The Importance of a Portfolio21 - Career Center

1 The Importance of a Portfolio It can be helpful in applying for bonuses, scholarships, grants and negotiating promotions and A portfolio is a living and changing raises. collection of records that reflect your A portfolio demonstrates prior accomplishments, skills, experiences, work or learning experiences that and attributes. It highlights and can be useful for educational showcases samples of some of your best credit. work, along with life experiences, values and achievements. The personal How do I create a portfolio? information that you incorporate into your portfolio can greatly reflect on your First, you need to determine what type of abilities as an individual as well as portfolio is best suited for your needs: become a useful tool in marketing 1. Student Portfolio Useful in an yourself to employers, corporations, academic setting; demonstrates colleges and universities.

2 A portfolio knowledge attained in a given does not take the place of a resume, but class or throughout your school it can accentuate your abilities and what Career . This portfolio can be you can offer in the chosen field. very helpful if you plan on continuing your education beyond the undergraduate level. Why do I need a portfolio? 2. Project Portfolio Useful in an academic and professional A portfolio can set you apart from other setting; shows the efforts or steps applicants, whether in a professional or taken to complete a specific academic setting. project or independent study. It allows you to be more personal For example, if you have the and creative in order to expand experience of producing a school on and exhibit your skills, play, you would create a knowledge, projects and portfolio that incorporated the experiences. materials and research that was A portfolio is a method of self- involved.

3 If you wanted to apply discovery and confidence- for a grant in order to do another building. play then you could use your It is a multi-faceted way to portfolio as a form of proof that organize your accomplishments, you did a good job and would be goals, aspirations, and personal a prime candidate to receive the thought. It showcases your requested grant. personality to potential 3. Professional Portfolio Useful in employers and organizations. a professional setting;. It is a useful tool to include in an demonstrates your skills, interview. It provides tangible background, accomplishments proof of your skills and abilities and experiences. This portfolio and demonstrates to the employer is versatile and can be arranged that you are qualified for that for a specific position. For specific job. example, a teaching portfolio would be a type of professional History, Accomplishments and Job portfolio that would highlight History, Skills and Attributes, Education experiences, achievements, goals and Training as well as Testimonials and and ambitions for a position as a Recommendations.

4 Teacher within an educational institution. 4. Online Portfolio Useful in an IMPORTANT: Always be as academic and professional specific as possible. Your portfolio can setting; enables your credentials become quite a large collection of to be more easily accessible via materials. For interview purposes, it the internet. This should not take would be a wise strategy to select items the place of a hard copy from your portfolio to be included in a portfolio, but be created in smaller interview portfolio. The smaller addition to one. This portfolio portfolio can be presented during the can be very helpful for those interview and would be less planning on applying for a job in overwhelming to the interviewer. the field of technology and/or graphic design. Also, an online portfolio can be useful to anyone Here is a list of possible information to in any given field. As the include. Information Age progresses, Letters of reference prospective employers are Resume or Vitae beginning to request online Lists of accomplishments portfolios.

5 Bear in mind that Samples of work ( , items several employers may be produced on internship or co-op located afar and with one click of experiences, class projects, items a mouse, they can access your produced from previous job). information more readily. 5. Personal Portfolio Simply for Memos and/or reports (optional). your personal use. This portfolio Designs and Photographs is a collection or a scrapbook of (optional). things that interest you. This Transcripts portfolio could be used as a Licenses or Certifications stepping block towards Evidence of specific skills ( , understanding who you are and writing, graphic design, public where you would like to be in the speaking, leadership, event future. management). Depending upon your profession, certain What should I include in my items can be added to provide a more portfolio? detailed representation of your knowledge and skills.

6 As with any As you begin to create your portfolio, interview portfolio, you should include there are several different categories that the best examples of your skills and you should consider: Personal abilities that are relevant to the position Information, Values, Personal Goals and you are seeking. (see below). Example of Portfolio additions Second, it is vital to adopt a Education/Teaching specific presentation format for the o Video of your teaching material within your portfolio. For o Statement of teaching philosophy (1- example: 2 pages). o Evaluations ( , supervisor, 1. Introductory Title Page student) 2. Table of Contents o Sample lesson plans a. Can be organized two o Classroom Innovations ( , new ways chronologically or technology, new methods) functionally o Relevant photographs 3. Work Samples o Teaching honors and/or awards a. Provide a reflection o Evidence of student learning ( , statement for each sample graded exams, assignments [1 good/ b.)]

7 Reflection statement can 1 bad]) be in either paragraph or o Continuing Education/Workshops bulleted format completed c. The reflection statements should contain a brief The Arts: Performance or Design description of the sample o Work samples or photo images of item and its background them and a detailed list of the o Video/audio recording of work competencies developed o List of competencies mastered by the sample o Course descriptions for classes/workshops completed When creating a smaller portfolio for an interview please consider the following: Making a Portfolio 9 Place items in a loose-leaf binder 9 Use sheet protectors 9 Use copies of your work and First and foremost, it is very keep a master copy available important that your portfolio: 9 Organize your pages by index o Looks professional and tabs and/or dividers accurately reflects your skills 9 Try to keep this portfolio o Is specific and occupationally between 5-10 pages in length focused 9 Avoid page numbers as this o Is easy to update and view allows you to add and move o Is self-explanatory if need be things around more easily o Supports information presented 9 Be consistent with headings and in your resume placement of items 9 Keep the sections job specific Helpful Links When using internet search engines, try to use phrases like professional portfolio, how to create a portfolio, interview portfolio, and Career portfolio.

8 The sites listed below may provide you with ideas for creating or building upon your own portfolio. Additional Resources The books referenced below can be found in College of Charleston Career Center if you would like to further research this topic. JIST. (2003) Your Career and life plan portfolio (2nd Ed.). Indianapolis, IN: JIST. Publishing, Inc. Kimeldorf, M. (1997). Portfolio power: The new way to showcase all your job skills and experiences. Princeton, NJ: Peterson's. Kimeldorf, M. (1994). Creating portfolios for success in school, work and life. Minneapolis, MN: Free Spirit Publishing, Inc. You may also want to check out available resources at the Addlestone Library or the Charleston Public Library