Dear Friends and Students
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, however, as I see deep, started contemplating and
reflecting, making sense and confident that it is going to be future trend. If
you are interested to stand before future rough career weather, No more focus
on your “Career Path” but Build “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 in the ladder.
“Career Path” is a singular
pursuit (study hard, get a job, work hard, work for the next promotion, wait and
work for the 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 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 combination of skills, experience and talents, with
best blend.
Though “Career Portfolio” coined in 1990s by Charles Handy, it did not
became 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 “Career Portfolio”
than people with 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 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 you need to do after your develop good “Career Portfolio”? – Do Portfolio
Narrative!! You need to narrate your story, 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 “Career Portfolio” to some extent. My
Portfolio Narrative-
- When I was studying my Bachelors, I attempted to “teach”
+2 Students (Chemistry) in a Junior College.
- During my masters, 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 last 10 years, still counting
- Joined Educational Institution as Director, Center for
Innovation and Incubation, still counting
- Started offering Career advice to set of students,
still counting
- Attempting to take care of my family including old parents, of course, 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 “Career Portfolio”!
Your Well-wisher
Ravi Saripalle
Join Inspire to Innovate Storytelling Movement (i2itm.blogspot.com)
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
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