How do you create and maintain a community outreach portfolio that showcases your methods and achievements?
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The first step to creating a community outreach portfolio is to decide on a format that suits your needs and preferences. You can use a digital platform, such as a website, blog, or social media account, or a physical binder, folder, or booklet. The advantages of a digital portfolio are that it is easy to update, share, and access, and that it can include multimedia elements, such as photos, videos, and audio. The advantages of a physical portfolio are that it is more tangible, personal, and creative, and that it can be presented in different settings, such as interviews, meetings, or events.
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I am choosing to digitally curate a portfolio of the work I have been doing. I have noticed that some chances to partner with organizations or serve as a conference speaker include space for a URL so that decision-makers can review a record of my past work. I have also learned that some of my contacts employed by the government cannot always accept email attachments, even if it is a one-page PDF for security reasons. This makes it extra helpful to have a link to a document sharing site. I have found that providing a link to a file through Google Drive is acceptable whenever sending a file is not. Consider this extra encouragement to have even digital copies available in multiple formats!
The next step is to select the content for your portfolio, which can vary depending on your goals, audience, and style. Examples of content to consider are a resume or CV that emphasizes your education and work experience, a statement of purpose that outlines your motivation and vision for community outreach, a summary of your methods for engaging with the target community, a showcase of projects or initiatives with details on objectives, activities, outcomes, and impacts, a portfolio of products created or contributed to, feedback from community members or supervisors attesting to performance and quality, and a reflection on learning, challenges, and achievements.
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Testimonials from clients are also a great item to include for digital portfolios. I am always cautious about including examples of completed projects and advise my students to always get permission before adding actual project examples. Additionally, I advise only including a “teaser” of the project—whatever portion of the work you think showcases your strengths best. I’m always concerned with protecting intellectual property and your ideas are how you make a living!
The third step is to organize your portfolio in a way that is clear, coherent, and compelling. You can structure your portfolio chronologically, thematically, functionally, or targeted to the specific needs and interests of your intended audience. For example, arrange your content according to the time sequence of your community outreach experience, group it according to the themes or topics of your work, categorize it according to the functions or roles you perform, or tailor it to the needs and interests of employers, funders, partners, or stakeholders.
The fourth step is to update your portfolio regularly to ensure it is reflective of your ongoing community outreach work and development. You can incorporate various strategies to keep your portfolio fresh and relevant, including adding new content that showcases your latest projects, products, or achievements. Additionally, consider removing outdated or irrelevant content that no longer represents your current skills, experience, or goals. Furthermore, revise existing content to improve its quality, accuracy, or clarity. Lastly, solicit feedback from others on your portfolio to identify its strengths and weaknesses and determine areas for improvement.
The final step is to share your portfolio with others to promote your community outreach work and network. You can use different channels, such as your website, blog, or social media account, to disseminate your portfolio and link it to your email signature, online profile, or resume. Additionally, you can print your portfolio or save it on a USB drive and bring it to interviews, meetings, or events. Don't forget to tell others about your portfolio and ask them to check it out or share it with their contacts. By following these steps, you can create and maintain a portfolio that reflects your work and development as a community outreach professional.
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