If you find it difficult to commit to one career path or simply cannot find fulfillment from any specific job, a portfolio career may be your perfect solution. Achieve personal fulfillment while safeguarding the future with multiple jobs on offer through different portfolio careers!
But the process can also be daunting and time consuming, so here are a few key points to keep in mind before taking the plunge.
1. Learn New Skills
Learning new skills and turning them into income sources is one way of building a portfolio career. This could range from running a training business, freelancing or becoming a public speaker - there's boundless opportunity!
Portfolio careers allow you to explore various career options without making a full-time commitment, until finding one that resonates with you. They also enable more flexible work arrangements and improved work-life balance.
Many professionals with portfolio careers use various sources of income to supplement their bills - such as freelancing, board directorships and consultancy work. Although any single job might not provide enough cash flow to cover bills alone, diversifying income sources helps provide stability.
2. Start a Business
As traditional corporate jobs decline in relevance, workers are prioritizing freedom and flexibility over security and stability - leading to an emerging way of working known as portfolio careers.
Portfolio careers come in all shapes and sizes; for instance, a speaker could also run their own public speaking business on the side to supplement their fee per speech while working as a marketing consultant and freelance copywriter.
Portfolio careers can be exciting and fulfilling, yet also present unique challenges. Finding an adequate balance among all of your income sources may prove challenging; freelancers and other independent contractors typically do not receive benefits like health insurance and retirement matching plans; additionally they must also pay self-employment taxes.
3. Get a Mentor
Hiring a mentor is one of the best ways to increase your odds of success in any new field. They can help guide you away from mistakes and accelerate the learning process.
Search online for mentorship opportunities. Many professional and social organizations offer mentoring programs designed to assist those pursuing careers in specific fields, while there are nonprofits dedicated to making specific areas more accessible for people from marginalized groups.
Once you've identified potential mentors, reach out. Request their time and advice; thank them for their time; follow up periodically via email on how their guidance has helped advance your career; consider asking them for referrals of people who could benefit from their expertise; thank them again as often as necessary!
4. Start Freelancing
Alternatively, if you prefer exploring various ideas or don't wish to stick with just one path until retirement, a portfolio career could be just the thing for you. With all its advantages (work history and income), such as flexibility and independence from one career path or another until retirement comes calling.
However, freelance work comes with its own set of challenges. Many independent contractors - especially freelancers - lack benefits such as health insurance, retirement matching or paid time off; additionally it can be challenging to maintain healthy self-esteem without an established plan for your future.
Engaging with other independent workers to gain more insight into how they manage their careers can provide invaluable advice on creating a practical approach to portfolio working that suits both your needs and lifestyle.
5. Start a Side Business
Create an online portfolio is a fantastic way to highlight your skills and work history, as well as identify potential new career options.
As portfolio careers gain in popularity, more people are opting for this form of employment. Whether for financial security or to enhance meaning in their work, many find this style of life fulfilling and beneficial.
However, this career path may present its own set of unique challenges. It requires much focus and devotion from you in managing multiple income streams effectively and it is crucial that you have an effective support network in place to help navigate you through any rough patches along the way.
