Online portfolios have become vital tools for recent graduates as they launch their careers. With the help of the Digital Studies Certificate Advisor, Amy Schultz, students earning the certificate get to build a digital portfolio in a final capstone course. These websites display the materials they created throughout their coursework and give them the tool they need to kick start their careers. We reached out to four recent Communication Arts graduates to hear how this asset has been valuable to them and to see what they’ve been up to since graduating:
Olivia Cozzini
My portfolio features a mix of class assignments and personal acting projects. I plan to separate these into two distinct websites—one dedicated to my public relations and communications career, and the other highlighting my acting work as I continue to pursue new projects. Thanks to the Digital Studies capstone course, I now have the tools and experience to bring this vision to life.
I currently work at a public relations firm in downtown Chicago, where I’m applying the communication skills I developed at UW–Madison while expanding into new areas and learning every day.
When I applied for this role, I included a link to my portfolio on my resume. It allowed me to showcase my work samples, passion projects, and creative endeavors that represent who I am as a whole. Because these elements don’t typically appear in a standard application, I truly believe my portfolio gave me a competitive edge during the hiring process!
Samantha Hawes
I just finished up my summer with the Madison Mallards and Night Mares as a Marketing Intern. It was an incredible experience, and I utilized many skills from my courses through the Digital Studies certificate. I spent the summer applying to jobs and internships and that is when my personal website was super helpful.
My job search was long and defeating at times, but I found a home at the Minnesota Wild! I started full-time seasonal as the Partnership Success Intern where I am assisting and helping the corporate partnership team with photography and gathering data. It has always been a dream of mine to work in professional sports, so I am SO excited about this opportunity. I am sure I will continue to utilize the skills and knowledge I gained in Digital Studies throughout this role.
Anna Krawczyk 
Having my portfolio positively impacted my job search and interview process by allowing me to tell potential employers more about myself beyond my resume and cover letters through the content on my website. It also shows potential employers that I have experience building and maintaining a website, showcasing a wide range of skills related to the digital environment.
Creating my portfolio in CA 605 was also a great example to use in interviews when asked about how I worked individually vs. on a team and what my work style was. This class was a great example of being a self-starter because we were given a large amount of time, resources, and creative freedom to create our portfolios, but also had a set of guidelines to follow and a deadline to meet. We largely worked on our own to build our portfolios, but my classmates and I also consulted each other regularly for feedback, which is a great example of how projects often go in the workplace. Shortly after graduation, I was offered a role as a Rotation Analyst with American Family Insurance, and this fall, I have started my first rotation as a Product Design Analyst, a UX/CX-focused role that utilizes digital studies and communications skills daily.
Stella Serafico
Building the portfolio helped me reflect on everything I’ve learned over the past four years, while also prompting me to consider what I truly want for my future. It required me to showcase my best work and think about how potential employers might perceive me and my passions.
I was offered the position of Front of House Manager at Comfort Fuel and plan to stay there for the school year while applying for other jobs in the Midwest. I have also been doing contract social media work for Josh Klemons. I create weekly videos of events going on in Madison for his @welovemadisondotcom account on Instagram. I have highlighted some of my work for both the Comfort Fuel and We Love Madison Instagram accounts in my portfolio under the Social Media section.