non-traditional student semi-retired
from a professional career in health care and decided to continue my
formal education at Monmouth College where I am completing my senior year and currently
planning to attend Graduate School at Western Illinois University to
earn a Master's Degree in Communication. I
chose the field of Communication because effective communication is a
learned skill that is invaluable in human relations on every level and
walk of life. My previous career as an addictions counselor at two
major health care institutions; St. John's Hospital, Springfield, Il. and Clearpointe, Lake Ozark, Mo.(Mediplex Corp.) were instrumental in
stirring my interest in Communication, particularly, Interpersonal
Communication and as our health care programs closed in 2000, I took some
time out to think about what I would like to do for my next career.
My decision was to pursue a formal education in the field of
Communication so that my previous experience and background in
health care would remain a valuable asset.
Initially, I
registered as a Music major with Dr. White because of my background and
experience as a guitarist and nightclub performer throughout central
Illinois since my late teens, however, considering the realities of the
music industry, I opted to pursue a career in academics and work toward
becoming a professor as a long term goal. I actively participated
in the college choir tenor section during my freshman and sophomore
years and also participated in the theater as a cast member in the
productions of Tartuffe by Molliare and Streetcar by Williams.
Prior to my acceptance at Monmouth College, I taught at the Buchanan
Center for the Arts as Resident Guitar Instructor and I continue
performing in nightclubs throughout the Midwest with my rock and blues
band, Black Cat Bone, where my responsibilities include effective
communication with band members, music and equipment suppliers, public
relations personnel, bar managers and nightclub proprietors,
transportation and local area musicians. My responsibilities as an
addiction counselor and certified relapse prevention specialist
included, but were not limited to; intake assessment, referral,
biopsychosocial assessment, individual counseling, group therapy,
treatment planning, discharge planning, continue care and work with
family and referral systems. My work was primarily with adults
including family and significant others, a difficult and challenging
population. I have an extensive history and experience in
manufacturing having worked for Outboard Marine Corporation as a skilled
machinist, material handler, assembler, and inspector where my
responsibilities included; transportation and deposition of raw and
finished materials, production and precision machine set-up, production
line assembly, blueprint reading and comprehension, competency in the
care and use of precision measuring devices including gauges,
micrometers and dial calipers for quality control of the manufactured
product. Please consult my resume page for job history and dates
of employment, references available upon request.
This portfolio represents a sampling of the work, commitment,
dedication and responsibilities inherent in the pursuit of accomplishing
the goals and objectives of Communication Majors set forth by the
Communication Department at Monmouth College in the document "CATA Major
& Communication Concentration Learning Objectives." The portfolio
includes reflection statements, brief and to the point, describing the
means used to accomplish the learning objective and a link to a
representative artifact.