Week 7 (February 16 - February 22, 2014)

This week's topic: ePortfolios.

I'm kind of split on this notion. I understand it is likely the way of the future but I also am a little reserved about the idea that so many pieces of information about people are being put up on the Internet. I know that is kind of an ironic statement coming from someone who is currently writing a blog open to the public. But the way I see it, certain forms of information broadcasting are reasonable and others I'm not quite sold on.

The ePortfolio is one thing I am not quite sold on yet. I know they are a way to improve your Internet footprint in a positive way and promote yourself as a professional in ways that a paper resume or one-on-one interviews don't do the same. But that's where I still feel a little 'old school'. I have heard from various professors and principals that if you don't sell yourself well in an interview then no matter how flashy and impressive your ePortfolio is it won't make a difference. Playing the Devil's advocate a little more here, I also have heard a few instances where a portfolio actually lost someone a job because they found some information in the portfolio that wasn't properly credited. Now, of course, there is an easy way to avoid that - just make sure everything in your portfolio is your own or properly credited to someone else! Still, I feel like since the interview is by and large the most important part of getting a job that it is the most important thing to focus on.

I will say that I believe an ePortfolio would be especially useful for a person with a passion and skill in arts or music then a ePortfolio could really emphasize your talents and abilities and give you that edge in getting a job. I also realize that if you a person who has created some great lessons and projects then putting that stuff in your portfolio could be really advantageous.

For me, I'm not a arts or music major so to get a job I'll have to sell myself well in an interview and that is something I know is important and I can do. I don't want to be a big downer on this kind of technological revolution but I'm just being honest; I'm not sold on it ... yet!