A portfolio website is a website that showcases an individual's work and achievements in a specific field. In the case of engineering, a portfolio website can include examples of projects you have worked on, their technical skills, education, and work experience. For our purposes, the reason we have you create a portfolio website include:

• This builds a "Digital Resume/Portfolio of Work" that you can utilize to professionally document & rapidly advance your career ahead of your peers

• These formats will develop & enforce good presentation skills utilizing multiple forms of presentation media (written, auditory, & visual) simultaneously/collaboratively, and make the most effective presentations

• This is the most effective way for us to view, assess, & grade your work to provide you with timely feedback and support

Beyond schoolwork, having a portfolio website is highly beneficial for your future goals and career for several reasons:

• Visibly Demonstrating Skills and Expertise: A portfolio website provides a platform for engineers to showcase their technical skills, expertise, and accomplishments. It allows potential employers to see the types of projects they have worked on, the tools and technologies they have used, and their problem-solving abilities.

• Building a Personal Brand: A portfolio website allows engineers to establish a personal brand and present themselves in a professional manner. It can help them differentiate themselves from other candidates and create a positive impression with potential employers.

• Increasing Visibility and Reach: A portfolio website can help engineers reach a wider audience, including potential clients and collaborators. It provides an online presence that can be easily shared on social media, professional networks, and other platforms.

• Continuous Learning and Improvement: A portfolio website can also serve as a platform for ongoing learning and improvement. Engineers can showcase their latest projects and skills, receive feedback and comments, and connect with other professionals in their field.

Below are a couple student portfolios that have very good things going for them (one is from CPTC!), so check these out for inspiration, as well!

1.2✔ CHECKPOINT

Create/Publish Your Portfolio Website

If you do not already have a portfolio website, please follow the instructions below to get one started, and contact your instructor with any questions/concerns:

1. Create a Portfolio website

   1. We currently recommend using Google Sites - if this is your first time building a website as it is free, quick, and easy to use (if you have other, better recommendation/preferences, please let us know!)

      • Note: To use Google Sites, it does you to have & use a Google Account (hence the previous Checkpoint)

   2. Edit & Organize your Portfolio website

      • Recommendations from us include:

        • Limited/restricting the amount of personal information you share. For purposes of using this portfolio to network and acquire jobs/promotions, the minimum personal information you would need would be your full name (First Last) and a contact information (professional e-mail, at least)

        • Organize pages for projects by category. Some possible recommendations include:

          • Projects you do outside of school vs. projects you do at school, vs. projects you do at work, etc.

          • Creating separate pages for each course you are taking, and sub-pages for the various projects/challenges you complete

          • Project categories (ex: CAD, CAM, CNC, Mechatronics, Robotics, Welding, etc.)

        • Be Professional. Do not utilize your portfolio website as a rant blog to post about the coffee you got this morning or talk about politics, religion, etc.

        • Make it your own! Add flair, choose different colors/styles, try different layouts, etc.

   3. Publish your Portfolio website & submit the URL to the Checkpoint in Canvas