It takes time for your creations to be seen and for opportunities to come to you.
You never know when your next great opportunity will come, which is why giving, teaching, and sharing along the way means you're already crafting your future, aka, future proof.
After more than a year of consistently writing and sharing knowledge in AI, an exciting opportunity recently came my way.
It’s a reminder that showing up, creating value, and staying authentic in your work can truly open unexpected doors.
How to craft your portfolio
Identify Your Style: Start by identifying your unique style. This could be your particular type of work, or projects, with your stories, work results, and insights. Your style should be something that sets you apart from others.
Create a Variety of Work: To showcase your versatility, create a variety of work. The goal is to show potential clients or employers what you're capable of.
Work on Personal Projects: Personal projects are a great way to showcase your passion and creativity. They can also be a great way to experiment with new styles or techniques.
Collaborate with Others: Collaboration can help you grow. Working with others can expose you to new ideas and techniques, and it can also result in some great pieces for your portfolio.
Seek Feedback: Don't be afraid to seek feedback on your work. This can help you identify areas for improvement, and it can also give you a fresh perspective on your work.
Keep Your Portfolio Updated: As you create new work, make sure to update your portfolio. This will show potential clients or employers that you're actively working and improving.
Promote Your Work: Use social media, your personal website, and other platforms to promote your work. This can help you reach a wider audience and attract potential clients or employers.
Reflect on skills, experiences, and learnings you have on a regular basis.
for example, this is the visual draft of my portfolio:
The opportunity
You never know when your next great opportunity will come, which is why giving, teaching, and sharing along the way means you’re already crafting your future, aka, future proof.
It’s the opportunity that I was invited to teach on AI.
Over the past year, I’ve been on a personal journey of recovering from burnout, reconnecting with my authentic self, and gradually rebuilding a career aligned with both meaning and creativity.
During this period of recovery, I began creating content, speaking publicly about AI, and coaching professionals on advancing their careers, navigating pivots, and upskilling in AI.
Let go of perfectionism. You don’t need to be an expert to teach, lead, or share.
What you are is someone with lived experience, a unique lens, and a voice someone out there is waiting to hear.
Imperfect action creates momentum. And momentum builds mastery.
Exploring something new in life can be a massive driver of growth.
Teaching or sharing, for me, is both fun and meaningful. It brings together my expertise and the essence of what I love: sharing knowledge, empowering others, and building with purpose.
Grace
Founder, AI Strategy League | ex-Microsoft
