A new social media platform coming to the Cal Poly Pomona campus will soon give students and alumni novel ways of sharing their work experience, capstone projects and resumes in a setting that lets them network with peers and industry professionals.
Portfolium is remniscent of LinkedIn, but with a multimedia twist. Think of it as a resume that shows experience and skills through interactive and visual means.
"It adds a new dimension to the conventional resume," says Glendy Yeh, associate chief information officer for the campus. "It is a digital platform where our students and alumni can showcase their projects, accomplishments and talent."
Tom Munnerlyn, director Cal Poly Pomona's Career Center, says Portfolium is ideal for students whose academic achievements can't be conveyed on paper alone.
"On a resume you can't include a video of putting together a project or presenting research in front of an audience," says Munnerlyn. "It hits home more than just seeing it on paper. This is the 21st century."
Melissa Riordan, executive director for alumni affairs at Cal Poly Pomona, adds that Portfolium can be a powerful resource for CSU graduates.
"Our alumni are a diverse group of people. Newly graduated alumni are looking for their first careers. More established alumni might be looking to advance professionally or change careers," Riordan says. "I'm really excited about the potential Portfolium holds for all of them."
The CSU-wide launch of Portfolium is rooted in successful launches at Cal State San Marcos, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Cal State Northridge. According to the CSU chancellor's office, 70 percent of San Marcos students began building portfolios within three days of the rollout on that campus. Over 80,000 CSU students have already joined Portfolium outside of the campuses that have had official launches.