Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Nine Steps to a Professional Portfolio

By: Blaire Gunderson

I came across a very helpful book today while I was working in the office. It is called "How to Prepare Your Portfolio: A Guide for Students and Professionals" by Ed Marquand. Within this book, the author touches on nine specific steps involved in creating a professional portfolio. I have mapped out these steps for you, as well as included examples relative to being a Purdue student. These instructions will hopefully help you put a portfolio together as you begin to interview for internships and jobs.

(1) Determine what you want your portfolio to do for you and what kind of portfolio you need.

  • What is your major? How does this factor alter what your portfolio should look like? Ex: How would an engineers' portfolio differ from a design major's portfolio?
(2) Determine what type of professional you are and where you are likely to find your best opportunities.
  • Have you recently checked myCCO for job listings applicable to you and your interests?
  • Have you made a LinkedIn account and followed companies that you would like to work for/learn more about?
(3) Compile, edit and select your work to include.
  • Search your computer for projects appropriate for your portfolio
(4) Select a binder and format for your portfolio
  • It's always nice to make it as ascetically appealing as possible. 
(5) Organize your work graphically or thematically
  • Which way best highlights your work and accomplishments?
(6) Concert your work to a size that will fit your portfolio format
  • Double check that doing so doesn't compensate for the quality of your work.
(7) Assemble all the pieces. 

(8) Review your resume of leave-behinds.
  • Remember, you can always get your resume critiqued here at the LACD office or at the CCO, located in Young Hall.
(9) Keep samples, and document your work.
  • This is incase you loose your original portfolio or if a company asks to keep it with them.

Good luck on creating your portfolio!




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