By Dania Basli

Being in the college of communications, especially as a PR major, you will often be asked to submit profiles, resumes, cover letters, and graphics as assignments because they are part of the course work. So, it is not hard to figure out that the work that you submit could easily double as a portfolio that you could present to future employers.

For example, let’s take Penn State’s English 202D class; during that course you specifically work on English, grammar, and structure as pertaining to business paperwork and resumes. At the end of the class, you are asked to build a virtual portfolio as your final assignment. That virtual portfolio can be such a great asset to you when you are applying for jobs or internships, but how do you get it to be noticed and not lost within your other bullet points or documents?

The most effective way to try and get a recruiter to notice your work, if it makes sense within the context, is to try and work it into an email or interview so that it stands out to them. For example, when emailing a recruiter or potential connection, attach the link to your profile and make sure you point their attention to it (making you look like you are giving them more than just a resume and going above and beyond).

It is to be noted that a virtual portfolio, one of many examples of a beneficial course assignment, can contain all the material you think will impress – resume, cover letter, graphic and writing samples, and even a bio. Allow someone to get to know you while showcasing an important skill in PR!

So, the next time you get an assignment that you feel you have already done a million times, look at it from a different viewpoint, and use it to your advantage!