Technological advances are coming at us faster and transforming the workforce. By 2030, McKinsey researchers predict that 12 million of us will make a career pivot. This is not a bad thing, as long as you stay in control of the situation and take steps to protect yourself professionally. This predicted pivot is also ideal if you are early in your career or not in love with where you are now. Taking steps to propel yourself into the career you want will be even more effective if those efforts are focused on adapting to technological advances.

Preparing yourself for the future is essential because technology isn't going away, but some jobs will. To maintain your competitive edge as an entrepreneur and future-proof your business, it is essential to continually invest in the skills that are currently in demand and anticipate those that will be vital in the future. To do this, you must embrace reality and stop hiding from technology that can help you advance your talents.

For example, I'm shocked to hear that people aren't using Grammarly, an AI-based grammar and writing tool, to elevate their writing and give themselves a competitive edge. When how you present yourself through email and other written communication is a big part of modern jobs, using AI-based grammar tools can help you appear more polished and professional, helping your career without asking more of your time.

Quite simply, if you can use AI and other technologies as tools to improve your skills, you will create a safety shield at work. The best part? You don't have to be a data scientist to use most of the products available on the market. Most of them are user-friendly and can be implemented quickly. Case in point: Not too long ago, I was working with someone whose company was using it Generative AI to help organizations respond to requests for proposals within two hours. Traditionally, these responses took a full team and two weeks to complete and submit. That's a turnaround time of two hours versus two weeks – the game changer for customer satisfaction alone!

Not sure how or where to start in your mission to get ahead of the technology-driven “what customers want” curve? Put these strategies into motion to future-proof your career.

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1. Level up your soft skills game

For years, I have asked businesses what they want from our STEM university graduates. Their top answers always lean towards “soft” skills. Why? Employers assume that anyone leaving a STEM program can handle STEM subjects. However, they also want to be able to communicate effectively.

If you are looking to improve your communication skills, is worth the effort, especially in professional settings. Effective communication by leaders not only increases team and personal resources, but also significantly increases team effectiveness and individual engagement, according to recent study. Mastering good communication can improve your ability to work well in team environments, provide 360-degree feedback, and explain your thinking to others. These skills are invaluable assets that can set you apart at any stage of your career, demonstrating your potential and ability in collaborative environments.

To improve your communication, take an acting class, a public speaking course or a writing workshop. Force yourself out of your comfort zone so you can interact with others in a non-awkward way. Nothing says “confidence” more than being able to effectively lead a meeting, pitch your ideas, and explain concepts one-on-one, in small groups, or to large willing audiences.

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2. Become the Reese of industry experts

Decades ago, of Reese launched a clever campaign that highlighted the brand's unique chocolate-peanut butter combination. You can be like Reese and make a name for yourself in your industry by excelling in two areas that would not normally match.

For example, a common combination for many STEM workers is to have deep knowledge of both AI and robotics. An unusual – and definitely interesting – alternative would be to have expertise in game science and cyber security. Or understanding the data of the mobile programming world, as well as how to analyze large data sets.

We are living in a moment where technology offers many independent and embedded moving parts and tools. To be successful, you can't be good at just one thing. You need to have a range of skills to impress your current and future employers. By putting together different pieces of the puzzle in creative ways, you're setting yourself up to be the unicorn in the room. This is also a great tactic to follow if your competitors are outselling you in terms of experience for a job – you can shine with more skills to offer.

3. Get and stay tech-savvy

Have you watched and waited from the sidelines as new technology evolves? Stop observing and start engaging. You don't need to climb the math mountain or go to engineering school, but you should be open to attending a boot camp or taking advantage of another resource to get to know the technology better. Every time you gain some knowledge, you will think differently about what you do. Over time, you'll be more valuable and more agile because you'll be up to speed.

A great place to start is by investigating AI and edge programming. Just a little skill and depth in each topic will put you ahead of the overall learning curve. Not only will you understand more than others in your field, but you'll also be able to identify potential career openings, promotions, and sideline opportunities before everyone else.

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Here's an example of what I mean: Recently, Air Canada lost a lawsuit because their first-tier AI customer service tool was giving customers the wrong price. My guess is that programmers will use this precedent to improve AI responses. But people will still want human-to-human service options for their more complex problems. Therefore, world-class service agents with incredibly diverse and deep skills will be required to fill the gaps.

As we get more into technology, we will see some jobs disappear. But what won't go away is the desire for companies that possess all the attributes that AI and technology cannot. By being proactive, you can become indispensable and enjoy improved job security.