The portfolio
What is the YDL portfolio?
The creation of the portfolio is an opportunity for students to reflect on their years in the YDL program and their growth over time in the field of youth development.
We ask students to collect artifacts throughout their time to document this growth. This formal documentation and reflection of your leadership growth and accomplishments since your started the YDL program is designed by each individual in consultation with their advisor. It is presented as the final element of the YDL program.
Consider: What can you put together that will tell the story of your work with young people and your studies in youth development that best reflects your unique approach, passions and priorities? How might your portfolio be used to educate others about the importance of Youth Development Leadership?
Sample portfolios
Hard copy examples of previous YDL student portfolios are available for review in Peters Hall 140, and the following are two online samples:
Basic portfolio requirements
The portfolio can assume various forms. Nevertheless, certain basics are required.
- Updated resume
- Your program degree planning form [pdf].
- Your graduate transcript (unofficial is fine)
- Personal statement of philosophy of youth development leadership
- Any statements that synthesize or integrate your graduate experience
- Critical reflections and assessment of your field experience
- Summary of seminar activities and learning outcomes
- Selected papers from core courses and electives
- Portfolios can also include items such as:
- Public Documents (news articles, work projects)
- Private Documents (journal entries, letters)
- Personal reflections (plans for future action, reflection on past actions)
- Multi Media components (videos, photos, art)
Setting up your portfolio presentation
The portfolio presentation is a 1-1.5 hour conversation with at least two YDL faculty members (three is preferred). You may also invite outside faculty to participate. It should be scheduled well ahead of time.
STEP 1 – In consultation with your advisor design and produce a draft of your portfolio. Submit it to your advisor for comments.
STEP 2 - After incorporating suggested changes resubmit to your advisor for final approval.
STEP 3 – Send each faculty member attending your portfolio presentation your materials at least 2 weeks prior to your presentation.
The presentation
The creation of your portfolio allows you the opportunity to reflect on your experiences during the years in which you were in YDL. However, the portfolio presentation is not a presentation of the portfolio, per se. Faculty will already have reviewed your portfolio. Rather, the presentation is a chance to discuss key insights and reflections that arose during the creation and review of the portfolio.
Often students do start with a short presentation of 5-15 minutes. This presentation can highlight aspects of the YDL experience most important to the student. However, very soon faculty will want to start discussions with you about your ideas and insights. The discussion can build off artifacts or ideas from the portfolio itself, but the presentation will be focused on speaking with faculty about your experience in the program. Here are a set of typical questions faculty may ask during your presentation:
- What did you learn about your experience in YDL going through the process of creating your portfolio? What stood out?
- How did your field experience impact your work? What were the key things you learned?
- How has your philosophy on youth development changed during your time in YDL?
- Looking back at a particular paper you submitted in your portfolio, have your thoughts on that topic changed or evolved in any way?
- What about the program worked for you? What didn’t?
STEP 4 – At the end of the conversation/presentation you will be asked to step outside while faculty holds a short discussion.
STEP 5 – Be sure to get your program plan signed.
STEP 6 – Submit one copy (3 ring binder hard copy or disc and link if it’s web-based) for YDL records.
