Senior Portfolio Sample

HIGH SCHOOL
CLASSROOM READY CURRICULUM

SENIOR PORTFOLIO*

AMERICAN SCHOOL COUNSELOR ASSOCIATION’S DOMAIN:

Career Development

Standard B: Students will employ strategies to achieve future career success and
satisfaction.

Competency 1. Acquire Career Information

Indicator e. Use research and information resources to obtain career
information

Indicator f. Learn to use the Internet to access career planning-
information

Academic Development

Standard C: Students will understand the relationship of academics to the world of work
and to life at home and in the community.

Competency 1. Relate School to Life Experiences

Indicator f. Understand how school success and academic
achievement enhance future career and vocational opportunities

ACTIVITY: Focus on Your Future—Senior Portfolio.
TARGET GROUP: High School (11th or 12th grade)
GOAL: Students will produce a senior portfolio.
SUMMARY:
MATERIALS:

• Instructor Notes
• Computers with Internet access for students
• Computer with the ability to project on to a large screen for the school counselor
• Projector
• Focus on Your Future PowerPoint presentation (use the provided PowerPoint

presentation. The content is repeated in the Strategies section below)
• Printed PowerPoint slides for students to review during presentation
• Handout: Sample College Application Essay Questions
• Handout: Recommendations: Student Self-Assessment
• Handout: Senior Portfolio PowerPoint

STRATEGIES:

• Introduction to the subject (see Instructor Notes, Section I)

• PowerPoint—Slide 1

Focus on Your Future - Senior Portfolio

The Spotlight is on You!

• PowerPoint—Slide 2

What is a portfolio?

Ask for student input before showing the answer; check for retention from your
introduction.

A portfolio is a compilation of your educational and work experiences and your
accomplishments. It can also highlight your goals and future plans.

• PowerPoint—Slide 3

The portfolio as a document:
 To be used when filling out applications
 To be reviewed before an interview
 To demonstrate your skills, abilities, and accomplishments

• PowerPoint—Slide 4

The portfolio as a process does the following:
 Makes you think about and reflect upon who you are
 Helps you decide on your professional goals
 Helps you realize how much you have accomplished

• PowerPoint—Slide 5

What goes into a portfolio?

Resume

• PowerPoint—Slide 6

A job resume is:
 A one-page summary of your education, skills, accomplishments, and
work experiences
 Usually your first introduction to a potential employer
 A professional reflection of you

• PowerPoint—Slide 7

Purpose of a job resume:

 For you to get a job interview
 For the employer to screen job applicants looking for those with skills and

capabilities needed for the job

• PowerPoint—Slide 8

An academic resume is:

 A one-page summary of your educational endeavors, scholastic
accomplishments, and community involvement

 Presented during a college interview appointment
 A document that sets you apart from others during the interview process

• PowerPoint—Slide 9

To start your resume:

 Go to the California Career Center (www.calcareercenter.org)
 Select “Getting a Job” from the left navigation bar
 Select Resume Writing Tips to help you develop your resume

• PowerPoint—Slide 10

What goes into a portfolio after the resume?

Resume

Cover Letter or College Essay

• PowerPoint—Slide 11

Cover Letter:

 A professional business letter of two to three paragraphs emphasizing
what you are able to contribute to the company or organization

 To be sent with your resume to a potential employer

• PowerPoint—Slide 12

To start your cover letter:
 Go to the California Career Center (www.calcareercenter.org)
 Select “Getting a Job”
 Select “Cover Letter Tips” to help you develop your cover letter

• PowerPoint—Slide 13

College Essay:
 Topics for college essays vary by college
 Refer to handout “Common College Application Essay Questions” for
additional ideas

 Check out individual college and university Admissions websites for
details.

• PowerPoint—Slide 14

What goes into a portfolio next?

 Resume
 Cover Letter and/or College Essay
 Skills and Qualities for Success Profile

• PowerPoint—Slide 15

Skills and Qualities for Success Profile:

 Skills needed to be successful in school, on the job, and in life
 Write a brief paragraph for each skill and quality you will bring to an

academic and/or career environment and provide an example of how you
have demonstrated that skill or quality
 Doing this helps you think about your valuable skills and experiences

• PowerPoint—Slide 16

Identify your skills and qualities:

 Go to the California Career Center (www.calcareercenter.org)
 Select on “Career Options” from the left navigation bar
 Select “Skills and Qualities for the 21st Century World of Work”
 At the bottom of the page, select “Skills and Quality Activity”
 Complete the activity and save it in your “My Stuff” account or download

the activity and select the areas you believe are strengths for you
 These are the skills and qualities you will address in your brief

paragraphs

• PowerPoint—Slide 17

What else goes into a portfolio?

 Resume
 Cover Letter and/or College Essay
 Skills and Qualities for Success Profile
 Unofficial Transcript

• PowerPoint—Slide 18

Unofficial Transcript:

 List of school courses and grades
 An official transcript must be spent directly from your school, an unsealed

transcript in your possession is unofficial

• PowerPoint—Slide 19

What goes into a portfolio after transcripts?

 Resume
 Cover Letter and/or College Essay
 Skills and Qualities for Success Profile
 Unofficial Transcript
 Evaluation/Recommendation

• PowerPoint—Slide 20

Evaluation/Recommendation:

 Work evaluation from a current or recent employer reviewing your work
performance

 Letter of recommendation from a teacher, school counselor, or a
community leader; refer to handout: “Recommendations: Student Self-
assessment” to help you assist anyone who will be writing you a letter of
recommendation

• PowerPoint—Slide 21

What goes into a portfolio after evaluations?

 Resume
 Cover Letter and/or College Essay
 Skills and Qualities for Success Profile
 Unofficial Transcript
 Evaluation/Recommendation
 Awards and Recognitions

• PowerPoint—Slide 22

Awards and Recognitions:

 Certificates for academic achievements
 Certificates for athletic competitions
 Certificates for completion in Regional Occupational Program courses or

Career Technical Education courses
 Certificates for perfect attendance

• PowerPoint—Slide 23

What is the last item to go into a portfolio?

 Resume

 Cover Letter and/or College Essay
 Skills and Qualities for Success Profile
 Unofficial Transcript
 Evaluation/Recommendation
 Awards and Recognitions
 Outstanding Work Samples

• PowerPoint—Slide 24

Outstanding Work Samples:

 Essays
 Class Projects
 Research Project
 Art Work

• PowerPoint—Slide 25

This is how you spotlight yourself!

 Resume
 Cover Letter and/or College Essay
 Skills and Qualities for Success Profile
 Unofficial Transcript
 Evaluation/Recommendation
 Awards and Recognitions
 Outstanding Work Samples

Now focus on your future!

• Closing Statements (see Instructor Notes, Section II)

ESTIMATED TIME: 2 class periods and several homework hours

EVALUATION TOOL: Survey (to be completed after the portfolio has been completed)

I feel the information I learned while doing the senior portfolio was (1) Very Helpful, (2) Helpful,
(3) Somewhat helpful as I think about and plan for my future.

* PowerPoint presentation adapted from material developed by Ms. Amy Hubbard, Career
Counselor, MA, LLPC, TLLP.

HIGH SCHOOL
COMMON COLLEGE APPLICATION ESSAY QUESTIONS*

HANDOUT

The following are representative topics from the Common Application:
• Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma
you have faced and describe its impact on you.
• Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its
importance to you.
• Indicate a person who has been a significant influence on you and describe that
influence.
• Describe a character in fiction, a historical character, or a creative work (as in art, music,
science, etc.) that has had an influence on you and describe that influence.
• A range of academic interests, personal perspectives and life experiences adds much to
the educational mix. Given your personal background, describe an experience that
illustrates what you would bring to the diversity in a college community, or an encounter
that illustrates the importance of diversity to you.

Other commonly asked essay questions:
• If you could travel through time and interview a prominent figure in the arts, politics,
religion or science, whom would you choose, and why?
• Tell us about a teacher who has had a significant impact on your intellectual growth, and
discuss that impact.
• Ask and answer the one important question that you wish we had asked.
• Explain why a particular day in the recent past continues to be important to you.

* Adapted from the College Counseling Sourcebook, 6th edition. 2009 The College Board.
Permission granted to copy this for educational purposes.

HIGH SCHOOL
RECOMMENDATIONS: STUDENT SELF-ASSESSMENT

HANDOUT

This form will assist a teacher and/or school counselor in writing you a letter of
recommendation. The more specific details you can give, the more thorough your college
recommendation will be. Expect to spend several hours completing this task.
Name:_______________________________________
Date:________________________________________

• School activities: List the activities in which you have participated, the number of years
and the amount of time per week you spent, and what you have gained or learned from
each activity. Consider artistic, literary, community service and leadership positions.

• Which activity was most important to you? Why?
• What do you consider your most important activities outside of school? List your jobs

(paid or voluntary), religious activities, hobbies, travel, music, art, and drama. Include the
number of years of your involvement and the amount of time you spent on the activity
weekly, and explain why this activity was significant to you.
• In and/or out of school, what awards and honors have you received? Which elected
offices have you held?

• What book(s) have had the greatest impact on you? Why?
• Describe the academic accomplishment (major paper, science experiment, and/or

artistic project) you are most proud of, and tell why you take pride in it.

• How do you learn best? Which academic settings or assignments make you thrive?
What interests you?

• List your three most distinguishing or most admirable qualities. Explain each in several
sentences.

• What do you hope to accomplish in college and after? Consider your career goals and
your broader goals.

* Adapted from the College Counseling Sourcebook, 6th edition. 2009 The College Board.
Permission granted to copy this for educational purposes.

HIGH SCHOOL
INSTRUCTOR NOTES ON

SENIOR PORTFOLIO

There are many ways to approach this lesson on writing a senior portfolio. The lesson format
outlines the contents of the portfolio, but the structuring of the work product is up to the educator
assigning the work. The elements can be written over a protracted period of time like a quarter
or a semester as assigned by an educator working with a group of students. It could be done as
an assignment for an academic or career technical education course. Implement this material to
best meet the needs of your students.

I. Introduction to the subject:

Your portfolio will start you thinking about the specifics of career and college preparation.
You will be “selling” who you are. The New World Dictionary defines the word portfolio as “a
selection of representative works.” During this assignment you will collect “representative
works” from your educational experiences, your work experiences, and your school and
community accomplishments. You will put them into a professional format to share with
potential employers and/or post-secondary educational institutions. This is your future!

II. Closing statements:

Your senior portfolio is one of the most important documents you have prepared this year. It
is reflective of who you are, what you know, and what you can do as evidenced by the work
samples and awards. It should be periodically updated to keep it current. Use it to showcase
yourself as you focus on your future.

III. Collecting Results Data:

Process Data: Number of students who completed a senior portfolio.

Perception Data – Survey (after the portfolio has been completed)

I feel the information I learned while doing the senior portfolio was (1) Very Helpful,
(2) Helpful, (3) Somewhat Helpful as I think about and plan for my future (short-term data).

SENIOR PORTFOLIO POWERPOINT STUDENT HANDOUT

Slide 1

California Career Center

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Slide 2

What is a portfolio?

 A portfolio is a compilation of your
educational and work experiences and
your accomplishments. It can also
highlight your goals and future plans.

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Slide 3

The portfolio as a document:

 To be used when filling out applications
 To be reviewed before an interview
 To demonstrate your skills, abilities, and

accomplishments

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Slide 4

The portfolio as a process
does the following:

 Makes you think about and reflect
upon who you are

 Helps you decide on your professional
goals

 Helps you realize how much you have
accomplished

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Slide 5

What goes into a portfolio?

