According to a study by the National Association for Colleges and Employers (NACE), employers look for talent online, especially through social media. On the other hand, students view social media as a private affair. So as you can see, there’s a major disconnect. Employers are looking for evidence of ability, passion, skills, and knowledge, and GenDIY wants to show what they know in a way that goes beyond a transcript or static resume. Digital portfolios allow the evidence to speak for itself. These narratives can then be shared and leveraged for future opportunities. I have learned that GenDIY seeks to tell the story they want their audience to hear–whether it’s an assortment of experiences they’ve had through travel and internships or a collection of projects and solutions they’ve created in their free time. A resume disqualifies you–it gets skimmed by a hiring manager looking for any excuse to toss it into the reject pile. Filling it with the latest and trendiest buzz words won’t do much to show a potential employer who you are. In contrast, a digital portfolio qualifies you. It shows what you know, reveals your accomplishments, and demonstrates your capabilities. The portfolio differentiates you from the other “hard-working, problem-solving, team-players” that you’re up against by showing the employer the real you. Thus, portfolios are especially helpful for GenDIYers who often have diverse experiences and skills that they have gained from extracurricular pursuits.

I believe GenDIY is fundamentally changing the way we present ourselves and our potential to share ourselves in meaningful ways. It is one of the most phenomenal aspects of making our mark with technology. While traditional formal education is still valued in our society, moxie, smarts, resourcefulness, hard work, and diligence are now the new currencies that can bolster success. A portfolio is more powerful than a thousand words. It is the best mechanism for differentiating people and what they can do. I encourage anyone serious about breaking through the clutter to start curating their careers and collecting evidence of their skills and abilities in a portfolio. It’s one of the most enduring ways of communicating and customizing what you know to multiple audiences in both private and public ways.