Step 3 - Collecting
Items collected for portfolios are called artifacts. Collecting artifacts, filtering through collected artifacts, and converting the artifacts to an electronic format is one of the most time consuming steps in creating a portfolio.
Do not procrastinate! Begin today! Because it takes a long time to generate portfolio artifacts to include in a portfolio, it is important to start creating and collecting right away — preferably in an electronic format.
Store your portfolio items together, perhaps in a folder on your computer's desktop or in a box labeld "Portfolio Artifacts." Produce an appropriate abstract or summary for each item stored. This will explain to your audience the purpose of each item you display in your portfolio.
The following is a list of possible items to include in an electronic portfolio.
Items to Include:
Program Requirements
Any items your program of study requires be included in your portfolio.
Education Examples
- Samples of your writing
- Letter or certificate which recognizes you as a scholarship recipient
- Link to Thesis or Dissertation
- Visual representations of your best work
- Video clip of a presentation you have made
- Summary of a scholarly research project and/or results
- Examples of handouts, letters, memos, reports, charts, graphs, brochures, etc. using a computer software or program language
Career
- Online resume
- Downloadable resume (saved as .doc, .PDF, or .rtf file)
- Online Curriculum Vita
- Downloadable Curriculum Vita (saved as .doc, .PDF, or .rtf file)
- Career Summary
- Professional goals for the short term (2-5 years)
- Professional goals for the long term (5+ years)
- Summary of areas of expertise
- Your insights into the field and your work philosophy
- Evaluation written by a supervisor or other individual
- Video resume
- Video interview
Honors
- Certifications, degrees and awards you have earned
- Letters of recommendation
Special Skills
- Foreign language skills - examples
- Hobbies
- Certifications in CPR, First Aid, etc.
Personal
- Brief Bio
- Hobbies
- Family
Other
- Video or audio references
- Articles or books you have written
- Links to to relevant sites
- Official transcripts
Images
- Pictures of yourself
- Pictures of your work
