NHD STUDENT BLOG SERIES
Portfolio careers: are they the new normal?
By NHD blogger, Sian Cunningham, RD
With summer fast approaching, many of you may be looking for work, whether it be your first dietetic or nutritionist role after qualifying, or some work to keep you going over the summer break. There are many roles that can support your development and growth as a healthcare professional. Pretty much any job that sees you working with people, as part of a team or providing customer service, can help to grow your confidence, communication and organisational skills, putting you in a stronger position as you consider your future career in nutrition and dietetics.
So, what is a portfolio career?
It’s worth knowing that many people, particularly post-pandemic, are now considering and enjoying a portfolio career (myself included!) rather than following the more traditional career path upon qualifying.
Sometimes called a 'squiggly career', [1] a portfolio career comprises a variety of jobs instead of the traditional career of having one full-time job at a time. The squiggly bit represents your movements as you try different things within your career journey, rather than a straight line of taking a job and progressing solely within that role or specialism.
A portfolio career will look different for everyone, but it could be that a person has more than one part-time job; for example, one in the NHS and one in an alternative sector. This can provide a way of working that is flexible, allowing you to gain skills and knowledge in a range of roles and sectors, and provides a varied working week.
As nutrition experts, we can work in such a wide range of sectors, so much so that it can be hard to decide where we would be happiest and find the most purpose. Trying a range of roles can help, even if it just allows us to rule things out! Also, our training means we have a wide range of transferrable skills that support us in a range of roles, with experience in providing clinical care, delivering training, working with data, writing scientific reports, papers and patient information, engaging with individuals and groups, advising and influencing… the list goes on!
You might decide to create content and write for a publication for two days of your working week, whilst working for a company on the other three. You might want to lecture at a university whilst also working clinically. You might want to work part-time in a public health role, whilst working as a yoga teacher - whatever works for you!
Networking too is a useful way to find out what others are doing, how to get into an area you are interested in and how to make it work for you.
Things to be mindful of...
ORGANISE YOUR TIME
Combining a range of roles can feel a bit like juggling if not done right, so being organised and having clear hours of work for different positions is important. Be sure that you do the hours you are paid to do to avoid getting into any trouble with your employer and keep your roles separate, no private work during NHS work hours for example! Be sure to read your employing organisation's policies and procedures around alternative employment and seek advice if you are unsure.
REGISTERING AS A FREELANCER
Freelance work often makes up part of a portfolio career for many people. If you are newly qualified, it is really important to have the right support, supervision, structure and insurance in place to be sure you are practising safely and in a supported way. Getting the right experience is essential before going it alone, and the BDA can provide further support and guidance to help you here.
Portfolio careers offer an exciting opportunity to have a broad and varied career. Whatever you decide to do in your career journey, enjoy it and don’t be afraid to build a working week that works for you and your lifestyle.
Reference
Tupper, H. (2024) in Portfolio careers: the new normal? Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zktbn9q
Siân works with the BDA as Professional Practice Manager. She previously worked as an Assistant Professor at the University of Nottingham. She has worked in a range of clinical areas, specialising in learning disabilities, palliative care and nutritional support. Twitter@: siancunningham2
Siân Cunningham, MSc, RD, AFHEA
Professional Practice Manager, BDA