A few weeks back, I asked my LinkedIn network whether they were building something on the side to future-proof their career.

The result was revealing.

A significant majority said yes.

More recently, I asked a follow-up question – Which skillset are you working on to future-proof your career?

The responses reinforced something I have been observing for some time. Future-proofing is no longer something many professionals think about only when their job is under threat. Increasingly, professionals are investing in new skills long before they need them.

And I believe that is a good thing.

The world of work is changing rapidly. Artificial intelligence is reshaping industries. New job roles are emerging. Traditional career pathways are becoming less predictable. Skills that were highly valuable five years ago may need refreshing today.

Career security no longer comes from a job title alone.

It comes from your ability to learn, adapt and create value in different environments.

As someone who has worked in both industry and education, I have experienced this first-hand. My career has taken me from IT consultancy into teaching, leadership, education consultancy, speaking, writing, podcasting and AI training. None of those opportunities appeared overnight. They were built through continuous learning, experimentation and a willingness to develop new skills before they became essential.

That is why I believe future-proofing starts much earlier than many people realise.

One of the biggest misconceptions about future-proofing is that it begins when circumstances change. Many professionals wait until they are facing redundancy, seeking promotion or considering a career change before investing in themselves. By then, they are often competing against others who have already been building their skills and networks for years.

The professionals who often appear most resilient are usually those who have been quietly preparing all along.

So what skills am I focusing  on over the next 12 months to accelerate my own career?

1. The first is AI literacy and exploring applied AI.

As someone who delivers AI training, keynote presentations and supports organisations on their AI journey, this remains a major area of focus. Not because AI will replace jobs overnight, but because professionals who understand AI may have access to opportunities that are less visible to those who choose to ignore it. I continue to explore practical applications of AI, particularly through my work on AI Across the Curriculum and helping organisations build confidence in using emerging technologies responsibly.

2. The second is communication and storytelling.

In a world where information is increasingly generated by technology, the ability to communicate clearly becomes even more valuable. Whether speaking on stage, cohosting my podcast Tech Journey Insights, appearing on podcasts, facilitating workshops or writing articles such as this one, I see communication as a skill that amplifies every other skill.

3. The third is relationship building.

Many of the opportunities I have been fortunate enough to receive have come through conversations, partnerships and professional networks. Building meaningful connections remains one of the most powerful ways to learn, collaborate and discover new possibilities.

4. Finally, I am continuing to invest in adaptability.

The ability to adapt is needed more and more, as we live in a world of constant change. Technology will continue to evolve. Industries will continue to change. New opportunities will emerge while others disappear. In order to thrive, I believe we need to remain curious, flexible and open to learning.

There is also an important lesson here for education.

If we want young people to succeed in the future workforce, we need to equip them with more than technical knowledge. We need to nurture adaptability, communication, creativity, digital literacy and confidence. Future-proofing should not begin when someone enters the workplace. It should begin much earlier.

Ultimately, the most encouraging insight from both of my LinkedIn polls is that many professionals are taking ownership of their development.

They are

• Learning
• Building
• Adapting
• Investing in themselves before they have to.

Perhaps that is the real definition of future-proofing.

Not predicting the future.

But preparing yourself to thrive in it.