Transcript
Page 1: PR Portfolio Reviews Overview

PortfoliosRequirements, Reviews & Formats

SOJC | Public Relations2008-2009

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Barbara and Kevin
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The Portfolio: Requirement

Feedback. We ask students to produce professional-caliber material in every public relations course. We have high expectations and a rigorous curriculum. By providing an outlet for regular feedback, critique and assessment, we prepare students for the best, most competitive entry level internships and jobs. We know this is true because through the portfolio review process, we, as faculty, get feedback, too. We know if our students can stand out among the sea of graduates competing in the workplace because we listen, learn and adjust to better respond to a changing landscape.

The Review. The public relations portfolio review, looked to by the SOJC and the University of Oregon as a model of assessment, is held at the end of J454: PR Campaigns.

Each student meets individually with a panel of professionals (2 or 3 on each panel) to present his or her work. By the time the students get to this review, their portfolio is cumulative. And it likely no longer contains much from early courses as the material is replaced term-by-term with the best classwork, alongside internship and professional work.

So where do we start?

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Barbara and Kevin
The Review. The public relations portfolio review, a form of assessment by the Communication Arts Department at Georgia Southern University, is held at the end of PRCA 3711/4711: Public Relations Practicum.
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Guidelines: PortfolioGeneral Format:

One portfolio that grows, changes and adapts over the course of the student’s work in the major. Portfolios should be customized for presentations just as cover letters and resumes are. Removable pages create flexibility, allow for creativity and customization.Work should (ideally) be a mix of the best class work and pre-professional work in internships, freelance work, etc.

Size: 10” x 14” or 11” x 17” to allow for overlapping pages, oversize pieces and marketing collateral showcase.

Portfolio/Presentation Case:There is a wide range of options that start at very basic (inexpensive) ones that still function well.We’ve provided some suggestions on the final page of this packet.

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Guidelines: What to WearThe "what do I wear" question always comes up when students are preparing for portfolio reviews. You're expected to dress like you'd dress for an interview. What does that mean?

Wear a jacket (men and women). Err on the side of being conservative, but not out of date.

WomenMinimal (non-distracting) jewleryGo easy on the perfumeCarry a briefcase or a nice shoulder bagClosed toe shoesManicured nailsIf you're wearing a skirt, you need to wear hosiery Watch your cleavage... this isn’t a club hop!

MenA tie that you tie (as opposed to a clip-on)Solid color suitLimited jewlery. If you have distracting face piercings, I'd take them out.Watch how much aftershave/body spray you use. The Axe Body Spray commercials are just commercials. Your reviewers won't actually crawl over the desk and want to rip your clothes off if you're wearing a lot.Trim your nailsCarry a briefcase or your portfolio

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Best Practices: Portfolio PresentationWhat are You Excited About?:

Highlight material that you’re most excited about. That enthusiasm will show!

Tell a Story: Be able to use your work to tell a story: what was the problem/challenge, how did you/your team address it, what was the outcome?

Focus on Results: How did you measure results? How *would* you measure results?

Don’t Apologize or Downplay:You have great experience to show. Be proud of your work! Even the most mundane thing to you might be the most remarkable to your reviewer. Be enthusiastic about every piece you have to show. If you’re not, take it out!

Highlight Your Teamwork:Be intentional (practice) how to talk about your work as part of team and what your contributions were without overstating and without discounting the work of your teammates. Don’t take credit for work you did not do. Be cautious about presenting campaign pieces that you did not contribute to. When in doubt, discuss with your teammates how they intend to present their work and compare notes.

Practice!:Think about your personal key messages. What do you want the reviewers to remember about you? You want to have a sense of what you can cover in the time provided. If you run out of time, you might not be able to talk about your favorite pieces.

Create a Leave Behind:Choose your two or three favorite pieces, and along with your resume, create a leave behind packet for each reviewer.

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Tricky Portfolio Pieces

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PR Plan: Show the cover page and a subpage that highlights a particularly interesting part of the plan (or a part you intend to talk about). Have full copies of the plan available in case your reviewers want to see it.

Social Media: Think about your

objective... if it’s to show participation,

take screen shots of all your social

media sites (profiles, blogs, twitter

streams, etc.) and arrange them on a

page.

If your purpose is to highlight the content, for blog posts, copy & paste the text and the photos of your favorites; provide your podcast or video on a disk.

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Tricky Portfolio Pieces

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Special Event: Include fliers or invitations, media coverage, checklist or tasks. Create a one-page overview of event that includes objectives, strategies/tactics and results. Include Photos!

Presentations: Print small versions

of the slides (using the “print

handout” option), cut out and paste

on paper that fits your portfolio.

Think about your purpose & your

audience when describing to reviewers

Related Hobbies: Only include hobbies & interests that relate to the job. Be selective and relate directly to how that experience would help you do your job. If your hobby is photography, include work examples and explain how they can contribute to an organization with these skills.

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Favorite Formats

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Itoya Art PortfolioBasic starter portfolio. 24 pages with 48 views. Less than $10. Pages do not remove and you cannot add additional. This is a great place to start for J440 and are available at the UO Bookstore.

Leather Case, Removable PagesA nice option if you want to buy one case and have it last for the duration of the major and into your first few jobs. Rings are nice to add and remove pages. These are available online.

Tabletop DisplayHands free showing off! Horizontal format could present challenge, but available in various sizes. A larger format would give you enough room to show vertical pages. Available online.

Scrapbook/Photo AlbumAvailable in an array of colors and comes in 12” x 12”. It’s important to ensure this format looks professional and not “scrapbooky.” But these books are inexpensive and can be done well. You can add and remove pages. These are available for purchase at a craft store or a department store.

Barbara and Kevin

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