Discussion Post Responses

Two Classmates Discussion Posts for Responses

By Day 6

Respond to at least two of your colleagues’ posts by offering additional ideas regarding academic achievements to include or offering alternative ways of presenting the current achievements.

Classmate 1 Initial Post:

Throughout my journal to becoming a nurse-scholar, I am learning the importance of building a personal brand. A portfolio provides a great opportunity to give a visual of my academic and professional accomplishments. M.K. Burns states there at least three reasons to create a portfolio, self-promotion, evidence of outcomes and structure and direction (2018).  I am working towards developing strategies on how to incorporate my academic activities and accomplishments into my professional development goals. 

My first strategy for developing my portfolio is to formulate and collect documents which include my education and history of employment. Portfolio development is a professional requirement, enabling staff to provide documentary evidence of skills, knowledge, and experience from a range of sources (Casey DC & Egan D. 2010). 

My second strategy includes determining what type of portfolio I want to develop. I believe it is important to have both electronic and paper portfolio. Electronic portfolios are more likely to be used with today’s technology. Another consideration is that some employers might want something tangible also.

Walden University’s mission is to provide a diverse community of career professionals with the opportunity to transform themselves as scholar-practitioners so they can effect positive social change (Walden University Catalog, n.d.). My goals are to also create positive social change. I would like to bring lightness into my patient’s lives where sometimes only darkness exists. By extending kindness as well as applying my knowledge and expertise to my practice, I can promote cultural change. 

Classmate 2 Initial Post:

Strategies for Academic Portfolios

A portfolio is a crucial way to showcase my academic achievements and demonstrate my skills and expertise. It is also a meaningful way to market myself as a professional (Michalak & Rysavy, 2021). To develop a portfolio, I will start by reflecting on my strengths and accomplishments. I will also make sure my portfolio is well-organized and easy to navigate. To realize this, I will present my information in a clear and concise way. I will use high-quality visuals to strengthen my message and include a persuasive cover letter that introduces myself and explains the purpose of my portfolio.

There are some approaches that I will utilize to ensure my academic accomplishments are integrated into my professional portfolio (Galán-Mañas, 2018). One strategy is to create a section of my portfolio devoted explicitly to my academics. Within this section, I will include such metiers as course transcripts, degree certificates, and lists of scholarships and awards that I have received. According to Alzouebi (2019), this will provide readers with the knowledge that I am qualified and have the experience to succeed in this role. Another strategy is to weave my academic experiences into the overall narrative of my professional development story. For example, I will discuss how my leadership roles have helped me prepare for my career.

To ensure my work aligns with Walden University's emphasis on social change, I will consider including examples of papers I have written that explore pressing social issues. I could also highlight any awards or scholarships I have received or showcase my volunteer work in the community. Most importantly, I will ensure I stay true to my values and goals. This will help me succeed in future endeavors and achieve my personal and professional goals.