PurposePurpose

A professional development plan to enhance your skills and abilities to make you more competitive for scholarships, transferring and careers.

Why Participate?Why Participate?• To learn more about yourself

• To strengthen leadership and professional skills

• To create an online portfolio of accomplishments

• To gain a competitive advantage!

What Traits Are Valued?What Traits Are Valued?• Being a quick learner

• Able to build and mend relationships

• Composure

• Compassion and sensitivity

• Inspiring commitment

• Resourcefulness

• Self-awareness

Competitive Edge focuses on… Competitive Edge focuses on… • Communication skills

• Interpersonal skills

• Problem solving skills

• Flexibility/adaptability/creativity

• Planning/organizing

• Team building

• Leadership skills

• Analytical/research skills

How Do Members Gain How Do Members Gain Competitive Edge?Competitive Edge?

STEP ONE:

Log in to password-protected site at

my.ptk.org

How Do Members Gain How Do Members Gain Competitive Edge?Competitive Edge?

STEP TWO:

Familiarize yourself with the website

my.ptk.org my.ptk.org Features:

• Competitive Edge

• Hallmark Awards

• Scholarship Applications

• Coming Soon: Officer and Advisor

Education Resources

Competitive Edge ComponentsCompetitive Edge Components

• Level Requirements

• Online Courseware (Videos)

• Electives

• Mahara – online or E-portfolio

Home Page (myptk)

How Do Members Gain How Do Members Gain Competitive Edge? Competitive Edge?

STEP THREE:

Start Level One by completing the Pre-Assessment

How Do Members Gain How Do Members Gain Competitive Edge? Competitive Edge?

STEP FOUR:

Participate in activities and complete brief questionnaire to earn points.

Level One Activities

Online CoursewareOnline Courseware

Examples:

• Good Writing in a Techno World

• Making Presentations

• Overcoming Speech Anxiety

• Professional Etiquette

• Critical Thinking

• Scholarship Application Tips

How Do Members Gain How Do Members Gain Competitive Edge?Competitive Edge?

STEP FIVE:

Write about accomplishments in online portfolio.

Mahara Online Portfolio

Mahara – Online Portfolio

Online PortfolioOnline Portfolio

Mahara offers:• Portfolio to post writings, videos, pictures for

different audiences, purposes

• Resume builder

• Blog

• Social networking site (think Facebook)

How Do Members Gain How Do Members Gain Competitive Edge? Competitive Edge?

STEP SIX:

Complete Post-Assessment.

“Rinse and repeat.”

Let’s Review!Let’s Review!

Step One: Log in at my.ptk.orgStep Two: Review the websiteStep Three: Complete Pre-AssessmentStep Four: Complete activitiesStep Five: Post to your online portfolioStep Six: Complete Post-Assessment

Online Portfolio & Resume MistakesOnline Portfolio & Resume Mistakes

• Typos & grammatical erros – oops, errors!

• Lack of specifics – one size may NOT fit all!

• Information overload

• Visually too busy

Online Portfolio & Resume MistakesOnline Portfolio & Resume Mistakes

• No action verbs

Instead of ‘Responsible for IT Help Desk…”

Resolved user questions as part of IT Help Desk for more than 400 staff

• Leaving out important info

• Incorrect contact info

Competitive Edge Competitive Edge TimelineTimeline• Work at your own pace!

• Use past experience for Competitive Edge activities

• Include other activities outside of Phi Theta Kappa

Five Star MembersFive Star MembersWill have…• Coordinated an Honors in Action Project

• Completed a minimum of 6 online courseware modules

• A professional resume

• Significant leadership experience

• Opportunity to purchase a unique Five Star Member pin

Five Star Member Pin

Competitive Edge BenefitsCompetitive Edge Benefits

ALL Competitive Edge members will have…

• A customized Phi Theta Kappa Experience

• Enhanced Letters of Recommendation

• Online portfolio to share with others!

Competitive Edge Competitive Edge Goes Where You GoGoes Where You Go

Alumni may continue to use Competitive Edge:

• Continue to access instructional videos

• Add to your online portfolio

Make the Most of Competitive Edge by…Make the Most of Competitive Edge by…

• Completing project/activity before posting it

• Proofreading postings

• Providing thoughtful reflections

• Taking leadership role in Honors in Action Project

• Organizing online portfolio

Questions? Email competitive_edge@ptk.org

OR

Jennifer Stanford

Dean of Service Learning

jennifer.stanford@ptk.org

601.984.3532