Why 'Polyworking' Is A Career Trend Black Women Could Benefit From

The Benefits Of Polyworking For Black Women

For research and scientific legitimacy sake, “polyworking” is the word that applies to this, and it’s something that, in this economy, might be super-essential for Black millennial women to actually live the soft lives they want (or simply to live comfortably, far away from the check-to-check, can’t-afford-a-new-pair-of-shoes nightmare.)

If you’ve been dealing with underemployment, are getting a bit bored with your 9-to-5, or want to be able to utilize the skills and talents you have that are outside of your main role at work, you might want to consider a shift in mindset and get on the polyworking train.

As ambitious, smart Black women, here’s why:

It’s empowering: With many of us feeling underappreciated and dealing with workplaces that are neither emotionally nor physically safe, polyworking is a good remedy. You can own your career story and try something totally different. When all your eggs aren’t in one basket, you too can say, "I don’t have time for this mess. I have another source of income (or lucrative skill) to sustain me."

It’s affirming: When you’re able to learn and monetize a new skill, it shows you how much more you’re capable of outside of one job. For example, while I love being a writer and editor, and I’m mostly known for that, I also love to teach and mentor.

After pursuing a master’s program with a concentration in coaching and completing my studies, I can build credibility and tap into my multiple passions without remaining in a box.

It’s financially savvy: It’s one thing to have one job earning $40,000 after taxes. It’s another to have a side hustle or second part-time job, in addition, bringing your income to $60,000. And if you’re consulting or able to charge by the hour, that number goes up tremendously.

Oftentimes, when we really look at the value of our time and use it wisely, we can literally enjoy financial freedom, and it doesn’t have to look like the stereotypical work-my-fingers-to-the-bone scenario.

Many women work two jobs and still have time to enjoy life simply by maximizing their time, negotiating what they’re worth, and tapping into their true skill sets to do things they love.

And if you think about it, sometimes having two part-time jobs is better than having one stressful full-time job simply because, again, once you clock out of the first one, you can pivot to challenge yourself in new ways for another role. It can ensure you don’t hit that burnout rut and can be that boost of confidence you’ve been looking for since the sour, isolating days of COVID.

It’s smart to prepare for a future career change. When you try out another role or industry as a second option (or the side career boo to your main career bae), you can easily figure out what you definitely don’t want to pursue while still having a main paycheck to sustain you. If you’re looking to totally change careers, this is a great way to do so, so that you can build up your resume and you’ll actually be competitive in the new market.

How To Embrace Polyworking

In order to find success with polyworking, experts recommend the following:

1. Take time to evaluate your skills, interests, and passions and “identify areas where you can offer value across multiple roles or projects.” You want to think about gaps and what might add value to your life.

2. Get real about your actual options. Start slow and with one project or a new job to add to your job portfolio.

3. Expand your current network. Oftentimes, finding and landing quality jobs (or side projects) is done via word-of-mouth or through certain networks, and if you’re going in a totally new direction with your second job or project, you’ll need to network across and above in that new industry.

The people who are currently part of your network are great, but they may only see you in the box (or context) of what you currently do, and they might not be well-versed in the new you or the new industry you’re pursuing. Get out there, go to conferences, happy hours, or meet-ups, and really find out what it takes to be a success in that particular field.

4. Update your online presence. Since you’re interested in new opportunities, incorporate language and messaging that reflect soft or transferable skills you already have that might be ideal for a new industry or project. Start updating your LinkedIn with blog posts or share relevant information or experience you have in the new lane. Let people know that, while you enjoy your day job, you want to tap further into your full potential in other areas where you are gifted or skilled.

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