The Internship Portfolio: An Innovative Tool for Experiential Learning, Critical Thinking, and Communication

Abstract

The Internship Portfolio is a collection of work showing effort, progress, and achievement in the internship experience. While the resulting product is a valuable selfmarketing tool, the real focus is on the development process. This process engages the intern to generate materials that document claims regarding skills, abilities, and understandings resulting from an internship. In the test project, portfolios included writing, self-reflection statements, photographs, sketches, models, and other forms of “evidence.” Interns engage in class discussions of internship experiences, peer assessment of partners’ work, and self-assessment. Interviews with industry professionals allow interns to present the portfolio effectively.