Career Readiness

Think of a portfolio as your personal scrapbook for school and work. It’s not something you put together all at once—it grows as you do. Save things that show effort or progress: a project you worked hard on, a certificate from a club, a letter from a teacher or coach, or even notes you’ve written about a volunteer experience. Later, when you need to apply for a scholarship, job, or college, you won’t be stuck trying to remember everything—you’ll already have it collected.

Suggested resources for this topic:

• MajorClarity 
• Sample Career Portfolio Checklist – Texas Education Agency
• Tools for Creating Digital Student Portfolios – Edutopia
• Career Portfolio Guide - Texas State University

A résumé doesn’t have to be fancy. It’s really just a one-page summary of what you’ve been doing in school, at work, or in the community. Start with your name and contact info, then add school details, jobs or volunteer work, and activities where you played a role. Keep it short and easy to skim. Instead of only listing what you did, try to show what you learned or how you helped. That little shift makes your résumé stand out more. Students can log into their MajorClarity to help 

Suggested resources for this topic:

• Resume and Cover Letters - MajorClarity
• Anatomy of a High School Résumé – BigFuture (College Board)  
• Resume & Cover Letter Tips – University of North Georgia
• Resumes, Cover Letters and Job Applications - New York State
• Purdue's Complete Guide to Cover Letters - Purdue OWL
• Cover Letter Workshop - Purdue OWL
• Résumés - Purdue OWL
• Résumés and CVs - Purdue OWL

Most interviews are less formal than people imagine. Show up a little early, sit up straight, and be polite—that alone sets the right tone. Bring a copy of your résumé just in case. When you answer questions, don’t worry about having perfect words; just be clear and honest. If you need a second to think, that’s fine—take it. Before you leave, thank the person for their time, and later, send a quick note or email. Small gestures like that are remembered.

Suggested resources for this topic:

• Tips for a Successful Interview – University of North Georgia
• 11 Job Interview Tips for Teens – Indeed.com