Git Investment Portfolio: A Beginner's Guide

A portfolio is a compilation of materials that showcases your skills, qualifications, and experience. It provides insight into your personality and work ethic. Developers can use GitHub, a platform that stores, shares, and contributes to code repositories, to create a digital resume or portfolio. GitHub allows developers to demonstrate their previous experience and achievements and present their body of work in a well-curated manner. This can help them stand out from other job applicants and showcase their skill sets to potential employers.

To create a GitHub portfolio, you need to install Git on your device, prepare projects you want to feature, select a portfolio template, set up a code editor or integrated development environment (IDE), modify the template code, and push your code to GitHub. You can also optimize your portfolio for search engines by including keywords in your HTML files and meta tags.

There are various tools and software available to help track and evaluate the performance of an investment portfolio, such as Portfolio Performance, FinQuant, and Empyrial. These tools can help calculate performance indicators, update historical quotes, and rebalance your investment portfolio.

How to create a GitHub portfolio

A GitHub portfolio is a great way to showcase your skills and projects, especially for developers. It is a digital resume that allows you to provide proof of your capabilities and achievements. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to create a GitHub portfolio:

Install Git on Your Device:

The first step is to install Git on your device. GitHub needs Git, and the installation process will depend on your operating system (Windows, Mac, Linux). Familiarize yourself with how Git works, as it is a command-line tool by default. Alternatively, you can use an integrated development environment (IDE) to manage your Git repositories and facilitate coding.

Prepare Projects for Your Portfolio:

Decide on the projects you want to feature. This can include coursework, freelancing assignments, personal projects, college assignments, or even programming competitions. If you are a self-taught programmer, consider adding mini-projects to demonstrate your capacity and dedication to learning. You can also include blogs or vlogs that showcase your knowledge of coding and programming.

Create Your GitHub Portfolio:

Creating your GitHub portfolio involves several smaller steps:

• Select a portfolio template: Choose a portfolio boilerplate with an HTML template. You can find free templates online.
• Set up a code editor or IDE: As Git is a command-line tool, you will need a code editor. Popular options include Visual Studio Code (VS Code), Atom, or PyCharm.
• Modify the template code: Open the index.html file in your IDE to make any desired modifications.
• Push your code to GitHub: Create a GitHub account and log in. Click on the "+" icon, select "New Repository," and give your repository a name. Then, push your code and refresh your repository.

Go Live on GitHub Pages:

To make your portfolio visible to potential employers, go to the Settings of your repository and select GitHub Pages. Click on the link that says "Your site is ready to be published" to host your website live on GitHub.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid:

When building your GitHub portfolio, avoid focusing on quantity over quality. Select and showcase your best projects to make them stand out. Don't forget to add a README.md file, which serves as the entry point to your project and provides essential information for visitors. Don't be afraid to learn and experiment in public—potential recruiters value seeing your work and your commitment to improvement.

How to present your portfolio

How to Present Your Investment Portfolio

An investment portfolio is a collection of invested assets such as stocks, bonds, and funds. Presenting your portfolio effectively is crucial to attracting potential investors or employers. Here are some detailed steps to help you showcase your portfolio in the best light:

• Understand the platform: Familiarize yourself with the platform you are using to present your portfolio. In the case of GitHub, it is beneficial to know that it is built around a technology called Git, which allows you to create checkpoints of your code. This enables you to switch between different versions of your work.
• Curate your work: Select the projects you want to showcase in your portfolio. Include a variety of projects such as coursework, freelancing assignments, personal projects, and blogs. Ensure that your work demonstrates your skills, achievements, and previous experience.
• Create a digital resume: Your portfolio serves as a digital resume, providing proof of your capabilities. Structure it in a way that highlights your strengths and showcases your unique skill set.
• Visual appeal: Ensure your portfolio is visually appealing and easy to navigate. Use a clean and straightforward template, and consider adding charts, diagrams, and other visual elements to enhance the presentation of your work.
• Comment and explain: Include comments and explanations within your code to make it easier for others to understand your logic and follow your thought process. This is especially important if you are presenting complex projects or algorithms.
• Sell your project: Don't underestimate the power of a well-written description. Craft a compelling narrative around your project, highlighting its unique features, the problem it solves, and any interesting observations or findings. Make sure to "sell" your project by emphasizing its value and why it matters.
• Accessibility: Ensure that your work is accessible and easy to run for anyone who accesses your portfolio. Provide clear instructions on any necessary installations or dependencies. Consider using virtual environments and package managers to simplify the process for others.
• Data management: Handle large data files carefully. If the data files are restricted or too large, add them to a .gitignore file to ensure they are not included in the repository. Instead, provide instructions in the README file on how to download the data.
• Security: Be mindful of secret keys or sensitive information within your code. Do not commit secret keys or API keys directly to your repository. Use appropriate security measures, such as private configuration files, to protect this information while still allowing your code to function properly.
• Regular updates: Keep your portfolio up to date by regularly adding new projects, accomplishments, and research. Stay active in the field by engaging with new ideas and trends. This demonstrates your passion and commitment to your work.
• Showcase your portfolio: Once you are satisfied with your portfolio, share it with the world! Add your projects to your resume, LinkedIn profile, AngelList profile, and any other relevant platforms. Consider creating a dedicated portfolio page on your personal website to showcase all your work in one place.

Remember, presenting your investment portfolio is about telling a story and highlighting your unique skills and experiences. Make sure to tailor your portfolio to your audience, whether potential investors or employers, and always seek feedback to improve and refine your presentation.

