5 Ways to Future Proof Your Career


April 2025


Lately, people have been sharing pangs of uncertainty with me about the future. You’ve probably heard the same from friends, family, or colleagues.


Some are worried about the impact of tariffs, funding cuts, or regulatory changes on their jobs. Others are having second thoughts about the career tracks they were once so committed to - tracks that now feel inflexible as the world rapidly changes, leaving them boxed in or short on options.


Perhaps you're sharing the same concerns.


While these feelings of uncertainty or regret are legitimate, they don’t have to drag you down. One thing we know for sure is that things always change - it’s the speed and direction of change that’s the most uncertain. And building an adaptive career that embraces this reality is one of the best ways to prepare for future disruptions.


You may be wondering what an adaptive and resilient career actually looks like. As with most things in life, it’s not ‘one-size-fits-all’. Our careers mean different things to each of us - for some it's a series of jobs that pay the bills, while for others it's the manifestation of deeply held values and a sense of purpose.


Wherever you land, I offer the following strategies for building a career that’s satisfying and purposeful, yet pragmatic and flexible:


1) Develop an Adaptive Mindset


In nature, that which cannot adapt tends not to survive. Harsh, but true.


If you take only one thing away from this note, let it be this: a mind that’s flexible — one that can adjust course with new information, just as a sailor adjusts the sails to meet shifting headwinds — is a mind that will keep pace with whatever turbulence life sends its way.


The Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu is famed for saying: “When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.”These are wise words to live by.


But being adaptive does not mean abandoning our sense of identity or giving up what matters most to us. Rather, it means remaining open to new ways of achieving what we want.


Being adaptive in our careers means being willing to learn new things, consider new perspectives, and staying non-attached to the status quo — perhaps even non-attached to certain outcomes.


By allowing our minds to stay flexible, we give ourselves the very best chance of discovering new opportunities. This adaptive mindset is responsive but not reactive, empathetic but not soft, flexible but not indecisive.


So, what are the characteristics of an adaptive mindset? Well, they include:


  • Curiosity
  • Willingness to experiment
  • Open-mindedness
  • Self-Awareness
  • Situational Awareness
  • Active Listening
  • Self-Trust
  • Emotional Intelligence
  • Flexibility


These types of soft skills, or power skills, allow us to cultivate a heightened awareness of shifting patterns and trends while empowering us to remain nimble and agile.  


Being adaptive means maintaining a hopeful and positive outlook when faced with adversity — rather than curling up on the couch after losing a job, we keep moving forward, even if every step feels unsteady. Every small action toward hopefulness and positivity builds momentum. To be adaptive is to leverage our strengths to propel ourselves forward, one step at a time.


When we embrace this mindset, we are better equipped to endure challenges and withstand disruption rather than being consumed by it.


Importantly, an adaptive mindset allows us to recognize what is no longer working for us — and to let go so that we can make way for new opportunity. That often feels easier said than done – after all, when we’ve worked hard for something, we often cling to it, even if it no longer serves us. However, in a volatile and rapidly changing world, it’s easy for old strategies or approaches to become outdated.


When that happens, we must adjust our behaviors and focus our attention on new possibilities.


 A question to consider:  What beliefs or habits might be keeping you anchored in ‘the way things have always been’?


2) Commit to  Continuous Learning & Upskilling


One of the clearest ways to stay adaptable is to commit to continuous learning. Trends, policies, practices, and technologies are constantly shifting in response to innovation, political pressures, and a changing social landscape. What once made us relevant and marketable can quickly give way to newer ideas or tools.


For this reason, investing in ongoing learning is critical. That might mean taking advanced classes in your field, joining professional organizations, or subscribing to journals to stay current with the latest developments and thought leadership.

But it might also mean retooling your professional work kit entirely.


Luckily, there are tons of ways to upskill. One of the most obvious is to explore what’s available through your employer — what learning paths are offered in-house? What tuition reimbursement programs are available? Are there groups or committees gathering to better understand emerging trends in your field? If so, join them and learn from each other’s ideas.


LinkedIn Learning is another great resource for accessing bite-sized courses that can quickly bring you up to speed on new skills, while also providing digital badges — a visible sign to employers that you’re committed to ongoing development and staying on top of your field.


If you prefer something more formal, there are accessible and affordable options beyond pursuing a full undergrad or graduate degree. Extension schools and online platforms like Udemy, Coursera, or Harvard Extension School offer certification programs that can strengthen your industry knowledge while enhancing your resume.


And if you're considering a full career change, keeping an eye on trends in fast-growing industries or emerging job categories can help you plan your next move. The Department of Labor provides up-to-date information on the fastest-growing fields, along with valuable resources for career planning.


No matter what field we work in, one thing is certain: the technologies we rely on are rapidly evolving. And yes, that applies to all types of work — from the fisherman out on the trawler to the CEO at their desk.


The tech revolution is firmly underway; technology is transforming the way work gets done. Adapting to it is no longer optional - it’s essential. Digital literacy will always be a necessary and critical competency for staying competitive in your career, even if you don’t consider yourself to be in a tech-related job. Most of our jobs are more tech-dependent than we think and will become more so over time (and faster than we think!).


