Skills on the rise in 2025 (and how Nexford helps professionals stay ahead)

At Nexford University, staying ahead of these trends isn’t just a priority; it’s the commitment at the heart of our mission. Everything we teach is carefully designed to meet the demands of today’s workforce and future-proof your career. Through programs infused with workplace-relevant skills, Nexford learners graduate ready to face the challenges of 2025 head-on.

Whether you’re a student, professional, or employer, this blog will guide you through LinkedIn’s top skills for 2025 and show you how Nexford’s specialized programs are designed to teach them.

What are the top career skills in 2025?

According to LinkedIn, these skills are setting the pace for the workforce and shaping professional growth across diverse industries:

1. AI Literacy

2. Conflict Mitigation

3. Adaptability

4. Process Optimization

5. Innovative Thinking

6. Public Speaking

7. Solution-Based Selling

8. Growth Strategy

9. Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy

10. Large Language Model (LLM) Development & Application

Why are these skills so relevant? With industries investing heavily in technology and innovation while managing economic uncertainty, the ability to bridge technical mastery with soft skills like adaptability and collaboration has proven critical. And, as we recently explored in our webinar on The Future of College, being well-rounded with technical and soft-skills is increasing in importance for today’s worker.

LinkedIn’s Insight:

By 2030, 70% of the skills used in the workplace are expected to change. For professionals and employers alike, this means continuously growing and adapting is essential to staying ahead.

How Nexford aligns with the fastest-growing skills

At Nexford University, we don’t just monitor workplace trends – we build our curriculum around them. When designing programs, Nexford asks two key questions:

• What skills are employers asking for today?

• What skills will workers need five years from now?

The answers to those questions guide the structure of Nexford’s Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Master of Business Administration (MBA), and other degree programs, helping learners bridge the gap between opportunity and employability. Below are examples of how Nexford directly addresses the skills highlighted in LinkedIn’s report.

1. AI Literacy and Large Language Model (LLM) Understanding

LinkedIn Ranking: #1 and #10

Artificial intelligence is transforming industries globally. From product development to marketing campaigns, professionals who grasp the basics of AI systems have a distinct edge.

At Nexford, our BBA and MBA specializations in Artificial Intelligence offer courses like:

• AI Literacy to teach foundational knowledge of AI tools.

• LLM Applications to build familiarity with tools like ChatGPT and GitHub Copilot.

These AI-focused courses help learners like you build confidence in leveraging machine learning for decision-making and problem-solving.

2. Conflict Mitigation & Adaptability

LinkedIn Ranking: #2 and #3

Soft skills are as essential as technical knowledge in today’s workplace. Whether mitigating disputes in hybrid workplaces or pivoting in response to rapid changes, employees need resilience and adaptability in equal measure.

Nexford’s business foundational programs, such as the MS in Digital Transformation, teach:

• Conflict Resolution Techniques (via electives in both the MBA and BBA).

• Strategies to develop personal adaptability, helping professionals thrive amidst uncertainty.

3. Process Optimization & Public Speaking

LinkedIn Ranking: #4 and #6

Optimizing workflows while effectively communicating strategies is at the heart of business growth, and these skills can make learners like you indispensable in organizational settings. Within our BBA and MBA programs, Nexford trains learners to:

• Streamline Business Processes while thinking critically to improve efficiency.

• Develop impactful public speaking skills to present solutions confidently in dynamic settings.

4. Innovative Thinking & Growth Strategy

LinkedIn Ranking: #5 and #14

Creativity paired with strategy fuels long-term business success. Nexford’s Master of Science in Entrepreneurship program was developed with this precise alignment in mind.

As a learner, you’ll master:

• Innovative Thinking by exploring methods for driving technological advancements without losing the human touch.

• Growth Strategy by building workable roadmaps for business expansions.

5. Go-to-Market (GTM) & Solution-Based Selling

LinkedIn Ranking: #12 and #7

For any entrepreneur or product manager, robust GTM strategies and solution-based selling skills are non-negotiable in positioning products. Nexford’s Entrepreneurship curriculum includes:

• GTM Strategy workshops to identify market gaps and maintain competitiveness.

• Solution-Based Selling for creating tailored pitches that meet customer needs.

The Nexford Advantage

What makes Nexford unique in preparing learners for tomorrow? In addition to our learner-friendly model, designed to be affordable, forward-thinking and flexible, the difference is in our dedication to effective outcomes.

The fact that the fastest growing skills for today’s workers are all found within our degree programs is the result of research, industry-alignment, and strategic development – not coincidence.

The workplace is changing, and so are the skills required to thrive in it. But you don’t have to figure it all out on your own. Nexford University’s programs are designed to meet these changing demands and help you stand out in a competitive global job market.

If you’re ready to find yourself on the rise in 2025, explore Nexford’s degree programs now.