A portfolio is different from a resume in that it allows you to showcase all kind of work you have done in its entirety. It's highly recommended to always keep track of the projects you've done, your contributions, as well as the results/impact, and to update your portfolio frequently, especially when you are in your early career.
Where can I "keep" my portfolio?
Most of the time, people use websites to host their portfolios. Some of the most popular platforms (no coding required) are:
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Wix (this website uses Wix!)
You may also build a Notion page or a GitHub page, whatever suits your needs and preferences.
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If you are an aspiring web developer, consider coding your own portfolio site to showcase your skills :)
What can I put on my portfolio?
Think of your portfolio as the most detailed, expanded version of your resume. There is no word or page limit to a portfolio, so you can add as much detail as well as media to better describe your projects or achievements. It is okay to repeat information already mentioned on your resume or LinkedIn profile, but it is of utmost importance that you expand on such information and provide videos/photos/links to be even more persuasive. Besides basic information about yourself, below are some of the things you may consider investing your efforts in building while creating your portfolio:
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Personal and group projects (class projects are perfectly fine!)
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Extra-curricular activities: student organizations, volunteer, etc.
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Awards & certifications
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Hobbies and interests​
​Feel free to be creative and add anything you like to your portfolio (make sure that it makes sense though)!
Ideas for projects
While there's nothing wrong with putting class projects on your portfolio, it would be even better if you have at least one personal or group project that you do in your own time. Not only do these projects show your love of learning and curiosity, but they also provide concrete evidence of your self-learning skills and in some cases, teamwork skills. Remember, these qualities speak much louder about you as a potential leader than your GPA does!
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> Ideas for projects to do in your own time:
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Mobile app
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Web app
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Game
If you don't have any ideas about what to do for your personal project, don't hesitate to ask your friends and professors to see if they have any ongoing/upcoming project that you can help with. Sometimes they may also give you a suggestion or inspire you to build something on your own!
> Participate in hackathons (find hackathons here)
> Apply for the MLH Fellowship Program
> If you need a teammate, go to our Slack #random channel (or any other organizations' communities) and ask if anyone is interested!
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P/S: Don't forget to save all your work (if coding) and push to your GitHub!
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