“Digital badges are a great opportunity for Iowa State students to explore different avenues to build career-readiness skills,” Hageman said. “It’s not just a badge, it’s the work you put into earning it that stands out.”

Mendee said a recent survey found that 85% of employers look for candidates who have both a degree and micro-credentials. “Micro-credentials give students a competitive edge by highlighting their skills in ways that stand out to employers and graduate schools,” Mendee said.