Why I'm Actually Trying with My ePortfolio

At the end of the 2022-2023 school year, I made the decision to step away from teaching. At the time, I thought I might be done with schools altogether. But as I started applying for jobs in the digital instruction field, I quickly realized that a key part of many applications asked for a link to my ePortfolio. I’ll admit, I was pretty lost. I had never created one, and I didn’t even know what it was! It feels like a bit of divine intervention that I now find myself being required to work on one.

If the grant I’m currently working under runs out (which is a very real possibility with potential cuts in federal funding), I’ll be looking for new employment opportunities. I’m thinking of branching into instructional design, non-campus-based education, educational leadership, or even adult education. To make that transition, I know I’ll need to be able to clearly showcase my work and experience. That’s where the ePortfolio comes in. It’s like an updated, interactive resume. But it’s not just about listing qualifications. It’s a way for me to show, not just tell, what I can do, what I have done, and what I've learned. Unlike a traditional resume, the ePortfolio offers a dynamic platform to curate a more complete picture of my professional journey. It highlights my practical experience in a variety of areas, like curriculum design, project leadership, and grant management, all while integrating real-life examples and outcomes.

The ePortfolio offers the ability to showcase our achievements, our personal goals, and reflect on the learning process (Banks, 2004, p.3) in a meaningful and personalized way. It’s a tool that encourages reflection, allowing me to step back and assess how each project contributes to my overall growth and aligns with my future goals. It also allows me to adapt my portfolio to different audiences, tailoring the presentation of my work depending on whether I’m applying for a role in instructional design or leadership. For someone transitioning to a new field, being able to provide evidence of how my past work translates to new contexts will be invaluable. The ability to offer interactive elements, such as videos or artifacts of my work, also sets it apart from static documents and makes the portfolio more engaging and accessible to potential employers. This personalized approach not only helps convey my qualifications, but also gives insight into my thought processes, problem-solving abilities, and commitment to continuous growth.

By using an ePortfolio, I’m creating a digital space where I can document my journey and display a collection of work that is not only representative of what I’ve done, but also of where I’m headed. It’s a forward-thinking way to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving job market, giving me a clear advantage when navigating career transitions.

Additionally, I've been working in education for six years now. In this time, I have written and received grants. I've spearheaded new project ideas. I've led sports teams to championships. I've written curriculum at the district level that prioritized student agency and ownership of learning. I have started and maintained initiatives to boost parent involvement in Title I schools. The list actually goes on for quite a while, but you might not believe I've done very little to keep track of these achievements, the data that supports their effectiveness, or any proof that they happened at all. With the creation of my ePortfolio, I'll be able to manage all of the projects I've worked on and their impact in one place. This will be invaluable in organizing and displaying my achievements in a coherent manner, as Banks (2004) suggests, by "supporting coherent management of a variety of achievements and pieces of work" (p. 4). Through this digital portfolio, I can structure and view my work in different ways for different purposes, such as reviewing learning, planning future projects, or providing evidence to potential employers or for awards. Furthermore, an ePortfolio will help me take greater ownership of my professional growth, allowing me to reflect on my activities and plan for future development. This learner-centered approach, as Banks highlights, offers a dynamic way to view my progress, ensuring that both my personal reflections and the evidence of my work can be shared with the right audience, whether that's mentors, career advisers, or educational institutions (Banks, 2004). By contextualizing learning moments and showing how each achievement fits into my ongoing professional journey, the ePortfolio will support "just in time" learning, ensuring I can quickly access the most relevant information when needed (Banks, 2004).

This process is pushing me to be more intentional about how I present my work and my growth. For others in my field, particularly those in education or instructional design, it’s a great way to demonstrate practical experience and innovation in the digital space. A portfolio allows me to not just list my accomplishments, but to show them in a way that is tangible and impactful. As Capella University notes, portfolios "demonstrate the competencies and accomplishments you would list on a resume or talk about in an interview – they allow you to show, not just tell" (Capella University, 2025). This shift from telling to showing is crucial in making a lasting impression. And down the line, my ePortfolio will be a powerful tool when I’m looking for future opportunities, allowing me to stand out by showcasing the breadth of my skills and my journey, rather than just listing them on paper. Archiving my work in one place gives me the chance to track my progress and reflect on how I’ve acquired key competencies over time. Having everything consolidated will be useful for preparing for performance reviews, networking, or discussing my professional growth with potential employers (Capella University, 2025). The process of building and maintaining my ePortfolio provides both a record of my professional achievements and a proactive way to engage with future career opportunities.

It’s reassuring to know that, even if I face some uncertainty ahead, this ePortfolio will help me stay prepared for whatever comes next. It’s not just a tool for finding a job. It’s a way to keep evolving professionally and to share that growth with others. I am looking forward to adding to this portfolio or maybe even creating a new portfolio that encompasses all I've accomplished in my current role. In a thankless job, sometimes we need to remind ourselves that our work matters, and we are indeed making an impact.

Banks, M. (2004, December). ePortfolios: Supporting learning in the 21st century. Educational Technology, 44(2), 3-10. file:///C:/Users/21137384/Downloads/eportfolios_their_use_and_benefits.pdf

Capella University. (2025, January 24). Why a portfolio is important for your career. Capella University Blog. https://www.capella.edu/blog/career/why-a-portfolio-is-important-for-your-career/