Submit a short list of faculty that you want to ask to work with you as a Mentor and/or Reader for your Senior Portfolio Project. One Reader is required, but you can ask up to two. Also include a brief plan of how you will ask them to serve by September 21.
Time Management Plan
Due: September 7 at 4:20 p.m. Write up your plan for regular, intentional, undisturbed reflective practice so that you regularly make progress on your ePortfolio.
Preliminary Artifacts List
Due: September 7 at 4:20 p.m.
Make a list of 10 artifacts that you think you might want to include in your ePortfolio - pull from curricular and co-/extra-curricular sources as you see fit. Write one sentence next to each one justifying its inclusion at this point. This is not a binding document. This is solely to help get you started.
"Names" Writing Prompt
Due: September 7 at 5:10 p.m. Begin with a 6 minute free-write about anything you wish. DO NOT submit the free-write to Dr. Davis. The purpose is solely to clear your head and jumpstart your writing.
1. Write anything about your name: memories, impressions, likes, hates, what people have said, your nicknames over the years: anything. [7 minutes] 2. Write a selection of names you have preferred to your own. [3 minutes] 3. Write a letter to yourself from one of these chosen names. [5 minutes] The writing exercise will be exactly 15 minutes. This is unplanned, off-the-top-of-the-head writing; try to allow yourself to write anything. Whatever you write will be right; there is no critic poised with a red pen. All that matters here is the writing's content - don't worry about grammar. Ignore your inner saboteur who questions your writing ability. You will not be required to share your writing, but all are invited to do so. At the conclusion of the writing exercise, you will read silently back to yourself.
Best of Portfolium Pick
Due September 14 at 4:20 p.m.
In Portfolium, click "Discover" and check out the "Expert Picks" and "Staff Picks." Choose one you like and email the URL to Dr. Davis.
Audience Selection
Due September 14 at 4:20 p.m.
Submit your ePortfolio audience. Who is your writing directed to? Potential employers? Grad school recruiters? Potential investors? Talent scouts? Someone else? Go back to your initial list of artifacts and write a few sentences detailing whether they should change given your audience choice.
"Who Thought What?" Writing Prompt
Due: September 14 at 4:20 p.m. Begin with a 6 minute free-write about anything you wish. DO NOT submit the free-write to Dr. Davis. The purpose is solely to clear your head and jumpstart your writing.
1. A newspaper is devoted to a specific professional issue that aligns with one of your major areas of academic or professional interest. Identify the topic. [2 minutes] 2. Make an outline of the pages with the headlines and columns written as if by EXPERTS in your area of academic/professional interest. [7 minutes] 3. Write an Editorial for the special issue by YOU. [7 minutes] The writing exercise will be exactly 15 minutes. This is unplanned, off-the-top-of-the-head writing; try to allow yourself to write anything. Whatever you write will be right; there is no critic poised with a red pen. All that matters here is the writing's content - don't worry about grammar. Ignore your inner saboteur who questions your writing ability. You will not be required to share your writing with anyone other than your instructor. At the conclusion of the writing exercise, you read it silently back to yourself.
"Milestones" Writing Prompt
Due: September 14 at 5:10 p.m. Begin with a 6 minute free-write about anything you wish. DO NOT submit the free-write to Dr. Davis. The purpose is solely to clear your head and jumpstart your writing.
1. Write the milestones of your academic career at JMU so far; do it quickly without thinking much. [2 minutes] 2. Review your list. Delete or add, clarify or expand the list as you wish. [3 minutes] 3. Aim for further divergence - create some sub-items within the list (e.g., the impact finding a faculty Mentor will have; how you felt when you got the worst grade yet of your college career; the influence of joining a particular student org on your life; etc.) [3 minutes] 4. Choose one milestone. Write a short piece about it. What observations can you make about your experience so far? What made you select this specific milestone to write about? What have you learned from the milestone now that you've given it more attention? The writing exercise will be exactly 15 minutes. This is unplanned, off-the-top-of-the-head writing; try to allow yourself to write anything. Whatever you write will be right; there is no critic poised with a red pen. All that matters here is the writing's content - don't worry about grammar. Ignore your inner saboteur who questions your writing ability. You will not be required to share your writing, but all are invited to do so. At the conclusion of the writing exercise, you will read silently back to yourself.
"Insights" Writing Prompt
Due: September 21 at 4:20 p.m. Begin with a 6 minute free-write about anything you wish. DO NOT submit the free-write to Dr. Davis. The purpose is solely to clear your head and jumpstart your writing.
