Making a portfolio career work: Examples, challenges and solutions

This session will explore what portfolio careers look like in real life, using case studies to show how vets have successfully combined clinical work with complementary roles inside and outside practice. The focus will be on how portfolio careers can be a fulfilling way for career professionals to balance varied interests, build new skills and create sustainable working patterns. We’ll be looking to showcase honest, grounded examples and discuss what makes these careers work well and the pitfalls to avoid.

• - Describe what a portfolio veterinary career can look like in practice, using real-life examples from vets combining clinical work with roles in areas such as government, public health, charity work, education, leadership, or industry.
• - Identify the benefits and challenges of portfolio careers, including how varied roles can support professional development, wellbeing, financial sustainability, and long-term career satisfaction.
• - Recognise the transferable skills that enable vets to move between clinical and non-clinical settings, including communication, adaptability, leadership, public health awareness, and stakeholder management.
• - Reflect on practical steps for building a sustainable portfolio career, including how to choose complementary roles, manage time and boundaries, avoid burnout, and maintain professional identity.