Inventory and select the proof
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The idea in everyday life
Choose a small set of projects that collectively covers the target role’s most important evidence.
Three complementary projects can form a stronger argument than twelve repetitive ones.
One step at a time.
Use the sample or information you have permission to use. Keep your work as you go. You can pause between steps.
- 1
List projects from paid work, school, volunteering, self-directed practice, and realistic reconstructions.
- 2
Score each for relevance, ownership, decision depth, artifact quality, result evidence, recency, and permission.
- 3
Select three to five projects that demonstrate different strengths without diluting the target.
- 4
Plan one scoped project to close the most important evidence gap instead of adding random work.
See how it works.
Leo selects a messy public-data cleanup, an operations dashboard, and an experiment analysis, then removes two nearly identical school visualizations.
Did you cover these?
- Your work includes a scored project inventory, selected portfolio set, exclusion list, and one gap-closing project brief.
- Check this common mistake: Leading with the prettiest project even when it demonstrates little of the work the target role requires.
- Together, the selected projects answer every high-priority question on the reviewer brief.
What to finish
A scored project inventory, selected portfolio set, exclusion list, and one gap-closing project brief.
Watch for this
Leading with the prettiest project even when it demonstrates little of the work the target role requires.
How can I tell I understand it?
Together, the selected projects answer every high-priority question on the reviewer brief.
Quick knowledge check
Answer all 3 questions. Get at least 2 right and the lesson completes automatically.
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Answer all 3 questions above and get at least 2 right. You can review the explanations and try again.
Go to the knowledge checkOptional course overview video · same video as Lesson 1
Building Your Online Portfolio
From Colorado State University Alumni Association. Watch here or open it on YouTube .
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