Creative thinking is occurring in the workplace across a variety of industries. Employers need people who can solve problems, think creatively, and communicate innovation in new ways. As a creative company, Adobe has both an opportunity and a responsibility to ensure the next generation has the skills to meet the demands of these changing industries.
When I taught in high school and college, my top priority was to bridge the gap between discipline and career skills, allowing students to learn deeply while providing a wide range of career opportunities. As new technologies emerge, such as generative AI, employers large and small are seeking graduates with the creative skills needed to adapt to this rapidly changing business environment.
That’s where alternative credentials come into play. Adobe offers a variety of credential types, from micro-credentials to professional certifications in essential digital and creative skills, to help students stand out to employers. Stackable short micro-credentials are especially useful for teaching and showcasing many specific skills that are not often taught in schools today. Through the Adobe Creative Skills program for college students, we offer 12 self-paced courses that teach you the most in-demand skills, from using generative AI to designing and delivering presentations to editing short videos for pop social media. Masu.
With input from industry leaders and Adobe Creative Campus partners, we designed these courses to not only complement traditional coursework, but also provide hands-on opportunities to put your newfound skills into practice. designed the course. At the end of a short (1-3 hour) micro-credential course, students receive a digital certificate and badge. Badges can be placed on your resume or LinkedIn profile to showcase your skills and stand out to employers.
Last year, 24 Adobe Creative Campuses adopted microcredentials programs and experimented with different ways to engage students, adding microcredentials programs to faculty-wide curricula and course modules, first-year experience programs, career services, and student clubs. Integrated. At the end of the first pilot year, more than 20,000 university students are now supplementing their coursework and university experience by acquiring additional creative skills for the job market.
Some schools have cleverly leveraged existing infrastructure and communication channels to introduce microcredentials to a broader audience. Indian River State University raised awareness through a prominent pop-up notification that appears every time a student logs into their learning management system (LMS). Some included micro-credentials as part of the course. Seton Hall University has launched Adobe micro-certificate courses across campus and integrated them into various academic programs. Many instructors are incorporating these skill-building courses into their curricula to enhance student engagement, improve academic outcomes and digital literacy skills, and increase career readiness.
UTSA student promoting Adobe microcredentials.
As part of the “Texas Qualifications for the Future” strategic initiative, the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) has taken an aggressive, top-down approach. Faculty, teaching assistants, and Adobe Student Ambassadors were encouraged to promote microcredentials in their classes across departments and disciplines. After all, learning how to communicate across media, deliver presentations, and use generative AI are important skills for all students, not just traditional design students.
One of UTSA’s biggest supporters is Dr. Chris Packham, professor of physics and astronomy. He believes that digital literacy and creative thinking are especially important in the scientific field. In science, students must question information, brainstorm theories, and present their results effectively. For Professor Packham, Adobe’s microcredentials are a way for students to not only participate and excel in class, but also gain skills that will help them in their careers.
“We don’t just want to see a bunch of assignments coming in in Word or Excel,” explains Dr. Packham. “UTSA is an Adobe Creative Campus, so we encourage students to take advantage of their access to Adobe tools to find more innovative ways to meet challenges. The qualification recognizes the creative and problem-solving skills that employers, and by extension, look for in future scientists.”
UTSA alumna Jocelyn Espinoza
One of UTSA’s former Adobe Student Ambassadors, Jocelyn Espinoza, recently graduated with degrees in psychology and marketing. She highlighted micro-credentials in social media and generative AI on her resume. These skills helped her quickly land a job as Mathnasium’s assistant center director, where she handles the facility’s social media accounts and supports lead generation.
“I liked that the Adobe Creative Skills course was a self-paced lesson that focused on a specific task, like creating a viral social media piece, rather than product features,” Espinoza said. Masu. “Having a badge proves that you have mastered a skill, more than just having it on your resume.”
University of Utah students celebrate Adobe Express.
At the University of Utah, Holly Johnson, associate director of learning experience innovation and outreach, led a team that tested different approaches to microcredentials, from creating marketing campaigns to incorporating them into undergraduate business curricula. Johnson came up with the idea of fostering creativity by making a presentation skills course a prerequisite for students taking part in Eccles Business School’s popular Social Impact Challenge. Students learned about design, color and presentation skills and gained confidence in their creativity before designing and presenting a website as part of the competition.
“Microcredentials teach students foundational skills that they can fill out on resumes for internships and jobs,” Johnson says. “It’s also important that it’s made by Adobe, which is highly regarded in the creative field. We believe that all students can be creative, and we want to add Adobe to your resume.” By writing this down, you can gain confidence in your abilities in any field.
As a former educator, I see campuses increasingly committed to these new levels of educational innovation and to preparing students for lifelong success, including opening new avenues of career and economic opportunity. I’m inspired by this. Now that these micro-credentials are available across all Adobe Creative Campuses, we’re making it easier for faculty and academic leaders to use their micro-credentials for courses, workshops, competitions, clubs, and other campus programs. This allows students to not only do better in their studies, but also build confidence and gain in-demand skills to stand out to employers in any industry.
Learn more about Adobe Creative Skills courses and how you can unlock transformative career opportunities with micro-certification courses.
Interested in becoming an Adobe Creative Campus? Visit our webpage to learn how universities around the world give students from all walks of life the opportunity to learn the digital skills essential to success in the classroom and beyond. Find out how.
