Microcredentials offer learners an accessible and affordable way to gain and market industry-recognized technical skills that provide pathways into new opportunities. 

Emerging technologies like blockchain, artificial intelligence, and robotics are creating a global demand for skilled technicians to fill critical roles. While many of these positions require specific skills, they don’t always demand a two or four-year degree. This is where skills-based microcredentials come in.

Microcredentials are a relatively new type of credential that represent the mastery of specific skills in a learning program. In order to earn them, learners must demonstrate the skill through a skills validation assessment. They can be “stacked” to show a growing skillset in a defined area, allowing learners to earn several microcredentials in one program. Microcredentials are also verifiable and digitally shareable, highlighting the skills learners have acquired for potential employers. 

Providing new pathways into technical careers 

It’s important to understand where skills-based microcredentials fall in the wider scope of credentials earned through learning programs. Microcredentials remove barriers to entry in technical fields by offering a more accessible path for learners compared to traditional degrees, as they require less time and financial investment. They allow aspiring technical professionals to quickly gain and demonstrate the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to secure entry-level opportunities. Additionally, microcredentials provide paths for advancement by enabling working professionals to upskill their current abilities or reskill into new areas.

Skills-based microcredentials provide new pathways into technical careers in three ways: 

1. Skilling: Pathways to entry-level opportunities  

Microcredentials can help new workers build and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for technical entry-level positions. Unlike broader two- or four-year degrees, microcredentials focus on the specific competencies of the role, significantly reducing the time and cost for a learner to become job-ready. 

2. Upskilling: Pathways to advanced opportunities 

For current technical professionals, microcredentials enable continuous professional development by allowing learners to quickly upskill, or acquire new, specialized skills to meet an organization’s needs or new career opportunities. 

3. Reskilling: Pathways to Emerging Industry Careers  

As technology evolves, certain jobs may change or even become obsolete while new ones emerge. Microcredentials offer a swift and agile pathway for career transition, enabling professionals to proactively reskill for evolving business needs or opportunities in emerging technical fields.

Getting Started 

More universities and training organizations are starting to offer microcredentials because of the value they provide for learners and industry, but their quality and definitions can vary. This makes it challenging for students to understand the true value of the microcredential. 

With over 30 years of experience, IEEE has the credibility and infrastructure to offer trusted verification of skills-based microcredentials. We partner with industry leaders, training providers, and conference organizers to validate training programs and issue verified professional credentials that meet rigorous industry standards.

Newest eLearning offering Credentials

In addition to skills-based microcredentials, IEEE Educational Activities is offering a variety of new online courses. When you successfully complete courses offered by IEEE Educational Activities, you’ll earn continuing education credits that can be used towards maintaining your Professional Engineer license. Plus, you can also earn digital badges from course programs to display on your LinkedIn profile, highlighting your commitment for professional growth to potential employers.

AI and Chip Technology

• AI Applications in Semiconductor Packaging:
  Explore how AI is transforming semiconductor packaging reliability, contrasting traditional methods with advanced techniques for performance prediction, failure analysis, and lifecycle optimization.
• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Chip Design:
  In this program, learners will gain comprehensive knowledge of AI and machine learning applications in chip design and EDA tools, exploring high-value use cases, relevant technologies, and implementation strategies to improve product quality and design efficiency. Learners will also understand how these advances are fundamentally transforming chip design methodologies and prepare for future developments in the field.
• Integrating Edge AI and Advanced Nanotechnology in Semiconductor Applications:
  This course series explores the intersection of AI, edge computing, and nanotechnology through five connected courses. Learners will cover foundational concepts, nanomagnetic logic, semiconductor innovations, real-world applications, and future system architecture, gaining comprehensive skills in Edge AI Nanoinformatics for modern computing environments.
• Mastering AI Integration in Semiconductor Manufacturing:
  In this course, learners will explore how AI is revolutionizing semiconductor manufacturing by examining fundamental AI integration concepts, data collection techniques, process optimization methods, and supply chain applications. Participants will gain practical skills to implement AI strategies that enhance production efficiency, improve product quality, and make data-driven decisions within their organizations.

Technology and Infrastructure

• Battery Energy Storage Technologies and Applications:
  This comprehensive program offers an in-depth exploration of battery storage technologies, covering fundamental concepts, applications across various sectors, technical design, safety regulations, and advanced developments in transportation applications.
• IEEE 802.11ax: An Overview of High-Efficiency Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi 6):
  This course explores IEEE 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) technology, covering PHY layer innovations (day one) and MAC layer advancements (day two). Learners will examine how 802.11ax achieves higher efficiency and improved performance in dense wireless environments through better spectrum utilization, flexible multi-access schemes, and enhanced interference management.

Data and Digital Strategy

• Machine Learning: Predictive Analysis for Business Decisions:
  In this course, learners will gain an overview of machine learning types and applications for enterprise data analysis, while mastering the technical vocabulary and high-level concepts needed to effectively deploy machine learning solutions in business operations.
• Protecting Privacy in the Digital Age:
  In this course, learners will gain a comprehensive understanding of digital privacy, including how to operationalize privacy in organizations, engineer privacy into systems, make privacy usable for end users, and address emerging technological challenges to privacy. This program addresses the critical need for privacy protection in our increasingly digitized world where technological innovations pose growing risks to personal information security.

Check out more eLearning Courses that offer digital credentials on the IEEE Learning Network. 

Read more about different types of credentials and how they can advance your career here.

September brings two powerful reminders of the value of continuous learning and the people who make it possible: Online Learning Day (September 15) and IT Professionals Day (September 16).

While these observances originated in the U.S., their impact is universal. In today’s digital-first world, accessible learning and skilled technical professionals are essential everywhere, and IEEE is proud to support that mission.

