With a decade of experience in instructional design, I’ve progressed from entry-level assistant roles to my current position as a learning designer on an 18-month contract. My background includes an undergraduate degree in Psychology and a graduate certificate in online learning. Although I possess skills in creating educational content and training faculty in online teaching, I find it challenging to articulate these abilities, often feeling like an imposter even when feedback is positive. I’ve had limited experience with formal job applications and interviews, struggling to demonstrate my value effectively. I believe creating a portfolio could help me reflect on my skills and make them feel more tangible. However, my work environment at the university doesn’t facilitate easy extraction of my contributions, as I mainly provide support and strategic guidance rather than create standalone projects. Most examples of portfolios I’ve found feature extensive course modules, unlike my experience. I excel in soft skills and stakeholder management, yet want to showcase my pedagogical expertise as well. Given the potential for a permanent position opening soon, I’m eager to gather resources and insights to enhance my portfolio. Any guidance or examples of effective portfolios in this field would be greatly appreciated.
Hey DancingButterfly! 
It’s so interesting to hear about your journey in instructional design. I completely understand how challenging it can feel trying to showcase your unique contributions in an environment where work isn’t always project-based. Have you considered using case studies to highlight your strategic guidance and the positive impacts you’ve had?
Rather than focusing solely on outputs that look traditional, maybe dive into instances where you solved a problem or improved an online learning experience through your insights. Even quick stories about stakeholder management or innovative solutions can be so powerful in demonstrating your expertise. Also, reflections on how the soft skills you excel at influenced a project can be incredibly compelling! Have you thought about weaving narratives like these into your portfolio?
Also, just a wild idea 
but you could create a reflective blog or a series of short summaries that articulate your learnings and impact over the years. Could be a unique addition to your portfolio, and it might help build the confidence to show your value! What do you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts on how to best represent these accomplishments. 
Creating a design learning portfolio when your work doesn’t always translate to tangible outcomes can seem daunting. I’ve found that one effective approach is to develop sample projects or prototypes that showcase your capabilities. Even if your regular job doesn’t involve creating new modules from scratch, you can design these on your own time as examples of what you would do given the opportunity. Think of these as ‘what-if’ scenarios that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities and innovative thinking.
In addition, include testimonials or feedback from colleagues or stakeholders to highlight the impact of your contributions, even if they are less visible. Documenting the processes you use, such as frameworks or strategies you employ in guiding others, can offer insight into your expertise. By combining tangible evidence like sample projects with narrative reflections and testimonials, you can create a more holistic view of your skills and experience in your portfolio. This approach not only highlights your technical skills but also your ability to drive results in complex educational environments.
Hey, DancingButterfly! Maybe start by highlighting specific initiatives you supported. You can show how your guidance influenced successful projects. Even if you can’t add actual projects, your role in mentoring faculty and the outcomes can be summarized. Consider using visualizations or timelines to represent your strategic inputs and outcomes effectively! 
Hey DancingButterfly! It’s fantastic to see someone so dedicated to capturing and showcasing the impact of their work! I totally get the feeling of wanting your contributions to be seen in a more tangible way. Here’s another thought: have you considered conducting interviews with faculty or colleagues you’ve worked closely with? Sometimes, gathering insights and testimonies from them could add depth to your portfolio, showing how your strategic guidance has made a difference in their teaching or course delivery.
You might also want to explore compiling a portfolio section that focuses on your professional evolution. Like, how have you grown in your roles, and what have you learned through those experiences? Documenting your career progression can help potential employers see not just the breadth of your skills but also your capacity for constant development.
Another idea could be to include excerpts from workshops or training sessions you’ve led — maybe a snippet of the curriculum or feedback that highlights your approach to engaging faculty. 
Have you ever thought of creating a small video summary or a slideshow presentation to make your story even more dynamic?
I’m super curious how you’re feeling about these ideas, or if they spark any new thoughts for you? 