Getting Your Portfolio Started

Portfolios are organized collections of images (e.g., graphic design examples, Web design work, photography), writing samples (clips), information, awards and acknowledgements that reflect your professional skills, experiences and accomplishments.

Portfolios can either be online on a website or blog or kept in a professional binder. Portfolios should be organized by skill, intuitive to the viewer and easy to explain during a job interview or networking opportunity. Portfolios should include your best work, not all of your work.

Common Portfolio Sections

• Press releases
• Lesson plans
• Teaching reflections
• Documented accomplishments
• Awards
• Campaigns or proposals (preferably both)
• News articles, feature articles
• Magazine & Internet articles
• Public service announcements (PSAs)
• PowerPoint or multimedia presentations
• Letter writing
• Research
• Layout and design
• Online work
• Brochures
• Pamphlets
• Flyers
• Newsletters
• Copyediting
• Photos
• Planning calendars & itineraries
• Excel charts for corporate organization and presentation
• Event planning checklists
• Letters of recommendation
• Resume

More resources concerning portfolios can be found on the McEwen School of Communications Career Services website or by visiting individual department websites.