Career & Life Portfolio Development

Why not showcase the great things that students are learning as well as the great things that teachers are teaching?

One of the obstacles to incorporating career development into the various subject areas is that career guidance is often viewed as independent episodes of career counselling that are separate from classroom learning. Not true! Every lesson and activity can lend itself to providing evidence of skills that are life-building and help to develop responsible citizenship. A fun (and effective) way for students to “show what they know” is by implementing a structured portfolio program. The best part is that it takes very little lesson tweaking to achieve terrific portfolios!

Portfolios?

In an extremely competitive market, employers, parents, scholarship committees and post-secondary institutes want proof. They are asking to see results and expect claims to be backed up. Additionally, nay-sayers argue that schools just don't teach kids how to survive in “the real world.” That's why career education is so important! The development of Career and Life Portfolios provides a structured framework for goal-setting, encourages introspection, provides evidence of skills, and focuses on learner process and skill development. Portfolios can also demonstrate the link between home, school and community and assist students in marketing their skills.

Collect, Reflect, Select

This site exists to: 1) augment career development services by connecting portfolio lessons and templates to detailed activities for each grade level within the Middle Level Career Guidance curriculum, 2) help teachers to understand how their existent lessons can be used as a portfolio page, and 3) give credit to local successes.

By collecting material for the portfolio, reflecting on the importance of each piece, then selecting the best samples, students can really see where their strengths (and limitations) are.

Give your students an edge by providing them with tools to succeed early in their career exploration and preparation processes … let's make that journey purposeful.

“Students who have compiled portfolios are introspective, understand their strengths, and present a holistic view of themselves and their goals. It's quite impressive!" – Michele Gustafson, Chairperson, Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce