Brian Walker: Reflecting

(Image take by Scott Kellum)

At the start of this semester I didn't know what an E-portfolio was or the value it could bring. An E-portfolio is the same as the kind of portfolio that would be created offline. You gather all the best information about yourself, your accomplishments, and abilities and develop them into a folder or catalog of about you. Offline portfolios can be very hard to create, manage, and share. If a suspected employer asks to borrow it for further inspection, it sets you up for it to be lost or damaged. It limits you from sharing it with others possible employers as well. The great thing about establishing an e-portfolio is that it allows you share it with everyone. From the day that the e-portfolio is started it becomes a small evolving organism that you constantly improve with new accomplishments, papers, projects, hobbies or anything else that defines who you are. Employers are free to view your portfolio from any computer they like when it is most convenient for them. They can search your accomplishments to see how well you actually perform with the skills that are posted in your resume. It becomes the ultimate marketing tool, allowing employers to see what you are capable of before they decide to hire you. I also love how many different employers you can reach or better yet can find you. It is awe inspiring to think that with a well built e-portfolio my dream job, in my dream location, could find me.

The two most intimidating part of creating an e-portfolio for me were putting myself out there and getting past the feelings that I don't have anything worth publishing. At the start of the term I felt intimated about commenting on blogs, publishing my own articles, or even just sharing on twitter a video that I felt needed to be shared. As the class progressed I learned that the greatest part of the net is reaching out and sharing my thoughts and likes/dislikes. I was scared to publish articles in my blog because I felt like I wasn't good enough writer but quickly learned that it is the quality of thought and not the quality of writing that people care about on the net. From comments left by other classmates I came to realize that, despite the classmates being excellent writers, it is common to feel intimidated to publish work but like feeling nervous before giving a speech, it simply means I care about it enough that in a worst case scenario my feelings could get hurt. Now that the class is over and am mostly no longer afraid to share who I am with the world. Yes some people will be rude but I now have to confidence to know that most people will be supportive of my efforts in when I do a truly bad job provide me with feedback on how I can improve.

The biggest liberation I see in having an e-portfolio is finding employment after graduation. In the past find jobs in a new town was difficult. Particularly the question do you find a job then move or do you move so that you can find job? With an e-portfolio I know I can put my best foot forward to employers in what ever city I want to work in without ever going their. The employer can interview me on Skype and use my portfolio to gain a great idea of the kind of employee I will be. After finding a job the e-portfolio will still be of great value allowing me to network with both clients and fellow professionals helping me to rapidly advance my career.

Although I entered the class with a lot of resistance in the end I have found many benefits. I have learned how to communicate online professionally, present myself in interviews, and use social media to boost my career. The biggest advantage I gained from ales 204 was learning to incorporate online communication into my comfort zone. I agree with Lara that this course has taught me how a strong online presence can be a huge asset.

Links to my five comments:

Brian Walker

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Reflecting

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