For those who are unfamiliar with the term, “portfolio career”, instead of having one job you go to every day, you have a “portfolio” of positions you work on a part time, contract, or as-needed basis.  The main disadvantage to this is there is not a full guaranteed income, and many times no full benefits package.  However, this can also be very advantageous.

There biggest advantage to having a portfolio career is great stability for the right person.  If you lose a job, you still have other income that you can focus on until you find a replacement income.  This job loss may also give you the opportunity to pursue another avenue of income, or the time to increase one you have been developing.

It may seem a disadvantage to not have a regular 40 hour work week, but you are not subjected to the same boring job every day.  This can also be an opportunity for people to be able to do what they love, even though it does not pay very well.  It can also be an opportunity to build a business.

In the times of employers not hiring, temporary positions are easier to come by in many fields as employers do not want to commit to hiring a full time employee.  The advantage is often you get paid more as a temporary or contract worker.  The disadvantage is that many times you must carry your own benefits.

Portfolio careers can be “designed” to fit your needs.  If you can only work around your significant other’s schedule due to young children at home, it is possible to work out of the house for a position, and another at home while your husband or wife is at work.  It can also be advantageous to single parents who are being torn apart by the cost of child care.

Portfolio careers do not need to be in related fields, and if you have training or education in multiple areas, this can be very helpful. 

Portfolio careers provide more excitement to your every day schedule.  They can be designed in many ways more stable than a full time job.  If you are unemployed, bored, or forced to take a low paying job due to the economy, the move to a portfolio career may be a great path for you.