Imagine a way to track, display, and promote your career exploration accomplishments in high school, earning credit along the way.
Last year, we shared some of the history of digital badges in our post, Badges Aren’t Just For Scouts, with a promise of updates. Good news: Badges are here at VLACS and we can’t wait to share them with you!
What do you need to know?
Well, if you need a refresher, check out our post from last year. If you’re ready to dive in and start earning those digital awards of competency in skills and qualifications, read on. It’s time to discover, explore, and achieve!
Digital badges in education offer students the opportunity to explore different career pathways and potentially make some post-high school career choices, like whether to work right after graduation in a specific field, earn a certification, attend a trade school, community college, or four-year program in a career area.
VLACS will be offering over 60 badges, with over 150 options in the near future. Students can earn badges for career-specific learning in many career areas like healthcare, health science, business, marketing and finance, information technology, the arts, sciences, and physical fitness.
What kinds of activities can you do to earn a badge?
You can complete job shadows, micro-internships, and virtual connections with professionals in addition to taking courses and working on career-focused projects.
Once you complete one of these activities with VLACS and earn the required competencies in that area, you’ll automatically receive a digital badge in your email inbox.
It looks something like this:
What do you do with it?
Well, for starters, mention it on a resume. It stays with you digitally in a Badgr account, which you’ll need to create — and it’s free!
You can link this digital badge to all of your social media, like Twitter and LinkedIn, include it in your email signature, and add it to your list of accomplishments on your website or resume. It’s linkable, reproducible, and distinctly yours.
What does it do for you?
It shows potential employers and higher education administrators that you have some interest, credibility, and experience in a career field.
How can you sign up for badges? The easiest way to sign up is to check out our learning catalog.
As you search options, look for the badge icon on the course card.
Register for the options that meet your needs and interests, and start earning those badges!
