Portfolio Careers | Antidote to Recession?

Ok here’s a quick look at my own personal career trajectory.
Wanted to be a doctor. Fainted once when I saw blood. That ends that then.
Went to college and loved law. Studied a law degree for a year. Hated it. Left.
Loved enterprise so started to work as an accountant to ensure I could manage my money better.
Moved from accounts into systems management. Set up my IT business. Wiped out by 911.
Moved into more project management. Left projects and started education and training business.
Set up entertainment company. Next step? Hmmmm

I personally think that if I was at school now I would be diagnosed with ADD. In addition to the career paths I mentioned I also was a singer, poet, concert promoter, stand up comic, mentor, youth worker, professional speaker and CV(resume) writer. I just found that I could not sit still with one project and had to dabble in more than one. My Mum asked me if I was ” a jack of all trades” and master of none, and do know you what, I have no problem with that.

I mentioned in a previous post that I fully embrace being a portfolio careerist. I have no problems having my finger in more than one pie. Yes of course sometimes this could lead to a lack of focus (this is where wifey comes in and reels me back in) but this is what I enjoy. So here are a couple of reasons why I think having a portfolio career could help in these times of recession.

Variety of Income Streams
Some of my friends who are in the creative industries often have to work from project to project. So a musician can be on tour, yet also teach singing workshops, write for other people, produce, do session singing as well as indulging in any other areas they have talents. My friend Lola for example writes a number of articles for leading publications as well as being a singer, songwriter and consultant. Sure as heck beats worrying about that one job and whether you are going to be sacked or not in the downturn.

Engages Talent
One of my favourite blogs of the minute is The Four Hour Week by Tim Ferris. Of course I realise not everyone is in the position to replicate what he does but it’s amazing that we are not confined to one single career path. Many of us have more than one talent. Of course some of these we want to keep solely as hobbies but isn’t it great if you could earn a living from the work you love, as Nick Williams encourages.

A portfolio career does not diminish a main focus on a specific career, rather it provides some flexibility. Talented professionals should have the opportunity to be themselves rather than being this mundane desk monkey tied to a routine that, in many instances, leaves them unfulfilled.

The author Marci Alboher wrote a book called One Person Multiple Careers: A New Model for Work/Life Success. In this book she talks about how people have managed portfolio careers. She refers to porfolio careerists as slash careerists and in an interview with LifeTwo.Com said this approach is way to integrate and fully express the multiple passions, talents, and interests that a single career often cannot accommodate–leading to a greater sense of fullfillment. I couldn’t agree anymore. So people instead of fretting about what the boss is going to do, maybe it is time to look into whether not just your 9-5 but your 5-9 could help to take you through the tougher economic times.

In the meantime have a look at this video.

Filed under: Work , Marci Alboher, Multiple Careers, Nick Williams, Portfolio Careers, Recession, Slash Career