Student portfolios: a tool to enhance the traditional job search

Student portfolios are a tool that academic institutions can implement to enhance students ’ job search processes. Students can enhance their ability to pass the initial screening process by preparing a portfolio that identifies their goals and provides evidence that they possess the skills and qualities to reach these goals. The portfolio should emphasize communication skills, as they are deemed most important by employers in the initial screening process. When preparing a portfolio, students should consider a variety of media, including paper, videotape, and compact disk. Schools that implement student portfolios must decide if all students will be required to prepare them, if the administra-tors will determine the contents, and who will approve the contents of stu-dents ’ portfolios. Key words: Portfolios, job search, demonstrating communication skills TRA D I TI 10 NA L LY, portfolios have been a compilation of papersRA D I T I O that represent the quality of one’s work. Professionals and organiza-tions have been successful in using them to display their abilities and skills to potential clients. For example, schools of business and engi-neering use portfolios in the process of attaining accreditation fro