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 retentionfrom 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 ()
  • 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 ()
  • 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 ()
  • 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-ASSESSMENTHANDOUT

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.

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 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

______

Slide 26NOW FOCUS ON YOUR FUTURE!

______

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.

  1. 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 WorldDictionary 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!

  1. 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.

  1. 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).

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