Staying Prepared: How Recent Layoffs Reminded Me to Keep My Portfolio Updated

The reality of layoffs has been hitting industries hard, and while it’s never easy to see people lose their jobs, it’s served as a stark reminder to me about the importance of keeping my portfolio current.

In the daily grind, especially when you're busy with ongoing projects and client needs, updating your portfolio can easily take a backseat. But watching recent events unfold made me realize that we can’t afford to be complacent. In an ever-changing market, staying prepared is essential.

I’ve always been passionate about my work, whether it’s creating engaging user experiences or finding new ways to optimize design processes. But it was only when I saw talented colleagues being affected by workforce reductions that I truly understood the need to showcase my skills and achievements on an ongoing basis.

Over the last few weeks, I’ve dedicated time to not only updating my portfolio but also reflecting on how I’ve grown as a professional. It’s been a great opportunity to rethink how I present my work and ensure my portfolio tells a clear, cohesive story of my journey as a designer.

One of the things that stood out to me during this process is how much I want to challenge myself further, especially when it comes to creative projects and research. Currently, a lot of the research at my company is handled by another department, which sometimes limits my hands-on involvement in that crucial part of the design process. Moving forward, I’m eager to take on projects where I can dive deeper into user research and apply those insights more directly to my designs.

I want to push the boundaries of my creativity by working on more complex projects—ones that require not just aesthetic design skills but also a deep understanding of user needs and behaviors. It’s through these challenges that I believe I’ll grow the most, both in terms of honing my craft and elevating the overall impact of my work.

My advice to anyone, whether you’re in a stable role or navigating a career shift, is to make portfolio updates a regular practice. Stay ready for any opportunity that comes your way—because you never know when the next chapter of your career will begin.