Tracking and evaluating performance

Tracking and evaluating the performance of your investment portfolio is crucial for managing and monitoring your assets effectively. Here are some detailed instructions and strategies to help you with this process:

Choose Appropriate Metrics:

Select relevant performance metrics such as total return, yield, and rate of return. Total return is a crucial metric for performance evaluation and enables you to compare returns across different asset classes. Yield is typically expressed as a percentage and measures the income generated by an investment over a specific period. The rate of return considers both the income and the change in value of an investment, providing a comprehensive understanding of your profits or losses.

Set Monitoring Frequency:

Determine how often you will evaluate your portfolio's performance. A common approach is to conduct quarterly evaluations, aligning with the frequency of investment data reporting during earnings season. However, for long-term investment goals like retirement planning, you may opt for evaluating 5-year and 10-year returns over shorter periods.

Select a Performance Benchmark:

Choose a suitable benchmark to measure your portfolio's performance against. For stocks, the primary benchmark is the S&P 500 index, while for bonds, it is the Barclays US Aggregate Bond index. You can also use multiple benchmarks or a balanced index fund that aligns with your asset allocation.

Monitor Risk:

In addition to performance, monitor the risk associated with your investments. Utilize statistical risk methods such as Standard Deviation, Beta, R-Squared, Sharpe Ratio, and Sortino Ratio. Standard Deviation measures the volatility of your portfolio, indicating how much the price deviates from the average performance. Beta compares the volatility of an investment to the market, with a value greater than 1.0 indicating higher volatility than the market. R-squared represents the correlation between an investment's price movements and its benchmark, expressed as a percentage. The Sharpe ratio assesses the level of volatility you are taking on relative to the returns, helping you decide if the additional risk is justified. The Sortino ratio is similar but only considers downside risk, ignoring upside volatility.

Consolidated Statements:

If you have investments with multiple financial services firms, you may need to gather information from several statements to get a comprehensive view of your portfolio's performance. These statements can be in the form of regular paper statements or online access provided by the brokerage or financial services firm.

Create a Master Spreadsheet:

Compile a master spreadsheet that includes all your investments and their values at the time of your evaluation. This will help you easily track the progress of your investment goals and identify when your asset allocation has shifted, prompting the need for rebalancing.

Factor in Transaction Fees and Taxes:

Remember to include transaction fees and taxes in your calculations for accurate performance evaluation. These fees and taxes can impact your overall returns, so be sure to consider them when making investment decisions.

Compare Returns Over Time:

Evaluate your returns over several years to identify patterns and understand how your investments behave in different market environments. This will also help you identify which investments have consistently strong returns and which ones may need adjustments.

Evaluate Progress Towards Goals:

Regularly assess whether your portfolio is helping you achieve your investment goals. This evaluation will help you make informed decisions about adjusting your investment strategy or rebalancing your holdings to stay on track.

Using a portfolio template

Step 1: Install Git on your device

GitHub needs Git, but how you install Git will depend on the type of operating system you use (Windows, Mac, Linux). Therefore, the first step is to download Git and familiarize yourself with how it works.

While Git is strictly a command-line tool by default, you can adopt an integrated development environment (IDC) to manage your Git repositories and facilitate easy coding if you want.

Step 2: Prepare projects you want to feature in your GitHub portfolio

You need to show something as part of your portfolio, which includes coursework, freelancing assignments, and blogs. Here are some ideas about the kind of work you can add to your portfolio:

• Course work, personal projects, and college assignments
• Freelancing assignments and personal work
• Blogs or vlogs showcasing your knowledge of coding and programming

Step 3: Create your GitHub portfolio

To create a GitHub portfolio, you need to complete a series of smaller steps.

Select a portfolio template

If you don’t know your way around developing a website, it’s better to use CSS and HTML and simply choose a portfolio template.

While you’ll find tons of options, we recommend HTML5up. Keep in mind that the HTML5up template doesn’t come with images, but this isn’t much of an issue as you can use other sites like Unsplash to source high-quality, free, and usable images.

Set up a code editor or IDE

As Git is a command-line tool by default, you’ll need a code editor after downloading your desired template.

Visual studio code or VS code is one of the most popular free code editors that are not only optimized for writing codes but can also be used to create and debug cloud and web apps. It’s a shortcut that programmers use to write codes. Another option is Atom or PyCharm.

Regardless of your IDE/code editor of choice, you can use the tool to create your required CSS and HTML files.

Modify the template code

This step needs a little bit of HTML.

After setting up the code editor or IDE, you’ll find the modifications you want in index.html. Open the folder in the IDE, and extract all the files. You can go to the index.html module from your IDE. Right-click anywhere and select Open in the browser.

This will enable you to see any code you modify, along with the changes you make on the browser page.

Push your code to GitHub

At this stage, you should have something significant to add to your portfolio. Next, it’s time to push your code.

If you haven’t already created a GitHub account, make one and log in to your accounts.

Once that is done, on the top right-hand corner, click on the + icon and select New repository from the dropdown menu. In the box with the attached repository name, type the name you want to label your new repository. This is also where you’ll need Git knowledge and input command knowledge to push your code.

After pushing your code, refresh your repository.

Step 4: Go Live on GitHub

There is no point in having a Jupiter portfolio if you cannot show it to potential employers.

On the far right-hand corner of the repository, select Settings. Under the GitHub Pages option, you’ll see a link that reads Your site is ready to be published. Click on that link to host your website live on GitHub.

Congratulations! You now have a bright-new GitHub portfolio ready.

Sharing your portfolio

Now, you can share the link to your portfolio on your social media accounts, personal website, or email signature. This will allow potential employers or collaborators to learn more about you and your work.

Additionally, you can also add your projects to your resume, LinkedIn profile, AngelList profile, or personal website. If you have a large number of projects and don't want to include links to each one in your resume, consider creating a single GitHub repository called "portfolio." In the README of this repository, list all your projects with short explanations and links. This way, you can share a single link while still allowing people to access all your projects.

Frequently asked questions