Digital Portfolio

Being a double major I not only had to take the business capstones but also an English capstone. One of the requirements for the class is to create a digital portfolio of your work. Ok, well that’s a cool idea but how do you go about that?

The first step is to think about what you want to display and who will be viewing it. Basically you are thinking about how your portfolio reflects you. For me, I am building my profile to showcase the diversity of my marketing and writing skills because I am not really sure what I am interested in. But for example one girl in my class is very interested in creative writing and therefore intends to only include those types of works, while someone else is focusing on her rhetorical theory pieces.

In my last two internships I have had work published in two pretty different fields, wedding content and genomics research. I decide to include these two pieces specifically because they have already been formatted and look amazing.

I know this doesn’t specifically have to go with marketing, however, while recently applying to jobs some companies ask for a website, blog or sample of your work. Once I have completed this for class credit I plan on including other work that is less writing specific so that individuals looking at my blog will be able to see the depth of my work and abilities.

I was advised to create my portfolio on Wordpress, which I have found relatively simple. And anything that I run into is easily remedied with a quick Google search. I would advise everyone in our class to begin thinking about creating a digital portfolio, because the beauty of these sites is they are not permanents and can be edited at any time.

Here is a link to my blog if anyone is interested, it is still a huge work in progress. 

Personal Branding

When RGA visited Jocelyn gave a presentation on Personal Branding, which I found to be really funny. She broke down finding a job into four easy steps that are very relatable for college students:

1. Identify and stalk
2. Flirt
3. Date well
4. Get married and work at it

First you need to identify and stalk the company you are interested in. Research what they do, and begin following them on social media sites to keep up to date with their projects and needs. At this point you want to be identifiable as well, know what you are passionate about and let your online presents go away. In todays age of technology an online presents in more important then ever before.

Second you are going to want to “flirt” with the company you’re interested in. Be available; show that you are active on social networks and within communities. Be approachable, show that you are interested in them. Like dating, finding a job is a two way street. It is also advised that you know what you are talking about, so many times people put their foot in their mouths because they are not knowledgeable.

In the third step, we being dating. This is pretty simple, be where they are, reflect who you want to attract and don’t be too desperate. In this part I think of a saying my mom has used: birds of a feather flock together. To be included you need to show that you are similar, which gives you things to talk about and activities to do together… ending in friendship.

The final step is get married and work at! At this point you will have been hired and you need to work at getting to know the ins and outs of the company.