Portfolio Resources (for WACE, January, 2000)

 

General Principles

1. A career portfolio can be a vehicle for driving your career.

2. A portfolio can be (should be) a visual representation of your Dependable Strengths, supported by articulated commentary.

3. There are important differences between "learning/assessment" portfolios and "career" portfolios.

4. To construct very effective career portfolios, you need to know yourself - your strengths, skills, abilities AND what you want to do (at least current objectives).

5. Recognize that there are different ways to represent yourself, as a unique combination of Dependable Strengths, and different people will give voice to their strengths in different ways.

 

Different levels of abstraction in representing yourself

1. Actual artifact - actual report you produced, computer print-out, actual diploma, wall plaque you were given for an accomplishment.

2. Direct representation of artifact or event - graphic of the cover of the report you wrote, a summary of the computer print-out, resume listing degree, photo of an award you won

3. Symbolic (indirect) representation of artifact or event - graphic of a bookshelf with many books and a list of the reports you have written, a schematic diagram of computer prints and a description of your computer skills, a graphic image of diplomas and a listing of your degrees, certificates, a graphic image of awards and a description of the one(s) you won.

 

 

Examples of Portfolios, Other Resources and Bibliography


Examples of Online Portfolios

R. D. Lankes' entire portfolio (and curriculum vita) are available here. In this very detailed site, notice the separate sections, and how they can be accessed.
http://ericir.syr.edu/~rdlankes/
R. D. Lankes' teaching portfolio only  Many excellent portfolio techniques here demonstrate the possibilities for building a digital portfolio.
http://ericir.syr.edu/~rdlankes/tport/port.html

Gabriel Nijmeh's portfolio   
Here's a very nice example of how portfolio materials can enhance a resume. The portfolio format is very useful for employers who are looking for project-oriented consultants. Note the consistent format for projects, each including background and scope, methodology and summary of benefits.
http://www.interlog.com/~gcn/portfolio/

John P. Sample   This one page is a great example of how different a portfolio can be from a resume, and how much portfolios can vary. Just this one frame shows that you don't have to restrict yourself to the dry, boring facts about yourself. (You do need the facts to demonstrate your capabilities, but you can bring in colorful analogies that will help your reader visualize your aspirations and your potential.)
http://www.talent-net.com/samres/mresframe.html

Jennifer Alexander
Web site of a graphic designer - when you have something to show, Show it.
http://www.sirius.com/~jennalex/resume/resume.html

Charley Morey
You have a choice of entering the Java-enhanced or the non-Java site. The contrast is instructive of what sophisticated web designers can do. The Java-enhanced version has music, sophisticated graphics and quite a few bell-whistles, but even the non-Java-enhanced site has an interesting format.
http://home.earthlink.net/~cmorey/

Ivan M (Eng version, Russian version linked)
Those with multiliingual skills can prove it by posting resumes in more than one language.
http://alt.aha.ru/~mia/index-e.html

Jessi S.
In stark contrast to the examples above, this is pretty plain for a person with multimedia expertise.

http://he.net/~yug/jessi/jsresume.html

Martin Pospisil
Color makes this relatively plain resume more interesting. Note that a text version is also made available.

http://home.att.net/%7Epaul.dowling/resumes/pospisil/index.htm

Friends' Resume page
A number of resumes listed here would also qualify as "portfolios." They are listed in categories on a pull-down menu, and range from plain to sophisticated. Worth exploring.
http://home.att.net/%7Epaul.dowling/resumes/friends.htm

Paul D.
Paul's resume is moderately attractive, but relatively plain. Imagine the potential for a portfolio extension to this site.
http://home.att.net/%7Epaul.dowling/resumes/jenkin/jenkin.htm

Martin Kimeldorf's Portfolio Library  If you're short on time and want to visit only one Website with information on portfolios, this is the one to choose. It links to Mr. Kimeldorf's articles and examples of two portfolios. It also extends and support's Mr. Kimeldorf's book, Portfolio Power, and the examples and notes explain the purpose and intent of the various parts of his career portfolio. Aron's Bike Portfolio is also a great example of a job search portfolio at a secondary school level.
http://www.amby.com/kimeldorf/p_mk-toc.html and http://www.amby.com/kimeldorf/portfolio/


