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The MPA Portfolio |
A professional portfolio consists
of materials representative of one’s work. It is a systematic collection of exemplary
accomplishments and a demonstration of one’s skills and abilities. The
portfolio approach to developing one’s career should continue after graduation.
As such, the portfolio serves both as a documentation of past accomplishments
and as a planning tool for the future.
The portfolio becomes is an
integral part of MPA program requirements. MPA students start building this
document when they first enter the program. They will add to the documentation,
as their skills and abilities as students and professionals progress. The
portfolio should be reviewed with the program director at least once
a year or as part of the advising process to identify any areas that the
individual might have neglected. Before graduation each student should schedule
time to have their entire document peer reviewed and critiqued.
The portfolio should cover the
following areas:
Career Goals
Career
goals will change, but writing them down will help you focus
Academic Preparation
Core
courses
Specialization/Concentration
Course
integration
Specialized
skills, languages
Professional Growth and Continuing Education
workshops
conferences
professional
and academic associations memberships
(active membership,
officer)
managerial
competencies, leadership
individual
efforts (reflection on strengths, weaknesses)
professional
standards and ethics (keep personal journal on encounters with ethical problems and the handling
of these dilemmas; knowledge of ethics
standards pertinent to the chosen professional field)
Public Service
volunteer
activities in civic or religious organziations
community
organizing, activities
Internship
Organization,
agency
Assignments,
activities
Supervisor(s),
mentors
Internship
paper (see guidelines)
Other work experience
Résumé
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Organization and Presentation of Materials |
A portfolio should be tailored in its organization and presentation to
the individual’s needs, and should highlight points appropriate for the
occasion the portfolio might be used (e.g. job interview).
Some ideas for consideration:
The portfolio is most easily
arranged in a loose-leaf format that allows adding and deleting of materials over time. Some items may be included in their
appropriate sections others in an appendix;
You might want to build portions of
your portfolio on computer so that it can be easily updated;
Presentation:
Think in terms of a professional
presentation;
Be concerned with captions,
labeling, listings (as opposed to long narratives),
borders, charts, computer graphics etc.;
Be consistent in your use of fonts
and style;
For the reviewer there should be:
a table of contents
summary statements at the beginning
of sections
guidelines, i.e., explain to the
reader the significance of a document or paper included or the relevance of a
membership, activity vis-à-vis your
stated goals.
Updated 6/30/99