New research from Carrie Rafanello-Bazar, Raritan Valley Community College faculty member and Career Counselor, “Building Tomorrow’s Professionals: How ePortfolios and NACE Competency Reflection Shape Career Readiness and Professional Identity,” published by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), presents findings from her yearlong study of RVCC biology students.
Rafanello-Bazar’s work shows how the 6-I ePortfolio Framework—which she developed to integrate NACE career competencies and structured ePortfolio reflection into coursework—helps students build professional identity, connect academic learning to career goals, and articulate workplace-ready skills such as communication, critical thinking, and teamwork. The reflection framework asks students to evaluate their own learning experiences and consider why their academic work matters, what professional skills were practiced, and how it impacts their future educational and career goals.
Rafanello-Bazar’s study also offers practical recommendations and a scalable model for embedding career readiness directly into the curriculum, reinforcing the College’s commitment to preparing students for career success early in their academic journeys.
To learn more, visit https://www.naceweb.org/career-readiness/best-practices/building-tomorrows-professionals-how-eportfolios-and-nace-competency-reflection-shape-career-readiness-and-professional-identity.
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August 13, 2026
Media contact: Donna Stolzer, 908-526-1200, ext. 8383
