Portfolios

IDEATE

Begin by considering why you are creating your a digital portfolio and who (you hope) will be viewing it. Identify the projects, skills, and achievements most relevant to your goals. Reflect on your uniqueness and decide on the main message you want your portfolio to convey to its audience. Explore digital portfolios from others in your field to gather ideas and inspiration. Utilize the UGA Mentor Program to find a credible mentor in your field who can advice on the project.

Portfolios aren’t just for artists.

A portfolio does not have to be design-heavy to be effective. For many majors, a portfolio is a curated collection of work, thinking, and outcomes that shows how you approach problems, not just what you produce. If your work involves analysis, research, planning, communication, teaching, or decision-making, you already have portfolio-ready material.

Common Ways to IDEATE

• Consider your skills and how they relate to your goals.
• Identify the projects, skills, and achievements most relevant to your goals.
• Explore digital portfolios from others in your field(s) of interest to gather ideas and inspiration.
• Utilize the UGA Mentor Program to find a credible mentor in your field who can advise on the project.

Before moving to the next step, you should…

• Identify the key audience(s) for which your portfolio is intended.
• Establish your unique value proposition as a candidate. (In other words, why should someone hire you/accept you into their program/etc. instead of someone else?)
  Watch This video: Crafting value propositions with Lezlie Garr and Madecraft

DESIGN

Plan the structure of your digital portfolio considering how the user will navigate it. What do you want them to see first? How do you want them to find information? You might incorporate sections such as “About,” “Work,” and “Contact,” but other categories like certificates, recommendations, awards, or videos may also be included if they add value relevant to your goals. When designing, consider whether you want your professional work or your individuality to be prioritized.

Designing for Accessibility

Consider all abilities as you design your site. Include alt text for images and captions for videos. Avoid text on images and consider color contrast. Test all of this on multiple platforms and devices when you get to that stage.

Before moving to the next step, you should…

• Build out a basic site map.
• Have your design strategy reviewed by a mentor, UGA career consultant, or other professionals in your target industry.

Extra Credit LinkedIn Learning Courses:

• User Experience for Web Design with Chris Nodder
• How to Plan Your Website with Avery Swartz
• Planning Your No-Code Website with Jen Kramer

BUILD

This is where you put it all together. Gather your artifacts and write clear descriptions providing context for each, especially case studies or projects. Upload and arrange these materials neatly onto your chosen digital platform using your site map as a guide. Use high-quality visuals to engage visitors and ensure each section is consistent and polished. When in doubt, ask your mentor or Career Consultant for advice on the quality and relevance of individual projects.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Too many projects or poor image quality (consider quality > quantity)
• No clear call‑to‑action (be clear about your goals)
• Overly long text blocks (balance visual elements with text)
• Inconsistent formatting (the devil is in the details)
• Autoplay video with sound (don’t jumpscare your users)
• Not testing on mobile (consider all perspectives)

Professional Considerations

• Keep URLs clean, readable, and professional (when possible, use your name: firstnamelastname.com)
• Avoid inside jokes and class numbers that won’t make sense to an external audience
• Ensure brand consistency across your portfolio, LinkedIn, and email signature

Portfolio Artifacts for Non-Creative Majors

Your portfolio may include written, analytical, instructional, or process-based work. Visual polish matters less than clarity, structure, and explanation. Examples of strong portfolio artifacts include research posters, literature reviews, data analysis projects, capstone projects, marketing plans, policy briefs, program evaluations, lesson plans, curriculum samples, grant proposals, press releases, team projects, and leadership initiatives.

Pro Tip: If your artifact doesn’t look “portfolio‑ready,” add context. A strong explanation often matters more than the artifact itself.

Before moving to the next step, you should…

• Organize your portfolio artifacts (i.e. projects, images, videos, testimonials, etc.) into folders according to your site map.
• Create your landing page, “about me” page, and at least three project pages.

DEPLOY

Publish your digital portfolio online and make it easy for employers and educators to access. Prepare physical versions if needed for interviews or presentations. Commit to regularly updating your portfolio, adding new accomplishments and refreshing your content. Maintain your portfolio as a dynamic reflection of your evolving career and skills. Write a LinkedIn post celebrating your portfolio launch and thank/tag your UGA Mentor as well as the UGA Career Center to share your accomplishment!

Recommended Exit Criteria

• Publish your portfolio to the public
• Add your portfolio link to your LinkedIn, Handshake account, and resume
• Schedule a session to address necessary updates every 3-4 months