Online Portfolios, or “WOW! Look at Everything I’ve Done!”
June 15th, 2004Kim Moody has written an excellent article on online portfolios in the recent entries from LIS Career (a site that is begging for an RSS Feed, BTW). She explains in full detail how and why librarians should create an online portfolio. A quote:
“A portfolio, as you may well be aware, is a collection of examples of your work, organised in an accessible way. Traditionally associated with the visual arts, portfolios can in fact be used to showcase a variety of different skill sets, and are becoming popular in the library sphere. The benefits of creating a professional portfolio include:
–The creation process enables you to organise in your own mind how the specific skills you have attained relate to each other, to specific selection criteria, and to your role as an LIS professional.
–Looking back over your portfolio periodically provides intellectual fuel for reflection, helping you to attain a sense of progress and insight into your own abilities.
–The portfolio, containing examples of your best work across a number of skill sets, streamlines the preparation of job applications – your portfolio is your own personal one-stop reference resource about yourself.
–The portfolio can be presented to prospective employers, providing concrete examples of your expertise.”
I highly recommend reading the entire article. One of these days, I’ll have to do something like this. An online portfolio described by Moody could only enhance our professional development activities (including writing, presenting at conferences, and looking for employment).
I like the part on reflection. As I’ve mentioned in the past, I think it’s a good idea to step back and look back at the professional work that I have done over the past year and see if there needs to be some sort of adjustment. Is my blogging flat? Is it boring? Do I need to change the issues that I write about? Should I stop blogging? Take a hiatus? Reflection is good. Very good.