Micro-Credentials

September 27, 2020 Announcements

What is a micro-credential?

A micro-credential showcases your competency in skills that are needed in today’s workforce. A verified micro-credential is earned when learners are able to demonstrate what they know and what they are able to do, related to a specific topic. Additionally, it is a verified credential earned when learners demonstrate what they know and are able to do related to a specific area of study. They show their understanding through evidence and application. Micro-credentials are made up of stacked digital badges along a pathway that highlight the skills needed to be successful.

What are UMS micro-credentials?

Each UMS micro-credential is designed to take a learner from foundational knowledge and rigorous training, to application in a real-world work-setting. You can earn three levels of badges taking you from foundational learning to application of that learning. When you earn the final stacked macro-badge in your pathway you have earned the UMS micro-credential.

Why should I earn an UMS micro-credential?

86% of hiring managers indicate that it is “very important” that recent graduates demonstrate the ability to apply knowledge and skills in real-world settings and only 39% think recent graduates are well-prepared to apply skills in real-world settings. Hart Research Associates. Fulfilling the American Dream: Liberal Education and the Future of Work (Washington, D.C.: AAC&U, 2018)

  • Obtain a valued UMS credential
  • Makes your competencies visible, beyond what is seen on a transcript or resume
  • Demonstrate skills in real-world settings
  • Upskill for greater marketability
  • Gain work experience and received valuable performance feedback
  • Differentiate yourself and stand out to employers
  • Better articulate the skills you developed to potential employers
  • Enhances your digital identity
  • Share your badges and be recognized!

All badges can be shared on social media and professional sites, such as LinkedIn as well as on your website, e-portfolio or resume!

UMS Career Prepared Micro-Credential

This micro-credential pathway is designed to help you develop your career goals and build career-related skills. Your pathway is completely personalized based on what you articulate in your career action plan.

There are three levels to earning the full micro-credential.

Goal 1. Introduction to Career Services
The learner completed a minimum of one of the following activities to familiarize themselves with career service resources. Resources include the benefits of receiving the Career Prepared Micro-Credential.

  • Met with a Career Counselor/Coach to talk about career services, or
  • Attended an approved career-relevant event/workshop or participated in an approved career-related activity.

Goal 2. Career Exploration: Introduction to career options

  • Completed an appropriate self-assessment/self-reflection such as FOCUS2, Myer-Briggs Type Indicator, StrengthsFinder, WOWI.

And completed one of the following:

  • Explored careers and job ads using Career Service resources (e.g., library, Occupational Outlook Handbook, online resources, videos, Career Explorer tools) and identified possible careers (job titles and qualifications).
  • Met with a Career Counselor/Coach about career exploration.
  • Completed a first-year seminar or other approved course or workshop/series that integrated career exploration and/or career-building activities into the curriculum. (May also fulfill Goal 1).

Goal 3. Action

  • Registered with their campus job board (e.g., CareerLink).

Evidence and Assessment
The learner:

  • Completed a self-assessment/self-reflection.
  • Registered with an appropriate job board (e.g., CareerLink registration).
  • Completed appropriate forms of evidence: verification of utilization of Career Services resources and other activities to fulfill the criteria.

1. Career Training and Skill Development
The learner attended an approved career-related Level 2 training and began to fulfill the criteria for earning an Education Design Lab 21st Century Skill micro-badge.

2. Action: The learner completed all of the following:

  • Claimed their Level 1 Career Prepared badge and created a badge platform account.
  • Wrote a Career Action Plan or similar career preparation plan.
  • Acted on a Career/Skill Building Experience from their Career Action Plan.
  • Began their job and/or internship search using appropriate search resources; identified internships and/or other work experiences in preparation for Level 3.
  • Reflected on their learning experience and skill development.

3. Completed at least one of the following (maybe part of one’s Career Action Plan):

  • Reviewed their resume with a Career Professional.
  • Uploaded their resume in CareerLink or other job search board.
  • Participated in a mock interview or interview coaching experience.
  • Created/updated their Linkedin Profile.

Evidence and Assessment
The learner:

  • Previously earned the Career Prepared Level 1 badge.
  • Completed a Career Action Plan or similar approved plan.
  • Completed the Career Prepared Level 2 reflection form or another approved reflection.

1. Applied learning and skill development in a work setting:

  • Completed at least one successful career-related internship, employment opportunity, or other approved career-related experience, demonstrating growth and skill development.

2. Performance Appraisal/Feedback:

  • Received a favorable performance evaluation/appraisal from a supervisor or other appropriate staff.
  • Confirmed competency in earning a 21st Century Education Design Lab badge.

3. Further Action:

  • Completed an activity on their Career Action Plan, beyond what was completed to earn Level 1 and 2.
  • Reflected on the attainment of their learning goals, skill development, the application of their learning, the impact of their training on their career development, and reflection of their performance appraisal. Also, provided an overall reflection of the success of their Career Action activities.

Evidence and Assessment
The learner:

  • Previously earned the Level 1 and Level 2 Career Prepared badges.
  • Earned an Education Design Lab 21st Century Skill badge.
  • Submitted the online Career Prepared Level 3 reflection form or another approved reflection.

This badge acknowledges that the learner:

  • Successfully completed the University of Maine System (UMS) Career Prepared pathway (Levels 1, 2, and 3).
  • Developed a Career Action Plan that included the articulation of skill development, career goals, and identification of values, interests, and transferable skills.
  • Successfully completed at least one career-related, work-based experience such as an internship or approved employment opportunity.
  • Developed employability skills by receiving a positive performance evaluation from their work-based supervisor and also earned a 21st Century Skills micro-badge. The recipients of the micro-credential developed skills in career exploration, resume and cover letter writing, and job search strategies.
  • Demonstrated competence in articulating their skills development with potential employers.

 

 

 

 

 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

  • Current University of Maine System Student

THE BENEFITS

  • Identify your values, interests and transferable skills
  • Create a personalized career action plan
  • Participate in career exploration activities outlined in your personalized plan
  • Earn a 21st Century Skill Badge along the way (see below)
  • Gain experience and contacts in your field of interest!

COST & DELIVERY MODE

  • This micro-credential is completely FREE and self-paced!
  • Many first-year seminars and INT 192 work towards and complete level 1.  

HOW DO I START?

For further information about the UMS Micro-Credential Initiative, please visit the website or email ums.mc@maine.edu. Interested in earning other micro-credentials? View the full catalog of UMS Micro-Credentials. Questions about how to see and share the digital badges you’ve earned? Check out the Badge Earner Guide.

To begin Level 1 of the UMS Career Pathway, please contact: