Future Skills & Stories: Careers Special
Published on 15 May 2025
Welcome to Innovate Elevate, your monthly dose of innovation, tech and career growth!
Did you know that it is National Careers Week? This is a week-long celebration of career development, upskilling and continuous learning, and the evolving nature of work and its impact, preparing us for the future.
In this special Careers edition, I’m excited to share my personal journey through non-linear careers, highlight inspiring stories from our community, and explore the future of work and the skills we all need to thrive.
Here are my highlights for the month:
Top 3 Skills on the Rise
Non-Linear Careers: My Journey and Lessons Learned
Podcast Highlight: Human Centric Cybersecurity
Alumni Spotlight: University of Technology, Sydney (UTS)
Poll: How Do You Like To Learn?
Future of Jobs: What’s Next?
Let's read on!
Top 3 Skills on the Rise
In a recent LinkedIn report, it states that by 2030, 70% of job skills will change. Here’s what I see as my top 3 most important skills:
AI Literacy: Understanding and using AI is now essential.
Communication: Vital for remote, hybrid, and global teams.
Adaptability: The key to staying resilient and ready for change.
I’m developing a digital program on career change and essential skills, please let me know if you’re interested to hearing more about it and early access!
--> Learn more Skills On the Rise
Non-Linear Careers: My Journey and Lessons Learned
I’ve always been a curious person, and that curiosity has led me down a non-linear career path. From teaching in Japan, to working as a Project Officer in the UK, nearly two decades in marketing with global teams, and now thriving as a STEM communicator and podcast host of Emerging Tech Unpacked, every step has brought its own challenges and growth.
Here are my top 3 learnings for adapting to career changes:
Embrace lifelong learning: Every career pivot required new skills and I’m always staying curious and open to learning at every stage and career change.
Leverage transferable skills: Skills like communication, adaptability, and problem-solving transcend industries. Teaching honed my ability to connect with diverse audiences, which I now use in STEM communication as I am an educator again, but on digital channels in audio and video podcasting formats.
Stay resilient and open to opportunity: Change can be daunting, but it often leads to unexpected growth. Saying “yes” to new roles and challenges has opened doors I never imagined, from moving overseas at 21 to building strong relationships across cultures which has been my strength ever since.
Non-linear careers are becoming the norm and offer endless possibilities for reinvention. What’s your biggest lesson from navigating career transitions? I’d love to hear your story as well!
--> Watch my most engaged video ever with over 16 MILLION impressions!
Podcast Highlight: Human Centric Cybersecurity
I interviewed Daisy Wong, disability advocate and Head of Security Awareness at Medibank, for the latest episode of Emerging Tech Unpacked. Here’s what I learned:
Cybersecurity is about empowering people, not just technology.
Protect yourself with a safe word for money transfers and always use multi-factor authentication.
Daisy and I have been through job redundancies, and if your role is made redundant, remember it’s the role, not you, and your skills and mindset are your greatest assets.
Check out the full interview on Emerging Tech Unpacked and let me know your top tips for cybersecurity and career resiliency!
--> Visit the website to learn more
--> You can also listen on YouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify
Alumni Spotlight: University of Technology, Sydney (UTS)
I’m honoured to be recognised as a UTS Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences graduate. My journey has included launching Emerging Tech Unpacked to spotlight women in STEM and being featured in the Australian Government’s Future Female Entrepreneurship and Business Leadership Decadal Plan. My undergraduate days were the formulative years of my life and career, which has shaped me to be the person that I am today. Thank you for the recognition! 🙏
Poll: How Do You Like To Learn?
I conducted a poll recently about your favourite learning styles, and here are the answers. It seems that most people preferred live cohorts with other learners, followed by self paced courses, and then coaching and mentoring. Better luck next time, search & free videos!
Future of Jobs: What’s Next?
The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 predicts 78 million new jobs by 2030, especially in the care, education, tech, and renewables industries.
Key takeaways from the Report:
Skills evolution: 40% of job skills will be new or different by 2030.
Upskilling imperative: 59% of the global workforce will need training.
AI impact: 50% of employers plan to leverage AI, while 41% anticipate workforce reductions.
As you look to the future of what is next, two things are clear, adaptability and upskilling are now must-haves traits.
--> Learn more about the Future of Jobs Report
Join the Conversation
What inspired you this month? Did you enjoy a special careers themed newsletter? What other themes would you like to see? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Thank you for reading Innovate Elevate! Please subscribe to stay updated on the latest in tech, innovation, and career growth. See you next month!
Lucy Lin 👩🏻💻
👉 If this newsletter was helpful, please share it and follow Lucy Lin and Emerging Tech Unpacked for more.
🚀 I'm a STEM marketer, speaker, MC, brand partner, and podcaster. Get in touch with me if you would like to collaborate.
