Career Portfolio Project A Tool For Your Future

Career Portfolio Goals/Benefits Students recognize their strengths, abilities and interests and plan for the future Students graduate with relevant and valuable tools to utilize in their college and career pursuits A solid portfolio will build confidence and give students a definite edge in college application processes and job interviews.

Basic Components Table of Contents Cover Letter Resume Career Plan Career Preparation Research Assignment Job Shadowing-inteview Thank You Letter Community Service Achievements/Awards Talent Profile Section Portfolio Evaluation and Interview

Cover Letter and Resume Students compose a ‘sample’ cover letter to later be customized for use with career applications, interviews and other correspondence. Students generate an updated ‘one page’ resume for use with career applications and interviews.

Career Plan Discover your strengths, talents and interests Research and explore potential career paths Set goals and objectives Realize the skills, education and training necessary to achieve their goals Schedule the appropriate high school and post-secondary courses required to stay on track.

Career Preparation This section should contain evidence of preparation for your field of study: High School Transcripts SAT’s, ACT’s, PSSA’s, NOCTI and other standardized test scores Organization memberships, certifications, Co-op employer evaluations Documentation of specific events that have enhanced your career choice

Research Assignment Includes written and oral components Students follow approved format Teacher approved research topic is related to either: 1. Student’s career/technical program 2. Student’s career exploration

Job Shadowing Experience Exploring career possibilities through job shadowing yields many benefits. Select a business or organization related to your prospective field of study. Call and make an appointment. People are generally happy to help. Ask questions, take notes and obtain any brochures or printed literature they may have on their company. Write a reflection essay to include in your portfolio.

Community Service Document volunteer community service activities (3+). Community Service Opportunities may include: High school sponsored programs/activities Scouts, religious affiliations, community groups, or personal endeavors.

Achievements and Recommendations Honor roll Perfect attendance Student leadership Athletics, music, art Extra-curricular activities/clubs Letters of recommendation Others

Talent Profile Personal Contact Information High School Career Statistics and Info. Elite Events: Districts, Nationals Travel & Club Teams Coach/Director Contact Information

Portfolio Evaluation And Practice Interview Students culminate the project with a practice job interview with an evaluation team: 1. Selected team 2. Advisory Committee 3. Others

Grade Reporting Students should complete the Research by the end of first week - February Evaluations and interviews are conducted during the second and third week week -February Portfolio grades are reported during first week of March.

Final Tips The portfolio components covered in this presentation are the basics. If you possess other specialty areas, create a new section to highlight those skills and experience. Students pursuing the arts (Art, theater, music, architecture, graphic design, film) should compose a separate ‘art’ portfolio to display that work. This is your portfolio. Customize it to best suit your goals and objectives.

Suggested Timeline First day & Second day: Third-Fifth day: Sixth day: Research Assignment Draft Cover Letter, Resume and Career Plan Begin collection and documentation of other components Third-Fifth day: Job Shadow and Thank You Letter Update Resume and Career Plan Continue collection and documentation of other components Sixth day: Finalize Resume and Career Plan Finalize all components Email, flash-drive or burn CD of all files to take home Seventh- eighth day : Turn in portfolio and interview

Tool Box Helpful websites www.bls.gov www.educationplanner.org