 Resume

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Slide 6

A job resume is:

 A one-page summary of your education,
skills, accomplishments, and work
experiences

 Usually your first introduction to a potential
employer

 A professional reflection of you

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Slide 7

Purpose of a job resume:

 For you to get a job interview

 For the employer to screen job
applicants looking for those with skills
and capabilities needed for the job

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Slide 8

An academic resume is:

 A one-page summary of your
educational endeavors, scholastic
accomplishments, and community
involvement

 Presented during a college interview
 A document that sets you apart from

others during the interview process

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Slide 9

To start your resume…

 Go to the California Career Center
 Select “Getting a Job” from the left

navigation bar
 Select Resume Writing Tips to help you

develop your resume

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Slide 10

What goes into a portfolio after
the resume?

 Resume
 Cover Letter or College Essay

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Slide 11

Cover Letter:

 A professional business letter of two to
three paragraphs emphasizing what
you are able to contribute to the
company or organization

 To be sent with your resume to a
potential employer

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Slide 12

To start your cover letter…

 Go to the California Career Center
 Select “Getting a Job”
 Select “Cover Letter Tips” to help you

develop your cover letter

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Slide 13

College Essay:

 Topics for college essays vary by college

 Refer to handout “Common College
Application Essay Questions” for
additional ideas

 Check out individual college and
university admissions websites for
details.

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Slide 14

What goes into a portfolio next?

 Resume
 Cover Letter and/or College Essay
 Skills and Qualities for Success Profile

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Slide 15

Skills, Qualities for Success Profile:

 Skills needed to be successful in school, on
the job, and in life

 Write a brief paragraph for each skill and
quality you will bring to an academic
and/or career environment and provide an
example of how you have demonstrated
that skill or quality

 Doing this helps you think about your
valuable skills and experiences

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Slide 16

Identify your skills and qualities…

 Go to the California Career Center
 Select “Career Options” from the left navigation bar
 Select “Skills and Qualities for the 21st Century World of

Work”
 At the bottom of the page, select “Skills and Quality

Activity”
 Complete the activity and save it in your “My Stuff”

account or download the activity and select the areas
you believe are strengths for you
 These are the skills and qualities you will address in your
brief paragraphs

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Slide 17

What else goes into a portfolio?

 Resume
 Cover Letter and/or College Essay
 Skills and Qualities for Success Profile
 Unofficial Transcript

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Slide 18

Unofficial Transcript:

 List of school courses and Grades
 An official transcript must be spent

directly from your school, an unsealed
transcript in your possession is
unofficial

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Slide 19

What goes into a portfolio after
transcripts?

 Resume

 Cover Letter and/or College Essay

 Skills and Qualities for Success Profile

 Unofficial Transcript

 Evaluation/Recommendation

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Slide 20

Evaluation/Recommendation:

 Work evaluation from a current or recent
employer reviewing your work performance

 Letter of recommendation from a teacher,
school counselor, or a community leader;
refer to handout: “Recommendations:
Student Self-assessment” to help you assist
anyone who will be writing you a letter of
recommendation

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Slide 21

What goes into a portfolio after
evaluations?

 Resume
 Cover Letter and/or College Essay
 Skills and Qualities for Success Profile
 Unofficial Transcript
 Evaluation/Recommendation
 Awards and Recognitions

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Slide 22

Awards and Recognitions:

 Certificates for academics
 Certificates for athletic competitions
 Certificates for completion in Regional

Occupational Program courses or Career
Technical Education courses
 Certificates for perfect attendance

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Slide 23

What is the last item to go into a
portfolio?

 Resume
 Cover Letter and/or College Essay
 Skills and Qualities for Success Profile
 Unofficial Transcript
 Evaluation/Recommendation
 Awards and Recognitions
 Outstanding Work Samples

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Slide 24

Outstanding Work Samples:

 Essays
 Class Projects
 Research Project
 Art Work

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Slide 25

 Resume
 Cover Letter and/or College Essay
 Skills and Qualities for Success Profile
 Unofficial Transcript
 Evaluation/Recommendation
 Awards and Recognitions
 Outstanding Work Samples
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Slide 26

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________