JOBTALKS Your Career Portfolio ProjectInstructions: College to Career Indiana University Kelley School of Business C. Randall Powell, Ph.D Contents used in this presentation are adapted from Career Planning Strategies and used with the permission of the author.

Career Planning Career Planning is a journey through life Planning is a journey; not an event Journeys require a plan Wise decision-making is essential Written plans tend to succeed Submit a written project each week

Strategic Career Planning Your journey starts today Do you really expect to retire? Strategies are planned events; not haphazard situations You need a vision of your future A Strategic Plan matches goals with reality

Role of a Career Course Focuses you on strategic direction Outlines journey’s map Identifies tools to use while traveling Projects serve as written roadmap

Projects Are Driving Vehicles Projects focus on portfolio creation What do your Network Partners need? Projects are intermediate journey stops Projects are building blocks Projects create your career portfolio

What Is a Career Portfolio? A repository for your competencies Competencies are your talents Employers regularly evaluate your competencies: job interviews/job evaluations Projects support your competencies Interview info comes from your portfolio

What Are Competencies? Your VIPs Your technical talents Your soft skills (leadership/communication/organizing) Your attitude Interviewing techniques help identify your competencies

Why a Portfolio? Establish early job search plans Review graduate study admission Prepare for job promotions Start future executive search planning Assess business loans (if entrepreneurial) Obtain quick access to information for career decision-making

Course Projects Stopping points on your journey Create foundation for future Build your toolbox project by project Culminates into your Career Portfolio Prepares for lifetime of career travel

Career Portfolio Project Tactical plan to learn about careers Strategic plan to start life goal planning Final course exercise

Tactical Plan Week by week of small written projects Discuss projects weekly with Career Counselor Flexibility (if needed)--Your needs dictate Projects oriented to personal interests Recommended tracks influence project choice

Portfolio Contents-1 Selection résumés for classified ads, internet, job fairs, etc. Cover letters and other employment communications Networking resume illustrates competencies, not just history Official and unofficial course transcripts

Portfolio Contents-2 Academic projects that identify research and writing abilities Course papers that illustrate analyzing and presentation abilities List of references including work, academic, and character List of networking partners who mentor you

Portfolio Contents-3 Career test results that aid you in career decision-making Career option research/exploring options Employer research that enhances interview success Job descriptions of past and future positions

Portfolio Contents-4 Interview preparation and techniques Situational background stories for interviewing Interview presentations Practice interview results – mock interviews

Portfolio Contents-5 Potential employer contact database Informational interview results Internship reviews Job performance evaluations Part-time job recognitions and responsibilities

Portfolio Contents-6 Graduate study options Graduate study preparation results Graduate study applications Graduate study interview results Graduate study admission test results

Portfolio contents-7 Career and life goal development Career assessment results Psychological test results Salary reviews and assessments Job choice analysis

Portfolio Content Is Future Oriented Resume: Short concise background summary Networking resume: Broader picture of talents and competencies Portfolio: Collection of supporting information

Class Projects Over 20 choices Read each concise description Plan to complete at least 8 projects Choose the most useful projects Modify, if needed, with CC Career Counselor input

Project Selection Choose from Project List Choose only projects that are potentially useful to you Review a least one project each week that you think might be helpful Anticipate actually using your collection of projects

Your Final Presentation Each project forms your portfolio content Reorganize and enhance past projects Present your competencies Create a 10-minute equivalent presentation using MS word Projects form your presentation outline Your Career Portfolio is your final examination

Your Career Plan Choose projects from list Discuss additional choices with your Career Center Career Counselor staff Write at least one sentence for each project to confirm your plan “I choose this project because….”

Your Semester Plan Do it now and plan wisely Read syllabus carefully Review textbook Look to future Take your plan to your CC counselor Review your plan as semester progresses Consult your syllabus for details

If you would like to learn more, Career Planning Strategies textbook will supply additional information on this topic.If you would like to learn more, Career Planning Strategies textbook will supply additional information on this topic.