What should I put in my practicum portfolio?

A portfolio shows skills that a resume can only claim. It works best when it's curated. A few excellent pieces beat a folder of everything you touched. If your program requires a formal practicum portfolio, follow its required contents first, then use the guidance below to strengthen it.

Choose pieces that show range

Aim for roughly five to eight items that demonstrate different capabilities. Good candidates from a practicum include:

• A data analysis, dashboard, or visualization
• A fact sheet, infographic, or other audience-tailored communication
• An evaluation plan, logic model, or needs assessment
• A presentation you delivered to staff, partners, or community members
• A policy brief, literature summary, or grant section

Lean toward work that matches the roles you want. If you're aiming for evaluation jobs, lead with evaluation work.

Give every piece context

A product without framing is hard to judge. For each item, add a short description covering what it is, the problem it addressed, your specific role, the constraints you worked within, and the outcome. For group projects, spell out exactly what you personally produced. Briefly explaining a decision you made, or how you revised after feedback, shows judgment as well as output.

Keep it easy to review

Use excerpts, executive summaries, or key graphics instead of 40-page reports. A simple website works for sharing a link. A tailored PDF works for specific applications. Test every link before you send it.

Clear it before you share it

Practicum work often contains confidential organizational or community information. Ask your site what you can include, and redact, anonymize, or describe work conceptually when needed.

The easiest portfolios to build come from evidence saved during the practicum, including drafts, final versions, and feedback. See creating a portfolio that stands out for format options and common mistakes.