Start your year strong: A simple three-step career plan for 2026
January is a natural moment to reset. Work rhythms are calmer, inboxes are lighter, and many of us feel that quiet sense of possibility that comes with a new year. It’s a chance to pause, look up from the day-to-day, and ask: “What do I want this year to look like?”
For ACS members, this can be a particularly valuable moment. With so much change happening across the tech sector from the deployment of AI to the need for more and better cybersecurity, having a plan helps you stay confident and in control. To support that, we’ve created a simple three-step structure: Refresh, Refine and Reward.
It’s not about adding more to your to-do list. It’s about giving yourself clarity and momentum for the year ahead.
Step 1 Refresh: Start 2026 with a clean, accurate foundation
You know the value of clean data. But many members tell us that a new year is the ideal time to update details they haven’t touched in a while. It’s a small step, but it sets the tone for everything that follows.
Check that your ACS membership profile is current
Have you changed roles recently? Taken on new responsibilities? Updated your mobile number? Even small changes matter. When your profile is up-to-date, we can tailor information, opportunities and support to your actual situation.
The first step in getting ready for 2026 is to update your ACS member profile. Login now and consider updating:
- Current job title
- Mobile number
- Employment details
- Preferred email
- Areas of professional interest
A quick review can ensure you’re getting content, updates and opportunities that match your goals and your stage of career.
Visit the My Profile section of your ACS member login and update your data.
Set your goals for 2026
Writing down one or two career goals will help bring direction to your development for the rest of the year. These goals don’t need to be big or complicated. They just need to be yours.
A few prompts to get you started:
- What capability do you want to strengthen this year?
- What would you like to be known for professionally?
- Are there projects or roles you’re aiming for in the next 12–18 months?
- Once you have clarity, the rest becomes much easier.
Step 2 Refine: Assess your skills and plan your development
Having a picture of your current capabilities is invaluable, which is the true value of SFIA, the Skills Framework for the Information Age.
Strategists often talk about the importance of reflection and ambition, of knowing where you are today and where you want to be tomorrow. Our skills assessment and development platform, mySFIA, is built on the world-leading tech skills framework, and even if you have completed a self-assessment before, it’s worth revisiting, especially if your responsibilities or ambitions have changed.
Turn your insights into a learning and development plan
Once you understand your current capability, you can take proactive steps towards achieving your goals for 2026.
ACS mySFIA will provide you with personalised learning recommendations through integration with the ACS Learning Accelerator, which is powered by Skillsoft, one of the world’s leading digital learning providers.
In addition to your mySFIA learning recommendations, you might want to consider adding to your plan the following:
- ACS webinars or masterclasses
- Industry Insights, our premier events series featuring leaders
- ACS Learning and Development courses and training
- Mentoring or peer networks
- ACS Technical Advisory Boards
Many members find it useful to set quarterly checkpoints. It keeps your goals visible and helps you track progress, even when work gets busy. Why not reach out to your local ACS Branch Manager?
Step 3 Recognise: Recognise your growth with a symbol of trust
Today, the need to demonstrate your skills and expertise is greater than ever. With the deployment of AI and the urgent need for cyber resilience, the demand for new capabilities and greater trust is acute.
Think about it, your accountant or lawyer possesses trusted credentials. You wouldn’t work with them if they didn’t. And the tech profession is no different. Certification provides that same assurance of competence, professionalism and ethical practice.
Many ACS members tell us they value this because employers increasingly expect the same level of trust and accountability from technology practitioners as they do from any other regulated profession.
When you become a Certified Professional or Certified Technologist, you signal that you meet recognised standards and can be trusted to deliver quality work, lead projects and make sound decisions.
Many ACS Certified Professionals and Technologists tell us that certification has helped them:
- Earn greater trust from leaders and clients
- Take on more responsibility or lead projects
- Strengthen their career positioning
- Demonstrate value in performance reviews
- Negotiate better remuneration
The process is designed to validate your skills, experience and ethical standards. If you’ve been building your capability throughout the year, certification is a natural next step.
Learn more about ACS Certification and whether you're ready
ACS SFIA Digital Badges
Throughout the year, and as you complete learning recommendations, you’ll have the opportunity to apply for ACS SFIA Digital Badges, micro-credentials that showcase your skills and expertise.
As demand for specific skills continues to change rapidly, the ability to demonstrate capabilities quickly and reliably is vital to converting new opportunities, whether you’re seeking a new role or tendering for contracts.
Covering a broad spectrum of skills and seven levels of attainment, ACS SFIA Digital Badges are independently verified and aligned to SFIA (Skills Framework for the Information Age), the international benchmark for digital skills.
A year built on clarity, capability and recognition
Refresh, Refine, and Reward isn’t a checklist. It’s a way to frame your year so you get the most value from your ACS membership and the most confidence in your career direction.
Refresh your details and goals
Refine your capability and development
Reward your growth through recognition
These steps work best when you take them at your own pace. What matters is allowing yourself to build a year that feels intentional, supported and aligned with where you want to go.
If you’d like help getting started with your ACS Member Dashboard, mySFIA or certification pathway, your local ACS Branch Manager is on hand and available to help.
Here’s to a brilliant year ahead.