Your Portfolio 1Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Your Portfolio

1Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

What is a portfolio?

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

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Scrapbook View book Log book Professional diary Pitch book

Showcase opportunity Training/professional development tool Organizational tool



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Professional communication includes written, oral, visual, and electronic communication in a workplace context.

In the communications field, a portfolio is a very valuable tool to help you: 1. advance in your education and

training

2. get an internship placement

3. find employment as a full-time or part-time employee or as a freelance professional


A collection of your very best work!


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Why portfolios? Many employers ask for a portfolio of your work along with

your application The portfolio is a great way to keep a

record of your work You can use the

portfolio as a resource for future works

Creating and maintaining your portfolio helps you build organizational skills


What employers want

These websites are examples of those used in the industry for job searches

• web.olivetcollege.edu/careerdev/communication.htm

• oedb.org/careers/communications/

• www.prsa.org/jobcenter/career_resources/resource.../communications/


What schools want

These websites are examples of university programs that offer communications as a major:

http://www.baylor.edu/ http://www.smu.edu/ http://www.tamu.edu/ http://www.ttu.edu/ http://www.utexas.edu/ http://www.unt.edu/


http://www.baylor.edu/

http://www.smu.edu/

http://www.tamu.edu/

http://www.ttu.edu/

http://www.utexas.edu/

http://www.unt.edu/

What clients want

These websites are examples of organizations that support communications professionals:

http://www.americancomm.org// http://www.spj.org/index.asp http://www.womcom.org/ http://www.natcom.org/


http://www.americancomm.org/

http://www.spj.org/index.asp

http://www.womcom.org/

http://www.natcom.org/

Benefits of portfolios

Structure and organization for filing projects and supporting documents

Track work Track skill/knowledge development Identify areas that need attention to

improve chances of achieving desired outcomes (job, acceptance into school, etc.)


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What other ways can you benefit from creating a portfolio?

What do you want your portfolio to do for you?

Method for documenting your work Resources for future work Tools for assisting others Examples to use when creating new

works History of skill/knowledge progression Acceptance into post-secondary

program


• JOB!

Content elements to consider…


Type of work to be documented

Support document types File types

Media required for storage Media required for viewing Source vs. display files

Filing structure for portfolio content

Technology resourcesto consider…

Computer Graphics software High-quality printer Digital camera Storage media Existing format for examples of

your previous work

• 13• Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Let’s get started

How would you sort or identify your work?


Things to consider

How do you want to organize your portfolio? Date Type of work Customer/course Materials used Size Multiple criteria

(cross-referenced list)


Organizing your portfolio


My Portfolio

Writing

Speeches

Blogs

Presentations

Visual

Brochures

Posters

Accomplishments

Awards

Certifications

Skills

Tracking document

Organizing your portfolio


Written Work

Presentations

All About Me (specific project)

Presentation slides

Video of presentation

Presentation rubric

Peer feedback

How will you organize/name it?

Which is most relevant to your work? Organized by: Type (writing, technology, artwork)

Date (month, year)

Subject matter (school, student organization, work)

Primary purpose (service, education, training)

Media (presentation, writing samples, speeches, blogs, graphic design, video)

Develop a system that is meaningful to you!


Worksheet Activity

1.Complete the digital portfolio worksheet for the three items you will use to create your digital portfolio.

2. List the steps you will need to take to create digital images that document your work.


Supporting documents

Assignments, projects, papers, syllabus, awards, evaluation rubrics, test scores, etc.

Appropriate file format Converting documents to digital format


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Things to consider

What will you need to create the digital documentation?

Original project/assignment Graphics software Digital camera Storage media High-quality prints


Creating digital images

Things to consider before you take pictures Type of work (poster, presentation, etc.) Lighting Size/shape of work Color Materials Resolution/quality of digital image Background


Creating digital images What do you think is better for

photographing your work, natural or artificial light?

What background works best? What resolution should your

images be? How many different angles should

you capture? How do you communicate size in

the image?


Creating digital images

Take practice shotsHow many do you need to adequately document your work?

Upload them to PC to review Select the best shots and copy

them into your work folder Rename them based upon

identification scheme you want to use, such as: Poster_recycling_Aug_13_2010.jpg

Flyer_communication_Mar_15_2012.pdf


Other documents to include… Certificates/Awards Certification documentation Standardized test results Industry-specific

competency test results Transcript Copy of diploma Résumé


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Portfolio assembly

Create a binder with printouts of documents including worksheet, assignment sheet, and photos of your work

Assemble binder in same manner as your digital portfolio with divider tabs

Use sheet protectors if you plan to use your binder to share your work with clients, students, or peers


Create your digital portfolio


Using the works you have chosen, create your digital portfolio

Print a screen shot of the folder and contents for each item

Include the photos you use to document your work and submit with the worksheet and folder screen shots

Portfolio maintenance

Once you’ve created a portfolio, what then? Benefits of regular maintenance… Consequences of irregular maintenance… Timeline considerations… Recommendations for maintenance


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Summary


Digital portfolios have many uses College program applications Job applications Participation in

competitions/workshops Marketing your work Attracting new clients Personal growth/development Training/helping peers

Your Portfolio 1Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Documents

multimedia content

freelance professional

work resources

best work

future work tools

professional communication

examples of organizations

valuable tool