Other Online Portfolio Resources (primarily college- and university-based)

The Kalamazoo Portfolio: Reflections, Connections and Life  (Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo, MI) A very extensive site with listings for students to learn about, create them and use portfolios. Also a section of information relevant to faculty and folks at other institutions. Several examples of student portfolios at various stages.
http://www.kzoo.edu/pfolio/index.html

Be sure to see:
Kalamazo example page
http://www.kzoo.edu/pfolio/Example/index.html

Also note: As more problems are encountered with privacy issues, more student portfolios are placed off-limits of casual observers. Here is another example of just that happening.
Example page linking to "sorry" more are password-protected and/or not available. http://www.kzoo.edu/pfolio/Example/goodPages/index2.html

Hewlett Portfolio Project
Contains several student portfolio examples and a set of examples of portfolio elements used in a management class.
http://www.hartwick.edu/library/hewlett.htm

Coe College Winners of Website Competition
Only one or two of these are still online here, but it may be worth the time to check once in a while, because they usually are quite good. http://www.public.coe.edu/departments/showcase/winners.html

Professional Employment Portfolios (Ball State University) - Tips on portfolios, with stress on self-assessment before beginning. Also excellent index of career-related Web sites, including assessment, found on Career Center's home page.
http://www.bsu.edu/careers/foliotip.html

Your Portfolio   (The Evergreen State College) Listing of essentials, useful elements and strategies for portfolio construction.
http://www.evergreen.edu/user/SASS/career/portfolio.html

Student Portfolio System Overview (Illinois State Univ - Col of Business - Dept of Accounting)
Overview of the system and how it works, however, the portfolios that used to be visible are now password protected.
http://portfolio.ilstu.edu/doc/spsins3.htm#top

Great Ideas for Marketing: Career Portfolios
A site that is interesting primarily for its perspective on portfolios, which are used to teach a class on the Principles of Marketing.
http://www.swcollege.com/marketing/gitm/gitm4e08-51.html

Teaching Portfolio This site is small, but it is targeted directly to teachers.
http://members.tripod.com/~papertiger1/index.html



 

“Starter” Bibliography on Portfolio Use (Primarily Paper-based Resources)

Portfolio Power:  The New Way to Showcase All Your Job Skills and Experiences
 by Martin Kimeldorf, Peterson’s, Princeton, NJ, 1997
(The most complete of the few books available on career portfolios.)

Creating Your Skills Portfolio: Show Your Accomplishments
by Carrie Straub, Crisp Publications, Inc.,  Menlo Park, CA, 1997
(Designed for Crisp's 50-minute series, basics are covered.)

Creating Your Career Portfolio:  At a Glance Guide
by Anna Graf Williams and Karen J. Hall, Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1997

Portfolios
edited by Martin Kimeldorf (Special Issue of Career Planning and Adult Development Journal, Vol. 12, No. 4, Winter 1996-7), San Jose, CA
(Articles by career development professionals writing from wide-ranging experiences with portfolios. )

Creating Portfolios for Success in School, Work, and Life
By Martin Kimeldorf, Free Spirit Publishing,, Minneapolis, MN, 1994
(Written for high school students, but relevant beyond the age group.)

Creating your Life's Work Portfolio:  An Interactive Career and Life Planning Workbook  by the editors of JIST, JIST Works, Inc., Indianapolis, IN, 1998
(Portfolios are a part of this book on planning for one's life)

Get A Life: Your Personal Planning Portfolio
Designed jointly by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) and the National Occupational Information Coordinating Committee (NOICC), it has four sections -- self-knowledge, life roles, educational development, and career exploration and planning -- designed to help students organize the basics of their career/life planning. Available through ASCA Website.)
http://www.noicc.gov/files/ngetlife.html

Creating a Digital Portfolio: A Guide to Marketing and Self-Promotion
by Cynthia Baron, Hayden books, Indiannapolis, 1996
(Written by a graphic designer, and assumes that readers are already at a fairly high level of electronic technology.)
 


