How to Use Schoolwork to Create a Portfolio
Posted: October 01, 2026 | Author: Kate Lyons | Read Time: 3 minutes
Creating a professional portfolio is a great way to visually depict your skills and accomplishments for future employers to view. It’s the perfect way to summarize all of your hard work in an easy-to-glance-at format.
What is a Professional Portfolio?
A portfolio is a one-stop shop for others to learn about your capabilities, history, and future endeavors. A good portfolio is a collection of your best work and relevant accomplishments. However, it can also contain your resume, CV, personal statement, awards and recognitions, references, and professional headshot. It’s best to include anything that will draw in possible employers.
What Schoolwork Goes into a Portfolio?
It’s important to include any relevant major project or assignment you’ve completed. For example, if you want to pursue a journalism career, including your term papers, pieces you’ve written for literary journals, and any other publications will strengthen your portfolio. If you’ve done any work for an internship or student position, include the relevant tasks you’ve done, such as organizing an event, cleaning out an old storage space, or managing correspondence.
How Do You Organize a Portfolio?
Organizing your information will help the viewer to better process what you have to offer. There are three main ways to organize your portfolio: chronologically, categorically, and thematically.
Chronological order is organizing your material by when it was completed. This can offer the viewer a look into how you have progressed over the years.
Categorical organization includes sorting your materials into sections and can help viewers find relevant information about you and your abilities. For example, if you’re creating a marketing portfolio, you can organize your materials into sections like social media, graphic design, event planning, and more.
Thematic organization is best for those making a creative works portfolio. By creating a portfolio that shows your versatility, artists are more likely to snag a job. For example, if you’re a painter, you can show all the different techniques you can use to create art.
Where Do You Go to Create a Portfolio?
There is an array of software programs and websites designed to help you in your creative process. For printed portfolios, Canva and Adobe Suite are excellent options. Resources like Wix, WordPress, Adobe Portfolio, and Squarespace can help you design a digital portfolio. Sites like LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Vimeo are also great places to showcase the work you’ve done as a student.
When Should You Begin Your Portfolio?
Today! Building your portfolio over time will help you keep track of what to include. As you develop your skills, review your portfolio. If there is something in it that’s no longer relevant, it’s okay to remove it. If you’re unsure if something belongs in your portfolio, reach out to the Career and Professional Development Center for advice.
Using your schoolwork to create a portfolio allows you to reflect on what you’ve learned, what skills you have, and where you’d like your future to go. A portfolio is not just for a future employer or grad school admissions committee: it also helps you to better understand your unique self by summarizing all the wonderful skills and experiences you have to offer!
Tags: Student Life Career Center