1. Quickly write a list of 20 words or phrases about your work/studies. Allow yourself to write anything: everything is relevant, even the seemingly insignificant.[1 minute] 2. Reread: underline words or phrases that seem to stick out. [2 minutes] 3. Choose one. Write it at the top of a fresh page/on a new screen. Write anything that occurs to you about it. Allow yourself to write anything. You might write a poem, or an account remembering a particular occasion, or muse ramblingly. Whatever you write will be right. [5 minutes] 4. Chose another word from your list and repeat. Your style of writing may be different from the previous word. Whatever you write will be right. [5 minutes] 5. Now that you've written, what other words come to mind to add your list? Quickly write any words/phrases that come to mind. [2 minutes]
The writing exercise will be exactly 15 minutes. This is unplanned, off-the-top-of-the-head writing; try to allow yourself to write anything. Whatever you write will be right; there is no critic poised with a red pen. All that matters here is the writing's content - don't worry about grammar. Ignore your inner saboteur who questions your writing ability. You will not be required to share your writing, but all are invited to do so. At the conclusion of the writing exercise, you will read silently back to yourself.
"My Work" Writing Prompt
Due: September 21 at 5:10 p.m. Begin with a 6 minute free-write about anything you wish. DO NOT submit the free-write to Dr. Davis. The purpose is solely to clear your head and jumpstart your writing.
Let's try to hone in on what you're truly thinking about your academic/professional life: 1. List as many things you can about what you like about your work and/or studies. Please only include work if what you're doing now is something that you think will be central to your future career plans. [4 minutes] 2. List as many things you can about what you DON'T like about your work and/or studies. Again, only include work if what you're doing now is something that you think will be central to your future career plans. [4 minutes] 3. While thinking about your work/studies, write a reflective piece answering the question: Wouldn't it be nice if...[7 minutes]
"Why and What and When, Where and Who and How" Writing Prompt
Due: September 28 at 4:20 p.m. Begin with a 6 minute free-write about anything you wish. DO NOT submit the free-write to Dr. Davis. The purpose is solely to clear your head and jumpstart your writing.
Having reflected on yourself and your work/studies in broad terms in the "My Work" writing exercise, let's progress to something more specific using this idea of questioning:
1) Think of your work or studies, a particular aspect, or in general. Review your "My Work" submission, if that helps. [2 minutes] 2) Respond to these, in whatever way occurs to you (you cannot get this wrong): What do I do? Why do I do it? How do I do it best? For whom do I do it? When? Where? How might I rather do it? [6 minutes] 3) Reread with care. Choose one to write about at greater length. [7 minutes]
"Critical Lenses" Writing Prompt
Due: September 28 at 5:10 p.m. Begin with a 6 minute free-write about anything you wish. DO NOT submit the free-write to Dr. Davis. The purpose is solely to clear your head and jumpstart your writing.
1. Write an account of a group project from your own perspective. [4 minutes] 2. Write about the same project from the viewpoint of one of your group member peers. [4 minutes] 3. Write again, as if you are the professor. [4 minutes] 4. Each lens should provide you a different perspective. Write about how perceiving the group project through other people's eyes challenges assumptions or changes your interpretation. [3 minutes]
Reverse Engineering Portfolium
Due: October 5 at 4:20 p.m. Go back to your "Best of Portfolium" pick and explore the complete ePortfolio in greater detail. In a 1-page paper, identify how the creator used specific elements (artifacts, reflection, introduction, design, navigation, etc.) and how the elements worked together to make a cohesive argument. See if you can identify some of the choices that they made - Who are they writing to? Why did they choose their artifacts? What evidence do you see of deep learning? How well do they connect their reflective writing, artifacts, and skills? What could they do to improve?
