Micro-Credentials
What are Micro-Credentials?
Boost your career by earning micro-credentials, issued as digital badges by Iowa State University.
Micro-credentials are short learning experiences that offer a way to learn a designated set of skills. Employers value these credentials, as they show you have the skills they're looking for, verified by Iowa State University.
These digital badges complement your degree and highlight your commitment to your career path.
Why Collect Digital Badges
Proving your abilities by earning digital badges can boost your visibility to recruiters!
Employers are now seeking new hires who have both a college education and essential job skills such as communication, creative problem-solving, and leadership.
LinkedIn profiles with digital badges are viewed 6 times more often than those without!
Digital badges are great conversation starters and give you the ability to talk about not only the skills you gained, but how you did it.
You aren't just collecting awards by earning digital badges, you're building a strong foundation for your future! Digital badges can help you translate your academic achievements into practical and transferable skills.
Share your accomplishments and showcase your skills anywhere, anytime!
Pathway Planner
Designing Career Success
Reflect on your learning experiences with a Pathway Planner and mentor for two academic years.
Workshops
Creative Confidence for Innovation
Complete two workshops on innovation and reflect on the Pathway Planner.
Leading with Strengths
Complete two workshops on leadership and reflect on the Pathway Planner.
Public Presentation Proficiency
Complete two workshops on public presentation and present your hands-on learning in four brief minutes.
Mock Interviews
Career Pathways: Collaboration
Provide an understanding of collaboration and how to leverage this strength to build relationships in mock interview.
Career Pathways: Communication
Provide an understanding of communication and how to leverage this strength using effective skills in mock interview.
Career Pathways: Critical Thinking
Provide an understanding of critical thinking and how to leverage this strength to make decisions and solve problems in mock interview.
Career Pathways: Global Perspective
Provide an understanding of global perspectives and how to leverage this to engage with people from different backgrounds in mock interview.
Career Pathways: Professionalism
Provide an understanding of professionalism and how to leverage this in work habits and act in the interest of the larger community in mock interview.
Career Pathways: Scientific Research
Provide an understanding of undergraduate research and how to leverage this to conduct scientific research in mock interview.
Career Pathways: Technology
Provide an understanding of the ethical use of technology and how to leverage this to enhance efficiencies and complete tasks in mock interview.
Hands-On Learning
Competitive Impact Badge
Competitive learning can include judging competitions, food Insecurity and innovation challenges, hackathons, and more.
Creative Impact Badge
Creative learning can include science-art projects, design work, creative self-projects, and more.
Entrepreneurship Impact Badge
Entrepreneurship learning can include entrepreneurship-based experiences, pitch off challenges, business start-ups, and more.
Global Impact Badge
Global learning can include study abroad, study away, student exchange programs, and more.
Internship Impact Badge
Internship learning can include field experience, co-op, apprenticeships, internships, and more.
Research Impact Badge
Research learning can include undergraduate research, capstone projects, and more.
Service Impact Badge
Service learning can include non-profit work, service learning, volunteering, and more.
Community and Industry Connections
Complete an industry tour and reflect on collaborative work among community and industry partners.
Program Completion Badges
Competitive Innovator and Leader
This badge signifies the successful completion of the Competitive Innovator and Leader micro-credential pathway.
Creative Innovator and Leader
This badge signifies the successful completion of the Creative Innovator and Leader micro-credential pathway.
Entrepreneurial Innovator and Leader
This badge signifies the successful completion of the Entrepreneurial Innovator and Leader micro-credential pathway.
Global Innovator and Leader
This badge signifies the successful completion of the Global Innovator and Leader micro-credential pathway.
Innovator and Leader Intern
This badge signifies the successful completion of the Innovator and Leader Intern micro-credential pathway.
Innovator and Leader Scholar
This badge signifies the successful completion of the Innovator and Leader Scholar micro-credential pathway.
Service Innovator and Leader
This badge signifies the successful completion of the Service Innovator and Leader micro-credential pathway.