Explore Microcredentials for Career Growth

From trade schools to community colleges to universities, there are a lot of pathways for furthering your education. But longer programs aren’t always a viable option, especially when you’re trying to build a career. Microcredentials are a great way to help acquire new skills and enhance your resume. Learn more about what they are and how they can help at every stage of your career.

What Are Microcredentials?

Microcredentials — also called certificates, badges and nanodegrees — are short, flexible training courses focused on specific topics. Many of these programs are offered online through accredited colleges and other educational providers such as Coursera . Microcredentials offered by colleges and universities may be available for credit or as noncredit courses. Depending on your goals, you may choose to pursue a mirocredential to work toward a degree or for professional development.

Some microcredentials don’t have prerequisites, so you can often enroll directly. When you successfully complete all coursework such as video lessons and assignments, you’ll receive your credential.

Digital badge services such as Credly help you share your success when you complete a microcredential. In addition to adding badges to your resume, you can display them on LinkedIn profiles, portfolios and more.

Benefits of Microcredentials

Because microcredentials are shorter programs and often offered online, they can be more affordable and flexible than other programs. Other benefits include the following.

• Stackable: Similar to classes that build on one another, microcredentials can be combined — or stacked — to build a solid foundation in a given topic. Because they are easy to mix and match, you can use them to create a custom learning plan.
• In demand: Microcredentials are offered in a variety of in-demand fields. They are a win-win for employers looking to hire people with emerging skillsets and potential employees looking for a career or promotion in a newer or evolving industry.
• Targeted: Because microcredentials focus on specific skills or topics, you can readily apply learnings to other classes or in the workplace.
• High quality: Many respected schools and course providers offer microcredentials, so you know you’re getting a high-quality education.
• Quick: Badge programs are designed to be completed fairly quickly, so you can gain new skills in a matter of weeks or months rather than years.

How Microcredentials Can Advance Your Career

Microcredentials are versatile and can help students of different backgrounds explore a variety of careers or subjects. You can use microcredentials to help decide which industry you’d like to work in, build skills in a current career, switch careers or determine a course of study for more advanced training. Here are some examples of how microcredentials can help you achieve your goals.

• Getting a jump-start on college: AP classes are available at some high schools, but options may be limited. High school students who want to build credits for college can explore microcredentials. (Note: Some schools may require enrollment and/or acceptance to participate in a for-credit microcredential course.) A high school senior might take a microcredential in accounting to see if they want to specialize in that field in college.
• Starting a career: For those looking for their first job, microcredentials can provide a way to gain industry-specific skills that are often required for entry-level positions. A new graduate might take a microcredential in digital marketing to enhance their resume for jobs in marketing.
• Changing a career: People already in the workforce looking to switch careers can use microcredentials to gain knowledge and skills in a new field without committing to a full degree. A professional in finance might take a series of microcredentials in data science to pivot to a data analyst role.
• Advancing in your career: For those already established in their careers, microcredentials are a great way to keep up with evolving needs in your industry. An IT professional might earn a microcredential in cybersecurity to position themselves for a promotion.

Microcredentials are a practical, flexible and cost-effective way to gain the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in today’s dynamic job market. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to advance in your current field, microcredentials can help you achieve your professional goals.