Read on Twitter
Did a portfolio review for a recent grad so I'll pass on advice-
-Look at portfolios of people who have a job you'd like
-Don't put anything in your portfolio you hated making
-Fanart is fine
-Take a theme (ie a book you like) and do 6-8 pieces as if it's your job (ie bg design)
-Look at portfolios of people who have a job you'd like
-Don't put anything in your portfolio you hated making
-Fanart is fine
-Take a theme (ie a book you like) and do 6-8 pieces as if it's your job (ie bg design)
-Consistent social media handle
-If you have a variety of interests (boards, illustrating, etc) focus on one. Trust me, you can change paths if it's not for you.
-Focus on something and hate it? good! Now you KNOW it's not for you.
-Make work you like. The audience will find you
-If you have a variety of interests (boards, illustrating, etc) focus on one. Trust me, you can change paths if it's not for you.
-Focus on something and hate it? good! Now you KNOW it's not for you.
-Make work you like. The audience will find you
and above all- keep at it! I won't lie, is very difficult to make a career doing art. It continues to be difficult after your first job, and your second, and your third. Your confidence and reputation and strengths will build as long as you keep at it. Go get 'em 
FINAL BIT: how do I know this advice works? In 2017 I made up a TV pitch and made a ton of bgs for it. I tried character design and realized that even though I like sketching characters I hated doing turns and expression sheets. This portfolio got me hired for Disenchantment.
