5 high-demand skills to develop in 2025
As the new year approaches, now is the perfect time to set professional development goals and invest in your growth
The start of a new year is an ideal time to commit to learning something new.
Whether you want to keep your skills up to date to boost your earning potential, feel more confident about tackling new challenges in your current job, or make a career change that better aligns with your values and goals, professional development ensures your skills remain relevant.
“January is the perfect time to invest in professional development because it sets the tone for your year,” said Ian Stephenson, manager of client success and product insight with PowerED™ by Athabasca University.
“With a fresh mindset and new goals, this is your chance to build momentum, expand your skills, and position yourself for success in an ever-evolving workplace.”
AU’s professional development courses through PowerED™ offer opportunities to enhance your abilities, open new career possibilities, and take a step toward feeling more satisfied and accomplished in your professional life.
Looking for inspiration on where to start? Check out the following five skill areas that could help make 2025 a successful year for learning and growth.
1. Understand the ethics of using AI
As AI continues to disrupt industries and change how organizations operate, understanding how to work with tools like generative AI, data visualization platforms, and predictive analytics can help you adapt to an increasingly tech-driven world.
Why it matters: Decision-making and technological advancements across industries will increasingly rely on interpreting data and leveraging AI-driven insights.
“Organizations that want to use AI must prove they’ve done so responsibly and have taken concrete steps to mitigate ethical risks,” said Katrina Ingram, CEO of Ethically Aligned AI and a subject matter expert for PowerED’s AI Ethics micro-credential.
What to learn: Gain an understanding of how to use and leverage AI and data in your work ethically and effectively.
PowerED™ Courses:
2. Improve your emotional intelligence for better working relationships
Developing self-awareness, empathy, and interpersonal skills is vital to building stronger and more inclusive workplaces and communities.
Why it matters: Our lives revolve around interactions with others, including at work where strong relationships are key to personal and professional success. A great way to do that is by strengthening your emotional intelligence and communication skills and learning about different perspectives.
“We used to expect that people would fit into our workplaces and, instead, our workplaces now need to fit for our people,” said Tara Langan, founder of Career TLC and a featured expert in PowerED’s Neurodiversity in the Workplace micro-course.
What to learn: Gain insights and skills needed to navigate interpersonal dynamics, support diversity, and cultivate more meaningful connections.
PowerED™ Courses:
3. Find a new focus through product management
The demand for skilled product managers is growing and expected to continue to rise as technology and industries evolve. Product managers play a crucial role in driving innovation as businesses strive to develop products and services that meet consumer demands.
Why it matters: As more industries embrace digital transformation, having skilled professionals to steer the development of new products and manage product lifecycles in competitive markets is crucial. A common skill of good project managers? A foundation in communication.
“I have seen all personalities be project managers, but I will tell you, you won’t be a good project manager if you’re not a good communicator,” said Christopher Sanders, a project management professional in the aerospace industry and a subject matter expert for PowerED™.
What to learn: Learn the full scope of product management practices from product and user discovery to product visioning, strategy, prototyping, and measuring value and success.
PowerED™ Courses:
4. Get noticed through impactful digital communications
Why do some social media posts rack up likes and shares while others hardly get noticed? According to Ameet Khabra and Liz Pittman, two leading industry experts and facilitators of the digital marketing courses listed below, the answer is always changing!
For Khabra and Pittman, the key to effective digital communication is to closely follow new trends and adapt strategies in ways that work with people’s constantly evolving online behaviours and preferences.
Why it matters: Mastering digital marketing can help you and your business engage with audiences, helping you stay competitive.
What to learn: Build the skills needed to create compelling online campaigns and engaging content, master search engine optimization techniques, and elevate your social media presence.
PowerED™ Courses:
5. Unlock your leadership potential
With the rise of cross-functional teams and remote work, the ability to inspire and guide others is what sets apart a good leader—regardless of title.
Why it matters: Success often comes from collaboration. Developing leadership skills helps set a standard and drive positive change within your organization.
“We’re focused on taking what we’ve learned and applying it internally in order to foster more allies within our organization,” said Mike Flewwelling, former vice-president of customer success at D2L, after his team completed PowerED’s Embracing Allyship & Inclusion micro-course.
What to learn: Learn practical strategies and develop key skills in communication, collaboration, and strategic thinking to help you lead through influence and inspire those around you.
PowerED™ Courses:
- Coach Approach for Leadership Development
- Leading Processes
- Leading with Authenticity
- Communication & Conflict Resolution
- Neurodiversity in the Workplace
- Embracing Allyship & Inclusion
Learn more about PowerED™ by AU and professional development programming.
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