Portfolio Information

The portfolio serves as a comprehensive showcase of a student's work, skills, and learning throughout the MLIS program. It enhances job searches by offering concrete examples of professional competencies and can be shared on platforms like LinkedIn to strengthen one's professional profile. The portfolio demonstrates high-quality writing, technological proficiency, industry knowledge, and clear communication skills. It reflects a student’s practical learning across core areas of librarianship, including research, leadership, and information services, and also highlights their versatility for roles in various library settings. Additionally, creating the portfolio reinforces key skills in organization and presentation, provides a chance to revisit and reflect on academic growth, and aligns with ALA accreditation standards, making it a valuable tool for interview preparation and professional development. 

The final portfolio is not calculated into grades in any way, and therefore does not affect the final GPA. However, while the portfolio does not affect the final GPA, it is a requirement for graduation. Students will not graduate without a passing portfolio. The Graduate School at USC requires a culminating project for any graduate degree (i.e., a thesis, portfolio, dissertation, etc.), so the portfolio is the required culminating project for the MLIS. The portfolio is also required for accreditation from the American Library Association. 

Portfolio grading typically occurs within one week of the submission deadline. In the fall, timelines may shift slightly due to Thanksgiving, but in the spring, reviews are generally returned within a week. Additional revision deadlines are available if needed,

Don’t wait until the last minute! If you contact someone very close to the deadline (e.g., at 5 PM on a day when the deadline is 11:59 PM), help may not be possible, and you’ll have to accept the consequences of procrastination. Before reaching out, check the iSchool Graduate Students Blackboard Organization, which has FAQs, examples, and assignment details. If you still have questions after reviewing those resources, contact the Graduate Student Services Manager, Ellyn Domanico (domanico@email.sc.edu), who can assist where possible.

Yes. ISCI 720 is designed to be taken in the final semester alongside the internship, which is also when the portfolio is due. Any required work from ISCI 720 that goes into the portfolio will be structured to meet the portfolio deadline.

Theoretically, yes, but it has not been an issue in previous portfolios. A good target is 300–500 words per reflection. Anything less may not show enough depth. It is better to err on the side of more reflection rather than too little.