The Careers and Portfolio class is a semester based course designed for students who are undecided about their educational or career goals. Using a career planning process, students assess interests, skills, personality, values, life and work style choices. Students explore cultural differences and gain an awareness which is applied to work setting. Students research potential educational and careers goals; and relate their self-assessment information to occupational possibilities and college majors.
Please use the Careers and Portfolio website to drive your lessons for the careers part of this course.
The careers and portfolio materials for this course are downloadable at the bottom of this page...
PORTFOLIO GUIDELINES
Your portfolio may be used to apply to Jobs, Schools, Programs, Scholarships, Awards, etc.
The portfolio is your history of your high school career (grades 9 through 12) as you would like it told to employers, schools, or scholarship review committees. At a minimum, it should include the materials listed in this packet. You may addnew information and documentation to the portfolio at any time during your high school years.
Check with your careers and portfolio teacher and career advisor/counselor frequently during your high school years to make sure your portfolio is up-to-date to ensure that you are ready to submit applications for jobs, schools, and/or scholarships with letters of reference and cover letters.
GENERAL GUIDELINES
1. Check with your school career advisor/counselor and/or careers/portfolio teacher in the beginning of your freshman year to get started.
2. Using a computer is recommended. The final document should be completed on a letter-quality printer and on white paper.
3. You should have at least three people proofread all material that you include in the portfolio. There should be no errors! Use spell-check!
4. Each page should be enclosed in a non-glare plastic sheet protector, front side only. Use sheet protectors with an additional extender strip outside the normal 8.5" x 11" sheet (so you will not punch holes in documents). This will allow you to make cleaner copies. The copier will copy through the plastic.
5. Mark the beginning of each section with a press-on clear tab, except the title page. Use the section titles listed under "Contents Check List" (see below). Do not place a page at the beginning of each section with the section title printed on the page.
6. Submit the portfolio in a three-ring binder with a hard cover. Try not to use a binder that is that is over-sized for what you have included. (Do not use a three-inch binder if a one-inch binder will do.)
7. Your portfolio will be graded on Content, Presentation, Attitude, Effort, and Autobiography. (See Portfolio Rubric)
8. When you receive a scholarship, award, or job interview remember to send a thank you note.
CONTENTS CHECK LIST
Your portfolio should contain the following section titles, in this order:
*You will also create an electronic version of this portfolio*
1. Title Page (Do not tab this page.)
Include your name, the name of your school, year of graduation, and your picture. Recommended picture size is 2" x 3".
2. Personal Essay (Tab) (1.5 to 2 pages, double-spaced)
The personal essay may include a variety of topics. Examples include information about your family, where you have lived, your accomplishments, your future plans for your post-secondary education, why you chose your major, a role model,person or event that inspired you, your career goals, where you hope to live, and plans for financing your post- secondary education.
3. Academic Information (Tab)
Include a copy of your transcript (unofficial and updated), the latest GPA highlighted with a yellow marker. After your transcript, include "Current Classes" This must be followed by SAT and/or ACT, official score report(s). WorkKeys certificates scores may be included. Your transcript should show your High School Qualifying Exam results if you have taken it.
4. Activities and Awards (Tab) (samples enclosed)
Include, in this order, the enclosed "School Activities," "Community Activities," "Work Experience," and "Recognition and Awards" sheets. In addition, in this section it is important that you include documentation or proof of activities, work experience, and awards (certificates, programs, newspaper articles, verification of employment, congratulatory letters, pictures of trophies or ribbons, etc.). Include documentation from grades 7-12 only.
5. Recommendations (Tab)
List the names and positions of the people who have written you letters. Include three letters (two from school staff members and one from a person outside of school), but no more that four.
It is best to use adults who know you well. You should include teachers and high school staff members, employers, and community leaders and family friends. Give each person adequate time to write your letter (at least 2-3 weeks) andremember to show your appreciation with a thank you note.
6. Financial Information (Tab) (sample enclosed)
To estimate your costs for higher education beyond high school, use the Internet (www.collegeboard.com) or specific schools' websites. You must plan costs and resources for one year. Do not include any dollars you expect to borrow. Use the enclosed "Budget" sheet. Make additional copies if you are applying to more than 3 schools.
It is acceptable that your parent(s)/guardian(s) write their own statement giving general information about family finances, financial need, or unusual or exceptional circumstances. Place this statement behind the budget sheet.
7. School Acceptances (Tab)
When you first submit your portfolio, list the school or institution to which you are applying. This acts as a placeholder. Later, as acceptance letters arrive, include them in your portfolio behind the school list.
8. Other Information (Optional) (Tab)
Use this section to demonstrate anything that is significant in your life, yet did not fit into any previous sections. Do not use it to make your folder "thicker." Many students do not include an "Other Information" section at all because their materials were all mentioned and documented previously in the portfolio. Your resume may be included in this section.
9. Appreciation Statement (Tab)
This is a short statement showing appreciation to those who took the time to review your portfolio. Be sure to sign the statement using black ink.
PORTFOLIO SHOPPING LIST
This list can be used in preparing to make a portfolio during your high school freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior year. Your completed portfolio is submitted to your Careers/Portfolio teacher and your career advisor at your school district. Check with your advisor at your school site for due dates.
The following is a suggested list of materials needed to assemble your portfolio.
Three-ring binder, hard cover - Use the size that is appropriate for the materials in the portfolio. (Don't use a 3" binder when a 1" binder will do.) Color: blue, black, gray, burgundy, etc. It needs to look professional.
Paper - Use good quality white paper. It should be used consistently throughout the portfolio. Use the same paper for mounting materials on and as backing for two-sided documents.
Plastic sheet protectors - Must be pocket type. The non-glare finish works the best. Photocopies can be made of the original document through the plastic. Make sure there is an extender strip on the left side so you don't have to punch holes inthe original document.
Index Tabs - You will need to refer to the "Student Portfolio Contents" page in the guidelines packet to determine how many tabs you will need to buy. Clear, self-adhesive index tabs with paper inserts are preferred. The tabs must extend pastthe portfolio contents. Protector sheets with tabs pre-made on the side with paper inserts are acceptable. Do not use numbered tabs with an index.
Yellow highlighter - Not only will items highlighted in yellow draw attention, they will also photocopy without leaving a black mark. Other colors will leave a dark mark when photocopied.
PORTFOLIO RUBRIC