Students create ePortfolios to stand out during application process
Are you looking for a job or thinking about applying to graduate school? An ePortfolio is a great way to stand out during the application process. According to the ePortfolio website from Auburn University Writing, “ePortfolios are professional websites that showcase skills, experiences, and learning with diverse artifacts and reflective writing.” The website has examples and resources for students looking to create or update their ePortfolio. University Writing has many resources in place to help you throughout the process. For example, students can make an appointment with the Miller Writing Center for feedback on their ePortfolio.
Many professional development or major classes require students to create an ePortfolio to house their work. ePortfolios are relevant and useful for any field or major. Common platforms include Wix, Weebly, and WordPress. Designing a website is a great skill to add to your resume and talk about during job interviews. An ePortfolio allows you to go beyond the typical content of a resume and cover letters by allowing you to showcase your personality.
Much like a resume, an ePortfolio is a living document, meaning that it is consistently being edited and updated. Some important things to highlight include class projects, completed courses, internship and work experience, and leadership or volunteer experience. While resumes are often limited to one page, ePortfolios allow you to express your creativity and design preferences.
Annie Small, a graduate program assistant with University Writing, reflected on her ePortfolio process. One advantage for her was that “creating the ePortfolio helped [her] realize how much [she has] done and... grown.” Creating an ePortfolio is a great chance to reflect and learn more about yourself as a person. One piece of advice she offers to students wanting to create an ePortfolio is to identify the purpose in doing so. This decision is important because it guides design and decisions. For example, “If you are going into graduate school, you might make a more well-rounded portfolio showing your classes, extracurriculars, research experiences and passion”
Although creating an ePortfolio is a lot of work, it is a very rewarding process. Being able to identify the purpose in creating the website makes the process easier overall. When writing on your website, Small recommends answering questions like “why you partook in that experience, what you gained and how it will help you in the future or with the position/school you are applying for.”