Industries evolve. Tools get replaced. Standards shift. In today’s workplace, what you know now might be outdated tomorrow. For Mariecielo Pamaylaon, Certified Management Accountant, the solution is clear: treat career growth as an ongoing commitment, not a one-time goal.
“Future-proofing your career means that you should always have an open mind to change and allow yourself to grow through various training and development courses that will help you prepare for any challenges,” Pamaylaon tells Financial Adviser PH.
Her approach blends adaptability, continuous learning, and a strong work ethic—qualities that have helped her navigate multiple career transitions and thrive in a rapidly changing environment.
Adaptability as a core skill
Pamaylaon believes that adaptability isn’t optional—it’s essential.
“To succeed in my industry, an individual should be adaptable to any situation and circumstances,” she says. “Change is inevitable, so we should always be prepared.”
That mindset has guided her through role changes, evolving workplace demands, and the constant introduction of new technologies in finance and project management.
Shifting from accounting to project management
Her career journey is proof that adaptability works. Pamaylaon moved from a full-time accountant role to managing finance-related projects and change initiatives that span multiple regions.
“Yes, I did make a career shift,” she recalls. “Some of the challenges I faced are (1) time zone differences and (2) communication, as I need to engage with different people across the globe.”
These challenges could have been overwhelming, but Pamaylaon embraced them as opportunities to sharpen her skills—improving her cross-cultural communication, building global collaboration experience, and learning to manage teams spread across different time zones.
Why continuous learning is non-negotiable
Pamaylaon makes it a point to keep her skills relevant by staying updated with the latest tools, technologies, and standards in her field.
“To stay competitive, continuous learning is important to equip myself with the latest tools, technologies, and standards,” she says.
Whether through formal training, online learning, or hands-on project experience, she invests time in building new capabilities so she’s ready for whatever the industry demands next.
The importance of well-being in career longevity
Future-proofing isn’t only about technical skills. Pamaylaon believes that maintaining personal well-being is just as critical for long-term success.
“Stay healthy and happy always! This is true; sometimes we almost forget ourselves when we are 100% laser-focused on work. There is always life after work,” she says.
For her, resilience—both physical and mental—ensures she can handle change without burning out.
Why attitude gives you an edge
While continuous learning and adaptability are important, Pamaylaon says the right attitude is what truly makes a professional stand out.
“A standout job candidate is one who shows a good working attitude,” she explains. “Any job can be learned through hard work, but an individual’s attitude is not something that you can learn overnight. It is based on one’s character and passion towards work.”
Employers notice when someone approaches change not as a threat, but as a chance to grow.
The bigger picture
Pamaylaon’s career proves that future-proofing isn’t about predicting the next big shift—it’s about being ready to meet it when it arrives.
By combining adaptability, continuous learning, and a positive attitude, she’s built a career that can withstand—and even benefit from—constant change.
“Change is inevitable,” she says again. “So we should always be prepared.”
In a world where the only constant is change, her strategy is simple but powerful: be adaptable, keep learning, and approach every challenge as an opportunity to grow.
