Whether you are currently a student eyeing a future in the technology workforce, are looking to transition into a tech career, or are trying to determine your next move within your current organization, figuring out where to begin and how to progress into a particular role can be difficult.
Careers in tech can be highly rewarding and are often in demand, but they are also competitive and require staying up to date on the latest threats, risks, regulations and more. Building a roadmap of the career you envision can be a great way to keep on track with your personal and professional goals.
Here are three steps to consider now as you plan your career.
1. Map out your future roles and the qualifications you will need
Having a general idea of your preferred career path can help you work toward your professional goals, but mapping out a more tangible progression will help you stay on course. If you are not sure where to start, check out ISACA’s career journey tool, which explores five domains—audit, governance, privacy, risk, and security—and the functional areas, job roles, knowledge and skills you need for each path.
For example, if you are looking for a role in IT auditing, you would select audit as your functional area and then explore the common feeder functional areas (IT compliance), common next functional areas (IT risk analysis, GRC, IT audit management, and more) and directly related roles (IT auditor, IT audit consultant). The tool also lays out the most prominent business skills required to excel in IT auditing roles, and certifications you may choose to help you expand your knowledge and develop relevant skills, such as the Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) or ISACA Advanced in AI Audit (AAIA) certifications.
Taking the time to put your plan down on paper will result in a clearer vision of which roles best fit into your ideal career progression.
2. Determine how emerging technology will impact your career path
It’s no secret that AI has made its way into almost every profession. In ISACA’s recent AI Pulse Poll, 89% of respondents said they will need AI training within the next two years to advance their careers or keep their current roles, and 45% say it is needed within the next six months. As you are planning your career path, consider how AI and other emerging technologies may affect the roles you are aspiring to, and what skills and training you may need in order to stay on your path.
“You have to anticipate how AI will reshape threats, tools and industry trends,” Aditya Patel wrote in a recent blog post. “By building a deep understanding of AI and integrating it into your chosen specialty, you’ll stay ahead.”
3. Enroll in a mentorship program
This is a step that may often be overlooked, but if you do not currently have a mentor, now is the time. In a recent report from ISACA, 63% of respondents say they would like to have a mentor, but only 22% currently have one. Additionally, 25% considered a lack of mentorship or guidance as a top challenge when pursuing an IT career.
Receiving advice from a more experienced professional will allow you to hear first-hand experiences in the industry you are aspiring to progress in, helping you further understand the possibilities in your career path, and how to get there.
Choose your own adventure
The tech industry has so many paths to offer, which can be exciting but also overwhelming. Think of it as a chance to choose your own adventure: be strategic about your goals and stay true to what you desire, but also try to remain flexible in how the constantly evolving tech landscape may impact your path.
Mapping your preferred future roles, understanding the impact of emerging tech on these roles, and working with a mentor are all proactive steps you can take as you build your career roadmap.