Senior Portfolio 2015-2016
For this project, you will be researching, discussing, writing about, and presenting
your findings in answer to the following questions:
 What potential career or job field am I considering for my future?
 What does it take to get there (training, education, experience, service or
volunteerism)?
 After completing this project, does this career still seem like a good fit for me? If
not, who might be best recommended to pursue this career?
General Project Requirements:
1. Personal Narrative writing. All students will submit a final draft of
a. Personal Statement or College Application essay OR
b. Personal Narrative essay
2. Resume and Cover Letter
3. An interview or job shadow with someone working in the field you are exploring. All
students will submit a list of A MINIMUM OF 10 questions to be answered during the
interview or job shadow experience.
4. A MLA works cited list of all research sources used, including websites, print resources,
interviews, and any other resources consulted for the project.
5. A MLA documented essay summarizing your findings, evaluating what you have learned,
and discussing your future plans.
6. A portfolio containing all of your writing, research, and supplemental materials used.
7. A multi-media presentation to your peers.
Suggested Content: Choose the questions that are most relevant to your selected path.
Jobs/Careers:
 What are the tasks performed, job environment, flexibility of hours
 What are the rewards and drawbacks of the career?
 What opportunities exist for self-employment in the field (owner, freelance, consulting)?
 What specific personality and physical aptitudes, strengths, and skills are called for? Are
they transferable to another career if I change my mind or if the career becomes obsolete?
 What are the beginning, mid-career, and maximum salaries and benefits? What retirement
options exist?
 What is the outlook for job openings? What are some of the societal, economic and
technological changes impacting this career field?
 How does this career mesh with my desired lifestyle and family plans?
 What opportunities exist for self-employment in the field (owner, freelance, consulting)?
SEE REVERSE!
Training/Education:
 What are the best places to obtain required education or training for my chosen field (college,
tech school, or on-the-job training)?
 For college, what are the admissions considerations: prerequisites, application process,
admissions data?
 What majors/academic programs are available at the schools I am considering?
 What are the financial considerations: tuition and fees, housing and affordability of area,
financial aid and scholarship opportunities?
 How do the colleges or training opportunities I am considering mesh with my desired
lifestyle?
 What opportunities exist for transfer INTO or OUT OF each college or training program?
Changing majors? What about graduate study opportunities?
 What is the career/job outlook for graduates from the school or training program I am
considering?
Service/Volunteerism:
 What service or volunteer opportunities might benefit me as I prepare for my potential
career?
 How can and why should a person get involved with these service or volunteer opportunities?
 What jobs and/or educational opportunities are available through service organizations?
 What specific personality and physical aptitudes, strengths, and skills are called for? Are
they transferable to a career?
 How does service or volunteerism mesh with my family plans and desired lifestyle?
Suggested Sources:
 Interviews with
o people working in or retired from your chosen career;
o people associated with a service or volunteer organization
o college officials and/or alumni of the schools/training programs you are considering
 Volunteer time/job shadowing
 Leadership of or participation in service projects benefitting your organization
 Journals/magazines specific to your chosen career path
 Books written about your chosen career path
 Brochures and pamphlets related to your chosen career path
 Internet sources
o Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH)
o Guide for Occupational Exploration (GOE)
o Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT)
o College or training program websites
o Volunteer organization websites
o See handout of suggested websites for other potential resources
 College or career fairs
 Campus visit/college tour (try a virtual tour if you can’t travel there personally!)
 Videos about your chosen career, school, or volunteer opportunities
 Visit or contact a professional organization related to your field of inquiry.