Portfolios have become commonplace in recent years. The concept of a portfolio was first introduced to me during my final years at Davenport University. Each class in the new curriculum requires the student to complete a project known as an “artifact,” which is then added to the student portfolio. The intent is to create quality projects for the portfolio, which are to be used when applying for a job after graduation. This is probably one of the most common uses for a portfolio.
Because the portfolio project was started well into my college career, my portfolio is incomplete. If I had a complete portfolio, I imagine that I could use it to “sell” my skills and myself to a perspective employer. Thankfully, I’m not in the market for a new job. The textbook includes some great ideas for portfolio artifacts; items such as a professional resume, transcripts, awards or honors, letters of recommendation, and endorsements or certificates are great examples of information that one might include in a portfolio.
If I were to put together a portfolio, I would consider having the information available in both paper and electronic forms. Employers are eager to have information available in a digital format for quick access and sharing documentation within the office.
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The hardest thing for me was to remember to save items as I went along. I was halfway through my college courses before I began to think about portfolio artifacts and had to go back and find things. I had both a paper portfolio and digital. I have seen an interviewer's eyes glaze over as I spoke using a paper copy! The digital leave behind was always welcome but I learned to follow up with an email or phone call to see if there were any questions.
ReplyDeleteI also try to do the reflection pieces soon after an artifact is chosen. I learned the hard way that waiting many times causes a poor reflection to take place.
I am sure your portfolio is full of awesome items, especially as they relate to technology.
Ryan,
ReplyDeleteI think some sort of electronic portfolio would be a really cool thing to have in an interview. I could imagine someone coming in with a flash drive with a file on it or website they have created full of their accomplishments. Also as an administrator I would like to see that ahead of time before I chose applicants to interview for positions. I think I could get a better perspective on how they were as a person.
You hit on some of the most common problems with portfolios -- time and memory.
ReplyDeleteIf you let things go -- "I'll get to that later or this would be good in my portfolio I will set aside time at the end of the semester to do it" you will never do it and like Gail said the reflection part will be 10 times harder!!!
Think of your portfolio as ALWAYS a work in progress -- keep adding to it, changing things, highlighting different aspects -- just as you and your skills and knowledge change.
I don't know if I shared it, but I had to make a portfolio for a course I am taking -- a kind of end of semester project, so here is my first stab at it (it's in no way done or perfect, but it's a start)
http://home.comcast.net/~srhodes/portfolio/
Ryan-
ReplyDeleteIf you have a paper portfolio I wouldn't bother finishing it, because those are a thing of the past. I would suggest you create an electronic portfolio that showcases how well you use technology. I had a paper portfolio I created in college and took it to several job interviews and it was only looked at once for 1 minute. I think if I took in an electric samples of what I have done it would open some eyes.
Craig Schoenherr