"The Film of Your Life" Writing Prompt
Due: October 5 at 5:10 p.m. Begin with a 6 minute free write (do not submit). Then: 1. Write the title of the film of your life at JMU [30 seconds] 2. Create advertising tag line/blurb [1 minute 30 seconds] 3. List the cast [1 minute] 4. Choose one 'character,' write their name and write about them [2 minutes] 5. Choose another 'character' to write about [2 minutes] 6. Write a detailed story of one of the scenes [4 minutes] 7. Write the ending of the film of your life at JMU [4 minutes]
Personal Brand
Due: October 12 at 4:20 p.m. Your Elevator Pitch is the foundation of your personal brand. Getting this down will help you refine your Profile introduction statement, clarify artifacts that you should choose, and help you begin to craft a cohesive narrative. What is an elevator pitch? Imagine stepping into an elevator in an office building. As the doors close, the person standing next to you says, “Hi, I’m a recruiter at your dream company/grad school. Tell me about yourself.” Are you prepared for an opportunity like this? Could you concisely introduce yourself, your background and your career aspirations in the time of a quick elevator ride—30 seconds or less? “Elevator pitch” is a popular term for the basic introduction of who you are and what you’re looking for. It can be used in a variety of professional situations such as networking events, career fairs, cover letters and formal interviews. (The elevator, of course, is optional.) Why is an elevator pitch important? In most situations, you won’t have time to tell someone your life story or to list every accomplishment. The best elevator pitches provide enough background information and enthusiasm so the other person wants to continue a conversation with you. Here is a simple 4-step process for developing a strong and effective elevator pitch. Work through the RED, BOLDED prompts and submit your answers on Canvas. 1. Know yourself. The first step to introducing yourself effectively is knowing who you are and what makes you unique. Ask yourself the following questions and jot down your answers (approximately 1 sentence each) to submit on Canvas:
- Which of your previous academic, co-curricular, or extra-curricular experiences, internships, jobs, or volunteer positions provided you with experience relevant to what you hope to do now? - What are your strongest skills? - What are your strengths and passions, career-wise? - What opportunities (grad schools, jobs, companies/industries) are you pursuing now? - What can you say about yourself that sets you apart? What makes you memorable and special? 3. Think about your passions. Passion is an “x” factor that differentiates an okay career from an extraordinary one. Let your passion, enthusiasm and uniqueness shine through! If you’re not entirely sure what your passions are, it’s worthwhile do some exploring. It doesn’t matter if your passions are small or huge; what matters is identifying the activities, people, causes or places that inspire you deeply and bring out the very best in you. Ask yourself the following questions and jot down your answers (approx. 1 sentence each) to submit on Canvas: - What is your passion inviting you to do? - What would your life be like if you were able to incorporate some aspect of your passion into your life every day, beginning right now? Would you participate in different organizations? Volunteer? Try a new class or hobby? - How would adding more passion to your life benefit you? How would it benefit your studies or the organizations you’re involved with? - What obstacles are standing in your way? - What is one small step you could take to move you forward and begin adding more passion or authenticity to your life today? 2. Craft your pitch. Think of your pitch in three parts: Who are you? Remember that your primary goal is simply to introduce yourself. Share your name and place yourself in context by explaining what school you attend, what you’re studying or where you currently work. What are your major accomplishments/passions/unique skills? Leverage the skills/passions you listed earlier and frame them in a way that is meaningful to a potential employer or networking contact. What can you say that will make someone remember you or a networking contact want to know more about you? What do you want/Where are you going? Think of this as the “call to action.” This is the part of your pitch that lets the other person know what you’re looking for and the topic you’re interested in talking about. Some examples: “Hi, I’m Natasha Brown. I’ll be receiving my BBA in Accounting in May from James Madison University and I interned last summer at PricewaterhouseCoopers in the Assurance practice. I also participated in the firm’s community service project in New Orleans, which was an incredible experience that fueled my passion to make a difference. I’m currently seeking an auditor position in the Chicago area, which is why I’m here at this conference....” "Hi, my name is Marcos Sanchez. I’m an English major at JMU and I’m pursuing publishing internships. I’m really active with several organizations on campus, helping them design their websites. I’m also a big advocate of the impact of social media and have helped some nonprofit organizations create their Facebook fan pages. I saw that your magazine is doing a lot of great things in the social media space…” Now, take a stab at crafting your own elevator pitch and submit.
"Who are You? What's Your Story" Writing Prompt
Due: October 12 at 5:10 p.m. Start with a 6 minute free write (do not submit), then: 1. Think of a story significant to you (e.g., Cinderella; Sherlock Holmes series; Lord of the Rings) [1 minute] 2. Rewrite it, setting it in the present, using the context of your work or studies. [8 minutes] 3. Compare and contrast your story and the original. What is different between the story and your work/studies? What is similar? [6 minutes]
Progress Powerpoint
Due October 19 at 4:20 p.m. Create a Powerpoint detailing your progress thus far. Your Powerpoint should be 5 slides and cover the following: 1. Introduction - who are you and what do you want your ePortfolio to convey? Who is your audience? 2. Goals and skills - what are your goals immediately after graduation? How do they fit into your ePortfolio? What relevant skills have you highlighted thus far that you want to feature in your ePortfolio? 3. Create a "word cloud" (www.wordclouds.com (Links to an external site.)) that ties in with you who are. A great approach is to copy and paste the text from some/all of your reflective writing prompts in the generator and see what you get. 4. Feature an artifact - Tell us what the artifact is and why you chose it. How do you hope the artifact will contribute to the narrative you're crafting in your ePortfolio? 5. Reflect on the process so far - what are you doing well? What are your areas of improvement? What do you need to do to reach the finish line?