Navigating Gendered Ageism and the Rise of Portfolio Careers: A Conversation with Sarah Wilder

In our recent interview with Sarah Wilder —an Employment Law Expert, Inclusion Entrepreneur, and Non-Executive Director—we delved into critical issues facing women in the workforce today. Our discussion revolved around three central themes: the persistence of gendered ageism, the rise of portfolio careers as a means to achieve flexibility and impact, and the quest for a fulfilling and balanced work life. Sarah’s reflections on her personal experiences, coupled with her professional insights, offer a blueprint for navigating these challenges while building a meaningful career.

Confronting Gendered Ageism: A Persistent Barrier

At 44, Sarah is thriving in her powerful career but remains aware of the persistent gendered ageism that has shaped her professional journey. Reflecting on her early years, she recounted how, at 22, she started her formal legal career with enthusiasm and a strong feminist perspective. As a young solicitor in the City of London she was surprised to be quickly met with ageism and sexism. Some senior colleagues focused on her youth and gender, less concerned with her capabilities and talent than with her age and appearance. This early experience forced her to confront the harsh realities of gender bias in the workplace and strengthened her ambition to make an impact for equality.

As Sarah's career progressed, so did the challenges. When she started a family, she noticed assumptions being made about her professional priorities—specifically, that motherhood would become her only focus, leaving no room for focus on her career. This type of bias further perpetuates gendered ageism, limiting women’s career prospects based on societal expectations. Now, in her forties, Sarah has recently encountered a new form of this ageism — assumptions being made in some quarters about her career ambitions as she approaches what some perceive to be the “end” of her professional peak. Yet, after a decade of juggling small children and a career, with older, more independent children and therefore more headspace for work matters she feels more energetic and passionate than ever before and is welcoming awareness and discussion on gendered ageism as an obstacle to capitalising on the full strength of a diverse workforce.

The Changing Labour Market: The Rise of Portfolio Careers

As the labour market evolves, there is a notable shift away from the traditional 9-to-5, singular career path towards more flexible, dynamic working models. This shift is especially prevalent in the rise of portfolio careers—careers in which professionals build diverse work streams across multiple projects, roles, or sectors. Sarah’s own career trajectory exemplifies this shift, as she has embraced portfolio work to gain both flexibility and fulfilment.

Sarah’s transition into a portfolio career began in 2011, when she started to take on different roles that allowed her to balance personal commitments with professional growth. Initially, she worked flexibly through part time work, compressed hours, and various consulting projects. But it was during the COVID-19 pandemic that her portfolio career truly flourished. With the legal sector facing unprecedented challenges, especially in employment law, Sarah found herself busier than ever. At the same time, the pandemic also exposed deep-seated inequalities in the workforce, as women in large numbers left their jobs to care for families, underscoring the societal expectation that women prioritise home over work.

For Sarah, this was a moment of reinforcement of her core values. She became a lawyer to make the world a fairer place, and the portfolio career model offered her a way to continue pursuing that mission. The flexibility allowed her to navigate the peaks and valleys of both personal life and work, providing space for a more balanced and impactful career. Through her own experience, Sarah has come to see portfolio careers not only as a means to personal fulfilment but also as a tool for challenging the structural inequalities embedded in traditional career paths.

Portfolio Careers: A Path to Flexibility and Impact

Portfolio careers are no longer a niche or unconventional path; they are increasingly becoming a viable and even preferred option for many professionals. This model allows individuals to take control of their careers by diversifying income streams, engaging in multiple projects, and aligning work with personal values. For many, including Sarah, portfolio careers offer a way to mitigate the effects of gendered ageism and other structural biases, while also creating a space for work that is more aligned with personal passions and priorities.

Sarah’s shift to a portfolio career has given her the ability to work across different sectors, including law, diversity and inclusion consulting, and entrepreneurship. This approach has allowed her to continue to grow professionally while maintaining the flexibility needed to manage family commitments and personal interests. But it is not just about flexibility—it’s about the ability to create real impact. By working on a range of projects, Sarah has been able to contribute to meaningful change in the workplace, from advising companies on employment law to influencing diversity and inclusion initiatives.

Advice for Entering the Portfolio Career Path

Sarah’s advice for those considering a portfolio career is both practical and inspiring. For professionals seeking to embark on this journey, she offers six key pieces of guidance:

1. Define Your Goals: Start by defining what you really want out of your career and life. Portfolio careers are not a one-size-fits-all solution, so it’s important to have a clear vision of what success looks like for you. Ask yourself: What are your passions? What do you want to achieve? What work gives you the most fulfilment?
2. Embrace Risk with Courage: Transitioning to a portfolio career requires courage. There is risk involved, as there is with any career move, but the rewards are often worth it. Be prepared for uncertainty, but also be confident in your ability to adapt and thrive in a more flexible, dynamic work environment.
3. Build a Financial Buffer: Sarah strongly advises having a financial buffer—or as she calls it, a "fk-it fund." This fund gives you the freedom to make bold career moves without the pressure of immediate financial constraints. Having a safety net is crucial for weathering the inevitable ups and downs of a portfolio career.
4. Research New Forms of Work: The labour market is changing rapidly, and new forms of work are emerging all the time. Stay informed about these changes and be open to exploring different opportunities. Whether it’s freelancing, consulting, or starting your own business, understanding the landscape is key to making informed decisions. Sarah’s current growth area is AI and specifically, the ways it can help humans to work more efficiently, creating more time and space for multiple professional and personal interests.
5. Learn from Failure: Failure is an inevitable part of the process, but it is also an important teacher. Sarah encourages professionals to embrace failure as part of their journey and to see it as a source of growth rather than something to fear or be ashamed of. Learn from your mistakes, adapt, and keep moving forward. The more diverse your portfolio, the more opportunities you have to learn and grow.
6. Leverage Female Networks: Sarah emphasises the power of female networks in supporting career development. These networks provide not only mentorship and advice but also camaraderie and solidarity. Share your experiences, seek guidance and make an impact by collaboration.

The Future of Work

As the workforce continues to evolve, Sarah believes the rise of portfolio careers and flexible working models will only accelerate, especially as younger generations take on leadership roles. She envisions a labour market that places a stronger emphasis on trust, results, and values-driven work, allowing for greater inclusivity and personal fulfilment. Sarah offers a blueprint for overcoming gendered ageism and finding success on their own terms. By taking control of your career narrative, and staying true to passions, you can create a work life that is fulfilling, impactful, and reflective of your personal values.?