Failure and Success: Lessons Learned from Two Eportfolio Studies

Michelle Wang
(Business Management Department, Borough of Manhattan Community College, USA)

Abstract: Electronic portfolios (ePortfolios) have been used in many disciplines for different purposes. In recruiting, employers assess the candidates’ ability to perform the desired quality of work. Portfolios give employers an in-depth look at the applicant’s skills and ability. A career portfolio is actually an extension of a resume. Two career ePortfolio projects were implemented in career planning classes in a community college in Fall 2012 and Summer 2013; 49 students participated. The data revealed tremendous differences between the two classes as regards the students’ motivation to use the ePortfolio, project outcomes, and the desire to continue the ePortfolio on their own. In the fall class, 42% of the students were dissatisfied with the project, and 74% did not want to continue the ePortfolio after the semester ended. However, in summer class, 95% of the students were satisfied with the project and wanted to continue the ePortfolio on their own. What were the key success factors in summer class? The researcher found that a successful career ePortfolio project requires weekly lab hours, technical support, frequent feedback, one-on-one coaching from the instructor, a motivation for the students to work extra hours outside class time, and the embedded grade in the project.

Key words: career planning, community college, ePortfolio, job search preparation