NMRT (New Members Round Table)

Hey everyone, 

When many of us graduate, we have to create an online portfolio to showcase what we have learned and the skills we have acquired while getting our degrees. I was wondering how you all feel about these portfolios, and if you kept updating as you gain new experience. 

I was super proud of my portfolio, because it was a visual reminder of the hours I spent researching and writing papers, and collaborating on group projects. Now that I have a full time librarian job, I am unsure if I should keep adding my new experiences making programs, displays, and outreaches and mold the site to be less school based and more career based.

My portfolio hasn't been updated in a year, and some of it feels very cringey now, but here is the link if anyone would like to see how theirs may be similar or different than what I was told to put while in school.

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I used google sites and thought it made the whole process of creating the portfolio easy, but if anyone has any other platforms they would like to share I am all ears.

Please share your portfolios / website if you feel up to it :)

Do you prefer a website over a portfolio, or do you mark your new experiences through Twitter or  Facebook instead?

I like the idea of showing the LIS community what I create and the thought of getting ideas from others' accomplishments as well.

Isabelle, 

For my program, we used Wix. I update mine regularly: https://lauraknjones.wixsite.com/my-site 

I have thought about this myself very often! Truth be told, I'm not even sure where that online portfolio went. I think if you are planning on job hunting again in the future it would be good to update your portfolio at least semi regularly - it can be so hard to remember all the things you have done! 

I also wonder if LinkedIn can step in as a professional portfolio. You can add things like projects and publications to your profile. Maybe this is a more "all in one" place for employers to see your accomplishments? 

I also wonder about whether or not employers are taking the time to go through these portfolios when sorting out potential candidates. If you had 50 applications it would be impossible to view 50 different portfolios. I would think a good option might be something that has a lot of visual interest that highlights big projects or accomplishments but not asking employers to do too much reading. Perhaps including a single page that includes your resume / job skills / experience on the portfolio site.

I graduated last year and while we didn't do a portfolio site, we did have to submit a resume with our final paper/exit assessment. Regarding the ability to look at multiple portfolios and the time it takes, there was a Core webinar last year about making a qualifications chart specific to the position itself, which sounds more helpful in terms of lining up skills with job descriptions, but is probably something that is more time on the applicant's end.  Here's the link to the webinar: https://ala-events.zoom.us/rec/play/zgHjO4NBO6ErM4bfqTwytsNpJHMxTqiBW_oUjRHZZ7p_vURXEGyfWn-RC24ApM_Vhw4NauEqkABH_OfS.BvRk5Lo1rr3davSX?canPlayFromShare=true&from=share_recording_detail&startTime=1654883857000&componentName=rec-play&originRequestUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fala-events.zoom.us%2Frec%2Fshare%2Fl8BWAjcTkPmsSKhVuJAzpTnfAZ3yY1urhh_rAyFkpstR9eHGQBhcnLJPFJvaGZWp.HRwtws-AqzMjIQLJ%3FstartTime%3D1654883857000
And the slides: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ic4bp6k9enpe1zo/6.10%20-%20More%20than%20Words%20-%20CORE%20Webinar.pptx?dl=0

I think the usefulness of a portfolio depends on where you are applying. If, like me, you want to work in a rural area or small organisation, then a portfolio will improve your chances because the hiring manager will have time to look at each candidate's LinkedIn page and website. During the interviews for my current position, I was asked specific questions about my online portfolio, and after I received the position the interviewers all commented on how much they liked my online portfolio.