As we look ahead to 2025, you may be thinking of ways you can continue growing your career and nurturing your professional development in the new year.
Below are five potentially career-elevating steps to consider adding to your 2025 goals:
1. Pursue a new certification
Whether you are just starting out in your field or have several years of experience, it’s never too late to consider pursuing a new certification to continue developing your skillset. There are many beneficial credentialing opportunities available for digital trust professionals, and one for 2025 that might be of interest to cybersecurity professionals is the Certified Cybersecurity Operations Analyst (CCOA), a new certification available for early-career security professionals that focuses on the technical skills to evaluate threats, identify vulnerabilities and recommend countermeasures to prevent cyber incidents.
CCOA might be an especially good fit for those a few years into their careers that have their sights set on eventually pursuing the Certified Information Security Manager (CISM).
2. Gain more expertise on how AI will impact your field
It’s no secret that artificial intelligence (AI) has been steadily growing in influence throughout virtually all technology roles. Growing your expertise around AI will help you feel more confident and comfortable with how the technology is affecting your field and your career path.
Enrolling in AI training covering topics such as AI governance, ethics, machine learning and the threat landscape can be a valuable – and perhaps even necessary – career move for you in the new year.
3. Get involved with ISACA’s Mentorship Program
Looking to form new connections and learn from other professionals in your industry? It might be worthwhile to either become a mentor or consider receiving mentorship.
Career mentoring is beneficial for anyone at any stage of their career. ISACA’s member-exclusive mentorship program is a great place to start. The program facilitates one-to-one mentorship connections with members at all stages of their careers who want to give or receive professional development support.
4. Arrange enterprise training for your team
Another way to grow in the new year is setting up your organization with enterprise training.
Professional growth can be even more impactful when it involves your entire team. Team training programs can ensure your team is up to date with emerging trends and that key practitioners across your organizations are speaking a common business language, with a shared understanding of critical concepts.
5. Explore new volunteering opportunities
If you’re thinking of new ways you can become involved in the ISACA community, either globally or through your ISACA chapter, consider exploring a new volunteer opportunity. Whether it’s writing an ISACA Journal article, speaking at a conference, or joining an advisory group, there are a wide array of options for everyone. These roles can be a great way to grow your network while giving back to the professional community.
The start of a new year is always a good time to reflect on your professional and personal goals – and add new ones to avoid complacency and stagnation. All of the above possibilities can help you build your knowledge, leadership skills and professional satisfaction in the new year.