1. Career Portfolio Project
A Tool For Your Future

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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.

9. 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.

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

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

12. 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

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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
, flash-drive or burn CD of all files to take home
Seventh- eighth day : Turn in portfolio and interview

16. Tool Box
Helpful websites