10.1 Why create a portfolio?
Jasmine Roberts and Andrew Frank
In today’s job market, recent graduates entering the fields of public relations and professional communications need to demonstrate job preparedness beyond academic achievements. Excelling in the classroom is important, but many employers are just as interested in your work experience, expertise, and job-related skills.
Demonstrating your writing skills is an especially important component of a portfolio, and creating a collection of samples will help you in your next job interview. Portfolios, and their writing sections in particular (other sections might include examples of design work, earned media coverage, a resume detailing job experience and skills etc.), supplement what you’ve learned in the classroom. They provide an advantage in today’s competitive market by illustrating and marketing your skills and personal brand. Regardless of career level, strategic communication professionals should have a portfolio to showcase their work.
