Creating a portfolio during your career will give you unique opportunities in the job market. Start writing yours now! While studying to obtain our
eDegree we have the opportunity to work on various projects and develop essential skills for our future professional career. Recording all of that in a portfolio will allow us to create a true curriculum of our learning that will speak of our dedication, seriousness, passion for our field of knowledge, and effort...
Why is a student portfolio important?
The university portfolio is much more than a collection of works; it is a reflection of the student's growth and learning.
Some of the benefits of having a portfolio are: Presentation of skills: Portfolios allow us to showcase a wide range of skills such as problem-solving, research ability, creativity, teamwork, responsibility...
Progress tracking: By including projects from different moments of the career, the portfolio becomes a tangible record of academic development.
Differentiation in the job market: A well-structured portfolio can make us stand out from other competitors in the selection processes because it will practically demonstrate our competencies. We must think that, thanks to this document, we are going to show all our evolution both academically and personally, which will make that lack of experience in the CV that bothers companies not be seen as something serious.
Reflection and learning: Creating a portfolio helps us reflect on the achievements we are accomplishing and the learning we are acquiring, which helps us better define our goals and
not lose motivation.
Tips for creating and maintaining a student portfolio
Creating a portfolio may seem like a monumental task, but it is not as heavy if we plan it well (the sooner we start, the more years we will have to complete it calmly) and carefully select the works or activities that best show what we want to highlight. Anyway, even if it is extra work that we are going to add to what we already have, the portfolio can become a very valuable tool and will more than compensate for the effort.
Here are some tips to get started: Select representative works: Not all projects should be included in the portfolio. It is essential to select those that best represent the skills and knowledge that may be useful for our future career.
Include personal reflections: Accompanying each project with reflections on the learning process and achievements adds depth to the portfolio and shows very interesting facets of our way of thinking and personality.
Keep it updated: A student portfolio is not a one-time project; it must be regularly updated to reflect continuous growth. The ideal is to work on it throughout each course and during the entire career, because each activity and work will be fresh in our memory. However, we should not overwhelm ourselves or always have it impeccable; if we see that we are overwhelmed with work, we can do it as a draft and perfect it in the moments when we are more relaxed.
Use online tools: Platforms like LinkedIn, Behance
or others allow creating digital portfolios accessible to employers and other professionals in the sector.
Inclusion of diverse projects
The student portfolio is enriched with diversity. Including projects from different areas and approaches shows our adaptability and breadth of knowledge. From research work to creative projects, variety is key to creating a good portfolio that gives an adequate image of our worth.
The best presentation tool for recruiters
In today's competitive job market, differentiation is key, and this is where a university portfolio shines and becomes an essential resource when looking for a job, as it allows us to effectively stand out to recruiters.
Demonstration of skills and competencies: As we have already said, a portfolio allows us to clearly and concisely present the skills, competencies, and knowledge acquired during our studies, which offers recruiters a deep insight into our profile as candidates.
Practical examples of work: While a resume is just a list of experiences and studies, the portfolio goes a step further and provides concrete and tangible examples of projects and work done, making it easier for recruiters to evaluate the quality and diversity of the work we have done.
Professional projection and personality: Beyond technical skills, the portfolio reveals our personality, creativity, and initiative. It shows how we approach problems, how we develop ideas, and how we execute projects, which gives a more complete and holistic image of us.
Facilitates connection with recruiters: When reviewing the portfolio, recruiters can quickly identify if the candidate's skills and projects align with the needs and values of the company, which facilitates a more effective and direct connection. Investing time and effort in building a detailed student portfolio can be decisive when it comes to success when we want to search for job opportunities. It will not only help us stand out from the crowd but will also be an authentic reflection of the growth and personal and academic development we have acquired during our studies.
