What is a Portfolio Career?
A portfolio career is a type of employment that involves working in various different areas at the same time. It is sometimes also referred to as a “slash career” because of the way the occupation may appear on an individual’s resume – with various “slashes” separating different activities or job titles.
Rather than having one full-time job, a portfolio career might involve part-time work, contract work, freelance work, and consulting work. It is an especially attractive option for those who desire flexibility, independence, and variety in their work.
Benefits of a Portfolio Career
There are many benefits to having a portfolio career:
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- Variety: You get to experience different kinds of work, and you often don’t get bored due to a lack of variety.
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- Flexibility: You can create a schedule that works best for you and often work remotely.
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- Financial Security: You can often enjoy steady income and more financial stability than you might with a single job.
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- Inspiration and Learning: You gain skills and knowledge from different jobs that can often be transferable. You often get to work with different people, and this can inspire new ideas.
Challenges of a Portfolio Career
Despite the many benefits, a portfolio career does have its challenges:
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- Organization: You will likely need to be highly organized to manage different projects, schedules, clients, and finances.
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- Income Risks: You may experience ups and downs in terms of income.
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- Time Commitment: You may need to dedicate more than full-time hours to manage a portfolio career successfully.
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- Marketing: You need to be highly proactive when marketing yourself and your services. This often requires good networking skills and a strong online presence.
Overall, having a portfolio career can be extremely rewarding, but it is important to be aware of the manageable challenges that you may encounter along the way. For those seeking to have variety and flexibility in their work, a portfolio career may be just the perfect fit.
