Portfolio.. Are You Up to the Challenge?

It is hard to believe that is has been over a year since Portfolio was brought to the Trenton MFRC. Having the chance to train Coordinators from many of the other Ontario MFRC’s including two Coordinators here, we are very thankful to Paul Zakos, Mark Gallupe and the Eastern Central Ontario Training Board.  In addition I thank all of the MFRC’s who embraced the Portfolio movement and have built it into their own Centres.
Portfolio has and will make positive impacts to those who take the challenge on.  By building your own portfolio, you take on a huge challenge not without side effects. 
To date we have had the following side effects reported:
- A greater sense of control of my future; a clearer vision of what I really want and can do
- Ready to challenge post-secondary courses to be granted credit
- Confident in answering interview questions with documentation at my finger tips
- Realization of the what I have learned and where I can use my learning
- Feeling of too many options/overwhelmed
- Thoroughly enjoyed the humour – very fun class, laughing is good medicine
- The course was very helpful and informative
- Lots of fun learning about myself
- The ability to use my incomplete education towards finishing my diploma

Portfolio can open the doors by having learning from all elements of life acknowledged, assessed and recognized.   
If you are seeking to progress in your chosen career and do not want to “start over” again, portfolio may be the answer. Placing your skills, experience, education and knowledge in a format that can clearly demonstrate what you have learned.  This learning, when formatted in a professional, well established portfolio that is built specifically for assessment and recognition can have the potential to propel you forward, towards your career progression. 
Every portfolio is as unique as the person who designs it.  Portfolio creation is an excellent opportunity to place control over your future destination, no matter what is it that you want, even if you are unsure, by designing a portfolio, the poignant questions and activities, will enable you to view you past learning and future endeavours in a whole new light.  Portfolio can be used for a variety of applications including:
- Post-Secondary and Secondary Education
- Employment / Career
- Starting your own business
- Self Discovery
- Legacy …

Portfolio as a Resume is ever changing and ever evolving and will provide an excellent base to add ongoing information to.  No matter why you start a portfolio, you may encounter opportunities and endeavours you never would have thought of.
Join us on April 2nd, 2012at 6:00 pm for an information session and pre-registration for our Group starting April 16th 2012.  The group will run for seven weeks from Monday April 16th – Monday June 4th 2012 from 6-7:30 PM.  
While the fee for this course will be minimal if any, the commitment required is substantial and homework will be assigned from week to week. 
If you are up to the challenge or have questions, please contact me at Elizabeth.nicholas@forces.gc.ca  613-392-2811 local 3852