A question to consider:  What skills or knowledge gaps do you currently have that could limit your ability to adapt to future roles or opportunities?


3) Consider a Portfolio Career


 A more strategic way to future-proof your career is by exploring the portfolio career path. Think of it as ‘not putting all your eggs in one basket’ or ‘hedging your bets.’


Portfolio careers consist of multiple roles rather than a single full-time job. They are built around your interests, skills, and talents—not tied to one specific career goal. This kind of career journey lets you pursue your passions across a variety of opportunities. These experiences also help you develop a broad range of marketable skills and expand your professional network.


For example, you might be an accountant who also enjoys teaching and giving back to the community. Your portfolio career could include part-time accounting work, teaching an accounting class at a local business school, and offering budget coaching to low-income families.


My own career is another example of a portfolio path. My experiences, interests, and education allow me to work as a full-time organization development consultant while also providing career coaching and teaching. This gives me access to a wider array of work I truly enjoy, instead of being limited to what fits within my full-time job description. It also gives me the flexibility to pivot in any of those directions if the full-time job market in my field shifts.


Traditionally, career paths were fairly fixed from a young age. Maybe we followed in our parents’ footsteps or pursued a dream role that became central to our identity—like becoming a builder, a doctor, or a teacher.


While those are perfectly valid paths, they can sometimes leave us feeling boxed into a predetermined future.


Today’s career landscape invites more creativity. You can now shape a career that reflects your unique interests and talents. The portfolio career is a perfect example—and provides the flexibility to create a custom-fit career that reflects who you are.


For some, that might look like a full-time job paired with a side hustle (or two). For others, it may mean full-time freelancing. Working freelance on projects we're passionate about can lead to more opportunity and satisfaction by building connections, diversifying skills, and creating an economic safety net.


Of course, portfolio careers can come with challenges. They require thoughtful planning around areas like healthcare, taxes, and retirement savings - and managing multiple roles demands good time management and boundaries. But even with those considerations, many find the trade-offs worthwhile for the flexibility and fulfillment they gain.


A question to consider:  What skills or passions might you want to build into your own portfolio?


4) Leverage Data


Another strategic step toward future-proofing your career is to dig into the data. I know—data shows up in nearly every planning or decision-making conversation these days, and raw numbers might not spark much excitement, especially when you’re focused on building a purposeful life.


But future-proofing your career isn’t just about purpose. It’s also about pragmatism. Gaining insight into job market trends, shifts, and forecasts for the future of work helps you understand where opportunities are likely to emerge—and which skills you’ll need to access them.

Luckily, there are accessible tools that you can use to gather these insights. They include:



Yes, the data might feel a bit dry—but it gives you a solid foundation for making informed decisions about where future opportunities lie and how to focus your time, energy, and resources. Staying current with these themes gives you an adaptive edge—and that edge can lead to a more durable and rewarding career path.


A question to consider:  Have you used data to challenge or expand your current view of what’s possible in your career?  If not, what might you be missing?

 

5) Make Authentic Connections


If you're anything like me, hearing the word networking doesn't exactly spark excitement about putting yourself out there with strangers. And that’s okay—you don’t need to be a social butterfly or an extrovert to build a genuine network of meaningful connections.


The key is authenticity. Put yourself in spaces where like-minded people tend to gather and let conversation unfold naturally. Some may argue that you need to be more strategic—targeting people who can open doors for you. And yes, there's room for those moves too.


But a lasting network is built by knowing who you are, understanding what genuinely interests you, and staying open to learning from others who bring different perspectives and experiences. When you approach networking with curiosity, open-mindedness, and active listening, you not only gain valuable insights, you also make others feel heard and appreciated. And people remember that.


Reach out to people you admire in the fields that interest you. Ask them about their journey or what advice they might offer. Or suggest collaborating on a project you know they're involved in.


Networking doesn’t have to happen on a grand scale or only through platforms like LinkedIn. It can begin with community groups, local chapters of professional associations, ERG’s within your current company, or informal circles that align with your interests.


When we approach networking with the goal of impressing others, especially those with status or influence, it can feel intimidating and performative. But when our goal is simply to learn, we give ourselves permission to show up as we are—and that’s where the most meaningful connections tend to form.


These authentic connections are especially valuable for building an adaptive career—when you're in transition or pursuing something new, it's often the people who already know and trust your character who will advocate for you, open doors, and expand your circle.


A question to consider:  When have I felt most energized or connected in a professional conversation—and what made it feel that way?


Summary


Future-proofing your career isn’t about predicting the future—it’s about preparing for change. By cultivating adaptability, committing to continuous learning, exploring flexible career models, and leveraging data to inform your choices, you can navigate uncertainty with more confidence and clarity. Your career path doesn't have to be linear or fixed—it can evolve just like you do. The key is to stay curious, stay responsive, and stay grounded in what matters most to you.


To explore your career options, consider reaching out for a coaching session! You can contact me directly at  [email protected]. And if you have any thoughts about this note, I’d love to hear those too!


And… ‘Notes on Life at Work’ are the thoughts of Abigail Eaves alone and do not reflect the position of any employers, past or present.