Skip to main content

Will a Portfolio Career Make Me an Expert At Nothing?

The Health Industry

You may have heard of the phrase, “A jack of all trades is a master of none,” which has the connotation that we should pick a path and become experts at it. However, there might be benefits to having some variety in your career.

What if I Know What I Want to Be?

The father of noted comedian Lewis Black changed his career. After years of being a painter, he quit and did something else. When questioned, Lewis’s dad replied, “I ran out of ideas.” This may sound like a stark and almost defeatist statement to some, but to those who have had full and rich careers, it is the mark of someone who has finished with a career. He put it to rest and moved on.

Knowing what you want to be is fine, but do not pigeonhole yourself into one career, and do not assume that what you are doing in ten years will be what you are doing in twenty years. Also, putting a career to bed doesn’t have to be a sad thing. When you feel you have done all you can do in a certain career, then putting it to rest is a good thing.

But Healthcare Professionals Cannot Change Their Disciplines?

While there are some people who start out as dentists and stay dentists until retirement, there are many people who switch up their careers as they go. Although the possible combinations of “before and after” careers are seemingly endless, examples might be an Anaesthetist who becomes an Intensivist, a radiographer who becomes a nurse, or a nurse who becomes a psychologist or counsellor. Practitioners from a wide range of health professions may have a good idea of what to expect from a career in counselling because they fulfil several of those roles in their workday life already.

Isn’t This Just a Case of Being Indecisive?

There is no set rule that says somebody has to do the same job their whole career. People can still become experts in a new field even if they have changed careers, and there may even be scope to combine knowledge, skills and experience from multiple fields across a portfolio career to become an expert in a niche area. There can be strategy behind these moves, rather than indecision being the driving force. Financial considerations may be important when moving to a new area.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *