The new year is here, and if you're thinking about where to direct your energy professionally, you're not alone. Whether you’re staring at a blank vision board or stuck on what to write down on your goals list, we have some advice that might reshape how you think about career growth. Across Glassdoor Community, people are setting intentions that range from landing new roles to finally carving out time for skill development. We asked career experts what matters most for setting career intentions heading into a new year. Here’s what they shared.
2026 career intentions: At a glance
If you’re looking to direct your professional energy this year, here are the three core intentions recommended by experts and the professional community:
- Prioritize personal agency: In the "Age of AI," the most critical mindset is agency—the high motivation to take initiative rather than being passive.
- Commit to AI micro-learning: Instead of vague goals, block off one or two 30-minute "meetings with yourself" each week to research or use AI tools.
- Choose action over planning: Success in 2026 belongs to those who show up consistently and take small, concrete steps rather than waiting for a perfect plan.
1. Build "agency" to navigate the AI-driven workplace
When we asked Phyl Terry, author of "Never Search Alone,” about the biggest mindset shift for the year ahead, his answer was clear: agency.
"The single most important mindset for this age of AI is agency," Terry explains. "High motivation to learn, to grow, to take initiative, and to NOT be passive. Agency is the career word for the 21st century. People without agency are going to struggle (and are struggling). People with agency unlock a lot of opportunity."
So how do you develop agency if it doesn't come naturally? Terry recommends creating what he calls a "Career Council" made up of three to five peers, focused on cultivating and developing agency together. Having a support group of people working toward similar goals can help you move from passive to proactive in your career approach.
What the community says: Professionals are taking agency into their own hands in different ways. A Data Scientist shared: "I really want to find a new job. I've been at this place for 4 years and don't have much hope of getting a raise or promotion any time soon."
Another professional is building something new: "I'm starting a new business this year that I am excited about, but I will be keeping my current job before I quit."
How to build your "Career Council"
- Size: Aim for three to five members.
- Who: Select peers with similar professional goals.
- Focus: Work together to move from passive to proactive career management
2. Master AI upskilling through consistent micro-learning
Amy Lentz of Hack Your HR takes a practical approach to staying competitive. Rather than setting vague goals about "learning AI," she recommends blocking off specific, recurring time on your calendar.
"I like to make goals entirely within your control, so I'd recommend putting at least one, ideally two 30-minute calendar blocks each week, recurring, and actually 'attending' both of them — meetings with yourself where you invest those blocks to AI research/use," Lentz says. "Whether it's listening to a podcast intently, taking notes, or playing around with AI solutions, showing up for yourself like that is a practical way you can go from 'I don't know where to start' to 'I'm going to show up and just start.'"
The beauty of this approach is that you can use AI tools like ChatGPT to help you find relevant articles, podcasts, and resources to explore during those dedicated blocks.
What the community says: A Technical Solutions Architect echoed this commitment to consistent growth: "Get back in the habit of taking some time to upskill. Something I stopped doing and would love to get back to, even just 10-20 minutes a day."
3. Choose action over perfect planning
The common thread across expert advice and community conversations? Taking action matters more than waiting for the perfect moment or the perfect plan.
Whether you're focused on learning new skills, finding a better role, or simply being more intentional about your career development, the key is to start somewhere. Set up your own “Career Council.” Block off those 30 minutes. Send that application. The professionals who thrive in 2026 will be the ones who show up for themselves consistently, even in small ways. What will you focus on this year? Chime in with fellow workers to share your 2026 goals.