Are You Working towards a “Career Path” or Building a “Career Portfolio”? Time to invest in Latter! Say Bye to “Career Path”!! Read this Interesting Perspective!!

Dear Friends and Students

A few days back, I received a Harvard Business Review article from one of my WhatsApp friends written by April Rinne (a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, one of the 50 Leading Female Futurists in the world).

Initially, I ignored it, however, as I see deep, started contemplating and reflecting, making sense and confident that it is going to be the future trend. If you are interested to stand before future rough career weather, No more focusing on your “Career Path” but Build a “Career Portfolio”.  

What is this new concept? Is it old squash in a new make? Yes, it is not new but it was not in focus in the past. 20 years back, someone joins an organization, he/she was focusing only on how to excel in the current job, learn skills, impress manager and management and raise on the ladder.

 “Career Path” is a singular pursuit (study hard, get a job, work hard, work for the next promotion, wait and work for future promotions, and get retired). Employers were looking for such workers. Aspirants used to respond to the Employer’s ask at a cost of their divergent thinking and skills.

“Career Portfolio” is a relatively new word (language necessary to design a future career), a new philosophy, and thinking. It is a response to the diverse professional journey, various twists, and turns, whether made by choice or by circumstance. It is a combination of skills, experience, and talents, with the best blend.

Though “Career Portfolio” was coined in the 1990s by Charles Handy, it did not become a choice for organizations and people. It is a process of Broadening your career focus and professional identity. The future of the work demands independent and adaptable thinkers. It looks for people with a “Career Portfolio” than people with an impeccable career path.

HBR article Author’s (Ms. April Rinne) “Career Portfolio” include- Author, Speaker, Futurist, Advisor, Lawyer, Hiking Guide, Global Development Executive, Investor, and Yoga Practitioner.

Career Portfolio is developed over a period of time! It cannot be done during a 4 year Degree!! Career Portfolio includes any help rendered to orphans, you are taking care of your old parents, community service, passion projects, hobbies, parenting, etc.
Why New age Employers are closely looking for people with a great “Career Portfolio”? - Unique professional identity, lifelong learning, your ability to cross-pollinate, tackle challenges, ability to face a world of uncertainty in a business.

What do you need to do after you develop a good “Career Portfolio”? – Do Portfolio Narrative!! You need to narrate your story, or else the entire effort becomes useless!!

What is the role of Futuristic Institutions? New age Institutions including existing IITs, NITs, Deemed to be Universities and Regular UG Institutions need to upgrade their CDCs (“Career Path” Development Centers) to CPDPs (“Career Portfolio” Development Centers). CPDCs need to narrate their story well so that Employers pick up their Future Real Talent there!!

My Story! After reading this article, I started contemplating, whether I do have any “Career Portfolio” or not! Me being in my 40’s, If I look back, be it plan or accident, I attempted to develop a “Career Portfolio” to some extent. My Portfolio Narrative-

• When I was studying for my bachelor's, I attempted to “teach” +2 Students (Chemistry) in a Junior College.
• During my master's, I attempted to do “Home Tuition” for similar age groups.
• During my Wipro Stint (14 years- Coder, Business Analyst, Pre-Sales, IT Outsourcing/Offshoring Consultant, Project/Program Management, Quality Specialist)
• Post Wipro, Started a Consulting Startup (Srujana and Dukeship Consulting) but Miserably Failed
• Started “Inspire to Innovate Storytelling Movement” for the last 10 years, still counting
• Joined Educational Institution as Director, Center for Innovation and Incubation, still counting
• Started offering Career advice to a set of students, still counting
• Attempting to take care of my family including old parents, of course, the family should tell & feel whether I am of any help to them or not !! J
• Mentoring and helping a few startups and still counting
• Attempting to be a YouTuber, Blogger, and handling Social Media with a purpose

Dear Students,
What is your “Career Portfolio Narrative”? Can you write? Helpful for your employers!
Build a “Career Portfolio”!
Your Well-wisher
Ravi Saripalle

Source:https://hbr-org.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/hbr.org/amp/2021/10/why-you-should-build-a-career-portfolio-not-a-career-path

About the Author

Dr. Ravi Saripalle, Director, Center for Innovation and Incubation, Gayatri Vidya Parishad College of Engineering, Vizag, AP, India., Founder, Inspire to Innovate Storytelling Movement, Former Program Manager, Wipro Technologies, 23 of Experience in Industry, Mentoring, Research, and Academics.

Note: Opinions expressed by authors are their own.

Pics Source: Pixabay