BCA or Bachelor of Computer Applications is a great degree course for students wanting to build a career in the highly vibrant IT sector today. Though there is no doubt about it, but the ground reality is that whether it is information technology, architecture, journalism, social media or writing – getting a job has become highly competitive in the present. So, if you are a student enrolled for a BCA course, you must know that in order to stand out from the crowd and leave a positive impression on the recruiters, you will need to build a strong portfolio for yourself. Ideally, the perfect time to learn new skills, get involved in extracurricular activities and grow your connections is during your college life – and that too when you have comparatively settled down in your second year. Always remember, you will require a portfolio to demonstrate your talent, skills and dedication towards work. And, if you are thinking of just how to showcase your work portfolio, here are some unique ways that can help you in creating a decent portfolio for yourself.
You must get involved in student organizations
By joining the various activities of your college’s student clubs and organizations that interest you is a great way to get some professional experience. These activities can bring forth opportunities such as writing for university magazines, volunteering for sports tournaments and organizing events. As BCA students, you can also attend skill development workshops and career fairs to establish contacts with industry professionals.
You must participate in competitions
During your studies, you will find many competitions to participate in various fields from engineering to performing arts. Remember, these competitions are not only a fantastic way to enhance your skills but will also help you in contributing more to your portfolio. Although winning a competition gives you emotional satisfaction, participating has its strong advantages too.
You must give internships their due importance
It has been generally found that one of the best ways to build a strong portfolio is to take up as many part-time jobs or internships as you can. These part-time jobs will require you to develop significant skills and responsibilities that can add to your portfolio and make the most out of it. No matter where you have worked, these responsibilities can help you to gain recognition.
You must take up online courses
Because of the growing popularity of free online courses offered by Udemy, Coursera and others, e-learning has taken over the traditional classroom learning. As BCA students, you can strengthen your portfolio by taking up some relevant courses and thereby enhance your technical skills. With a wide range of subjects available from cloud computing to copywriting, you can definitely explore these courses and get your certifications.
You must build your social media presence
Social media is a powerful reality today. You can not only develop a strong portfolio through social media but can also showcase it on networking platforms such as LinkedIn or your personal blog. Please note here that your LinkedIn profile is as important as your resume, so make sure to list your achievements and skills on your profile. Moreover, you must build connections through social media to increase your followers so as to show the prospective employers your networking abilities.
These above-mentioned suggestions can certainly help you to build a strong portfolio while you are in college and have comparatively settled down in your second year. These efforts can improve your technical skills, build professional contacts, and help you to find out the right career for yourself. Hence, it is advisable to begin this portfolio building process in the early years of your education as it helps to showcase your skills to potential employers. Therefore, you must make sure to keep on collating your work, whether you choose to create an online portfolio or offline samples so that you can show it to your prospective employers during the recruitment process.