Its purpose

2. Its purpose The portfolio is: A self-discovery journey for students. A project that helps mentors and mentees interact. A tool for students to plan for life after high school. A marketing vehicle for students to share with colleges and future employers. An experience that helps students foster a stronger belief in themselves.

3. Cover page tips What it is: The first page that serves as an introduction to the portfolio. Tips: Makeit unique. Include an index. Use photos or artwork.

4. Cover page student samples

5. Dreams page tips What it is: A place for students to talk about their life passions. Suggestion: Write a brief essay or paragraph explaining your dream and why it’s important.

6. Dreams student samples

7. Talents page tips What it is: A page for students to discuss a hobby, talent or extracurricular activity. Suggestion: Some students don’t know their talents, so be prepared to talk with them about how they spend their free time and what they enjoy.

8. Talents student samples

9. Community Outreach tips What it is: An opportunity for students to show they understand the importance of community and giving back. Suggestion: Ask students to share a volunteer experience and a lesson they learned.

10. Community outreach student samples

11. Leadership tips What it is: A chance for students to give examples of leadership they’ve shown at home, school or work. Suggestion: Share students’ definitions of a leader.

12. Leadership student samples

14. Teamwork tips What it is: A great place for future employers to read about how a student interacts with a team. Suggestion: List qualities or lessons learned from your teamwork experiences. Show photos of you in action.

15. Teamwork student samples

16. Teamwork student samples

17. Academic skills tips What it is: A place to showcase daily classroom work, tests, essays and report cards. Suggestion: List qualities or lessons learned from your teamwork experiences. Show photos of you in action.

18. Academic skills student samples

19. Resume tips What it is: A great exercise for students to learn about what future employers will want to know about them. Remember: To relax and don’t feel pressured into making this resemble an adult resume.

20. Resume student samples

21. Mission statement tips What it is: An opportunity for students to focus on a main goal for their high school career. Suggestion: Ask students to brainstorm a list of action steps to help them achieve their mission.

22. Mission statement student samples

23. Work experience tips What it is: A page to highlight experiences that have fostered responsibility and life lessons. Remember … … that many students’ work experiences aren’t paid ones yet, but they’re still just as valuable.

24. Work experience student samples

25. Recognition tips What it is: A place for students to share how they have been recognized at school, work, home or in the community. Tip: Remember that not all recognition comes through formal acknowledgments.

26. Recognitions student samples

27. Recognitions student samples

28. Where to start & how to help Don’t get overwhelmed. Talk it through. • Start a ‘portfolio bank.’ Make it unique. Remember the audience. Keep it fresh.

29. Incentives Completed sophomore portfolios are due to Project Leadership by April 15, 2009. Freshmen who want to participate in this year’s portfolio contest must turn them in by then, also. • Project Leadership will once again honor the winners of its portfolio contest at a celebration event at the end of the school year. • Stay tuned for details on prizes.