Credential/Portfolio Information and Guidelines
In order to maximize the benefit that students receive as result of participating in the Community College Initiative Program, CCID requests that Project Coordinators assist the students in assembling a credentials file or portfolio as an ongoing project throughout the year. The credentials file is a set of documents which will record the student’s experience in the program and assist him/her in a job search at home. It can be in the form of an e-portfolio or a hard copy file such as a binder. It should include the following:
- Cover Letter
- Capability Statement (competencies and skill sets gained as a result of the training)
- Resume
- Description of Community Colleges in the U.S. generally (attached) and profile of the particular college attended
- Description of CCID scholarship emphasizing development of leadership qualities (attached)
- Course Descriptions
- Letters of Recommendation from faculty and internship supervisors
- Description of Internships (number of hours, job duties)
- Official copy of transcript, diploma and/or certificate; description of an Associate Degree, if needed
The general guidelines for creating the Credential Files are as follows:
- Each student is ultimately responsible for creating his/her own Credential File, however, he/she should do so by working closely with the Project Coordinator.
- In order to receive a certificate of program completion from CCID, students must turn in a credentials file or complete an e-portfolio for review by the Project Coordinator
- Project Coordinators are responsible for providing resources and scheduling trainings on how to prepare these materials.* (We suggest you use the career center on campus to work with the students during the weekly meeting.)
- We recommend that students develop their résumé in their native language and provide translations of course descriptions and other documents as appropriate.
- Students should have both paper copies and electronic versions and so that they can continue to update résumés and other documents easily after they return to their home countries.
* Notes: At some colleges, the development of these materials will be part of the academic course work that the students are already completing. At other colleges, developing these materials has been part of the applied FDR learning outcomes (specifically, it could fall under the “build presentation, networking, and leadership skills” outcome.)
Job Search Process:
Students should begin researching job opportunities several months before they return to their home countries. We recognize that some students may have a clear idea of where they want to work, while others may not know where to apply, or how to search. To assist in this process, CCID is planning to connect with in-country program representatives (at the Fulbright Commissions and/or Embassies) to develop lists of business contacts. In addition, we hope to encourage in-country representatives to give informational presentations to USAID contract agencies and the local US Chambers of Commerce to promote graduates of the program to prospective employers.
Rather than writing generic cover letters during the training they receive, they can start writing to companies in their home countries where they hope to be employed.
Alumni Program
CCID will be developing an alumni network for the CCI programs. In addition, students have access to the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) State Alumni database. This database includes alumni from any U.S. government-sponsored exchange program and is a dynamic and interactive networking experience. Alumni can look for jobs, post resumes, find fellow alumni, learn about events, and participate in online discussions.