To "e" or Not to "e"...

Today I’d like to introduce the concept of having a professional portfolio.  This concept is not new. In any field a collection of one’s work acquired over time is almost inevitable; but the carefully planning out of which projects/works will be seen and how each example will be used to assist in boosting one’s career, takes planning.  With technology available today, anyone has the potential to exemplify amazing things with their life’s work and with a carefully thought out plan; an ePortfolio is an excellent starting point.

This past week, while working through a lunch shift, I proceeded to serve two gentlemen in my section.  Throughout their meal both gentlemen were extremely pleasant and randomly asked me questions about my future.  They had a bet going between them – which they shared with me towards the end of their meal – and was curious as to my career path.  As I answered their questions with passion and excitement, they smiled and continued to educate me on a new thought process, idea, or concept they had adapted in their philosophy of work.  Loving every minute of it, I asked questions and overall learned something new from each of them.  At the end of their meal one of the gentlemen gave me contact information for a colleague and told me to reach out for networking purposes.

Prior to beginning this Spring Semester, I began researching marketing tactics on how to get my name more out there in the business world.  I want to be a Master Networker, so with this goal in mind, I would look for new and upcoming strategies to be “top of mind” to other networkers and clients. I began looking up information on resume’s and the “what not to do’s” of resume writing, then it occurred to me; I’d like my resume to be in a website.  Unsure of where to begin, I continued to read articles that delved into the thought process of the paper resume disappearing in the next ten years and employers switching to online portfolios and personal webpages.  All of this was a little overwhelming to take in – I mean, I still prefer a regular paperback book to an ebook any day. 

As I continued, the above thought process, along with one of my Professors from UTSA, sold me on the idea of having a professional ePortfolio.  I had heard of having a professional portfolio for modeling or for just about any career in the arts, but it still had not completely sunk in that the need for my career to have an ePortfolio was relevant; until now.  So, I did some research… Out of the different people I found in the field of consulting one in particular stood out to me. 

Anthony A. Chiaravallo, a PR and Marketing strategist caught my full attention.  Prior to searching for other independent business consultants, I had never heard of him.  His webpage is exceptionally well written and planned, visual, and slightly entertaining to review. I loved the idea of adding blurbs of his “background”, “Method” and “Results” to inform his viewer of more than the “normal”.  The client doesn’t have to guess as to what he does; Mr. Chiaravallo comes right out and tells you.  His page consists of 1.) Why he’s qualified, 2.) How he does it, and 3.) Who he’s already done it for.  Furthermore, he goes into more detail about his particular expertise and lists not only his clientele but examples of the work he has completed with each. He then includes a “contact” forum and links to his professional blog. 

This completely blew my mind.  The thought and time put into a project like this must have been tremendous.  Questions filled my brain – Where do I start? – What do I include? – What do I leave out?  I Once again began looking further into the necessities of what some thought made an excellent ePortfolio, check out this page to see some of what I found.

Alright folks, here it is.  My weekly blog challenge to you.  While planning what to include in my ePortfolio – coming soon May 2018 – I went back into several different hard drives, and prior laptops to find works I had completely forgotten about.  While looking at some of the work that I’ve completed, and some incomplete, a spark ignited in me to not only show my progress over the years, but to possibly complete some of the things I had left lingering.  So! This week I challenge you to take some time and look at prior projects or work that you’ve started and either finished or left incomplete.  I dare you to make a finished project better or to complete an unfinished one. Even if you choose not to complete an ePortfolio for your particular career, it’ll be fun to see how far you’ve come.  You never know what you’ll find, or what passion may be rekindled. 

As always feel free to comment below, share some of your work, or leave your thoughts for me to read.  Let me know what I can do better, or what I may have missed.  Have a great week everyone. Happy Easter!