Creating a personal portfolio can help. The portfolio also can illustrate talents, experiences and skills for potential employers or college entrance personnel.

Your teen can start a working portfolio with a shoe box, grocery bag or folder that will hold things as they’re collected.

Then, he can put in samples of items that tell the story of his learning and living. These should reflect experiences across a span of time. He can put in samples of best writing, best test scores, certificates of honor and sample research. He should add any items that illustrate special knowledge or skills, business or teaching experience, teamwork or contributions to others.

Next, your teen should organize the samples in chronological order, or group them by the skills or experiences they represent. Then, arrange them on pages in a binder. Type or print descriptions for each sample or group that will tell an audience why a particular item is important in the portfolio.

Add a cover letter, title and table of contents—and the portfolio is ready to show.

Copyright © Parent Institute