Online Resources (primarily in article form)

ERIC Database
Searching the ERIC Database for the term "career portfolios" (at this linked site) yields numerous entries. Try other combinations of terms also.
http://www.ed.gov/databases/ERIC_Digests/

Preparing a Powerful Package of  Skills and Abilities
A particularly good article for its discussion of items that students have included in their portfolios and how they used them to back up their statements about their skills.
http://www.jobweb.org/jconline/resumes/portrait/default.shtml

Portfolio Preparation Tips
A companion site to Preparing a Powerful Package....
http://www.jobweb.org/JCOnline/resumes/portrait/port-pre.shtml

How to Stand out in the On-Line Career Crowd
by Steven Bonisteel.  Longish article that stresses the need for innovative personal marketing in today's job market, and considers portfolios as one of several ways.
http://www.globetechnology.com/gam/TechCareer/19981217/TWJOBS.html

Visual Aids 
Short article, with advice on constructing and using portfolios.
http://www.pioneerplanet.com/columnists/docs/LINDGREN/docs/013456.htm

On Coming Home and Career Portfolios
by Joan Richardt    Describes the portfolio as "emerging as an exciting and dynamic new career development tool."
http://changingtimes.com/0498jo14.htm

Career Portfolios: Telling Your Lifework Story
by Joan Richardt   Gives examples of how portfolios have been used in the would of work and suggests categories that may be included in career portfolios.
http://changingtimes.com/0598jo15.htm

On Assessing Career Development with Portfolios
by Juliette N. Lester and Nancy S. Perry. In ERIC Clearinghouse on Counseling and Student Service.  Professional article discussing assessment and the focus on learner-centered education and promoting educational reform.

http://www.ed.gov/databases/ERIC_Digests/ed391110.html

Electronic Portfolios: A New Idea in Assessment
by Anna Maria D. Lankes. In ERIC Clearinghouse on Information and Technology. Professional article. Describes how portfolios (at the K-12 level) can be used to demonstrate students' skills and accomplishments.
http://www.ed.gov/databases/ERIC_Digests/ed390377.html

Acquiring Self Knowledge for Career Development
by Bettina A. Lankard. In ERIC Clearinghouse on Adult, Career and Vocational Education. (Digest #175) Professional article that sees portfolio assessment as "integral to instruction in the evolving learner-centered classroom. The portfolio concept is one way to help educators meet this challenge, giving students ownership of their work and establishing the standards by which they will be measured."
http://ericacve.org/docs/dig175.htm

Teacher Portfolio Assessment
by Peter Doolittle ERIC/AE Digest  ED385608 Apr 94  Professional article describes portfolios as they can be used in the context of assessing and improving teacher skills, but the same principles apply to other disciplines.
http://www.ed.gov/databases/ERIC_Digests/ed385608.html


Online Web/Technology Resources

Career Profile Templates
Site allows you to create your own eResume with free "templates" and "easy" how-to directions. Offers website hosting at a fee.
http://www.careerhunters.com/Directory/Templates/

Microsoft's eResume how to site
Basic information only, but many other similar sites can be found.
http://content.careers.msn.com/gh_res_htg_elec.html

Free Website Hosting
Links to various sites that offer free space for Web sites. Amount of space, help available and conditions of hosting vary.
http://www.tech-sol.net/interlinks/site-hosting.htm

Keeboo
An interesting free, downloadable program that may help you to make portfolios easier - not quite online, but viewable by browser. Take the 4 minutes to watch the demonstration
http://www.keeboo.com/ENU/1/index.html


 

(For more information on portfolios, see Portfolio Basics and Starting Your Portfolio Collection.)
http://depts.washington.edu/geogjobs/pfolbasc.html
http://depts.washington.edu/geogjobs/pfolcol.html


To contact me:
duttro@u.washington.edu
Career Resources Coordinator, Dept of Geography, Box 353550
University of Washington, Seattle WA 98195-3550
206.685.9693
This file modified: January 13, 1999

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