Why Online Learning Matters—Now More Than Ever

Online learning day celebrates how digital education breaks down barriers and expands access to knowledge. For engineers and technical professionals, it’s a reminder that learning is a lifelong journey—not a one-time event.

Online learning has transformed how professionals grow and adapt. It’s no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. The global online education market is projected to reach $203.81 billion by the end of 2025, with over 1.12 billion users expected worldwide by 2029.

Honoring IT Professionals: The Backbone of Innovation

IT Professionals Day recognizes the individuals who keep our digital infrastructure secure, efficient, and resilient. These professionals are essential to every industry, and their expertise drives innovation across borders.

According to forecasts from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. tech workforce is projected to grow at twice the rate of the overall labor market over the next decade. This signals a powerful opportunity for IT and other technology professionals!

IEEE supports IT professionals globally through courses that address real-world challenges, from automotive cybersecurity to privacy protection in the digital age. ILN’s content is designed to meet the evolving needs of this critical workforce, wherever they are.

IEEE Learning Network: Online Courses for Engineers and Technical professionals

The IEEE Learning Network (ILN) is a trusted destination for engineers, technologists, and professionals seeking to upskill, stay ahead of emerging trends, and grow their careers. With hundreds of expert-led courses available on demand, ILN offers flexible, high-quality learning tailored to a global audience.

Why Choose ILN?

• Learn directly from IEEE subject matter experts
• Earn CEUs and PDHs for professional development
• Explore trending topics like AI, cybersecurity, smart grid standards, and more
• Access content anytime, anywhere – on your schedule

Celebrate with 25% Off Online Courses

In celebration of Online Learning Day and IT Professionals Day, IEEE is offering 25% off a curated selection of online courses designed to elevate your skills and expand your expertise.

From AI ethics to distributed energy resources, these courses are built for today’s technical professionals, no matter where they live or work.

Take 25% off select courses from 12–20 September using promo code ILN25 at checkout. Offer ends 20 September at 11:59 PM ET.

Featured course programs include:

• All About IOT Security
• AI Standards: Roadmap for Ethical and Responsible Digital Environments
• Artificial Intelligence and Ethics in Design
• Automotive Cyber Security: Protecting the Vehicular Network
• IEEE Software and Systems Engineering Standards Used in Aerospace and Defense
• Integrating Edge AI and Advanced Nanotechnology in Semiconductor Applications
• Introduction to IEEE Std 1547-2018: Connecting Distributed Energy Resources
• Machine Learning: Predictive Analysis for Business Decisions
• NESC® 2023: National Electrical Safety Code
• Protecting Privacy in the Digital Age

Explore the full catalog at IEEE Learning Network and start your learning journey today.

Join us in celebrating lifelong learning and the professionals who power innovation around the world.

Studies show that strong business management, leadership, and communication skills are as important as technical skills when it comes to success and advancement in the engineering field.

Engineers are recognized for their innate analytical skills, problem-solving abilities, curiosity, creativity, and flexibility. What may not come as second nature to them, however, are business management and leadership skills. And studies show that these, along with strong technical skills, are all crucial to a successful career in engineering.

While engineers typically focus their time on product development and the delivery of technical solutions and services, experts at The Engineering & Leadership Project contend that engineers are often “never taught to understand financial statements or other critical markers of organizational health”. Those critical markers are all “business engineering” skills that could help them better understand the organizations they work for and drive improved outcomes by their teams and company.

In-Demand Skills

A recent Harvard Business School analysis of job opportunities for engineers concurred. While strong technical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills were all among the top capabilities sought by leading employers, the study found that these were only part of the equation. Strengths in communication, management, business operations, and leadership rounded out lists of most critical traits for a job candidate and successful engineer.

Across the various engineering job opportunities featured in their survey, the same Harvard Business School study noted that business and leadership skills were more universally requested and in higher demand than some technical competencies. For instance, while demand for computer science skills appeared in 16% of the engineering job postings they analyzed, communication and management skills were required in 34% and 24%, respectively. This suggests that the ability to connect/work with people and effectively manage operations may be more versatile, applicable, and necessary to all engineering fields as well as predictive of success than any one technical skill.

Engineering, Business, and Leadership: A Powerful Link

Interestingly, studies show that many of the skills that engineers naturally possess position them to be strong business leaders. Among them, their ability to manage highly detailed projects and problem-solve enables them to multi-task and meet deadlines, while their technical literacy and strength with numbers provides a leg up in both the use of modern technology and the ability to prepare business plans and analyze financial and other data. As a result, it comes as no surprise that Harvard Business Review’s recent analysis of 100 top-performing CEOs around the globe found that a full 34% of them possess an undergraduate degree in engineering.

Experts from Indeed agree that training in business and leadership skills can be invaluable to an engineer’s professional advancement and career aspirations. According to Indeed, possession of these skills can not only enhance an engineer’s candidacy for a specific job but can more positively position them for successive roles and leadership positions down the line.  These skills can also provide engineers with a strong foundation should they elect to switch jobs during their career or even start their own business.

The bottom line?

Let IEEE Help You Boost Your Business and Leadership Skills

A wealth of experts confirms that the days of operating in field-specific silos are over and that the best and most empowered engineers are those who bring a combination of technical, business management, and leadership skills to the table.

IEEE is here to help engineers fill the gap with its unique IEEE | Rutgers Online Mini-MBA for Engineers.

Offered by IEEE in conjunction with Rutgers Business School and flexible in format, this course is specially designed to help engineers and technical professionals bridge the gap between business and engineering, prepare for professional growth, and obtain the critical business skills needed for well-rounded and long-term career success

Covering such key topics as Business Strategy, Managing New Product Development, Analyzing Financial Statements, Intellectual Property Strategy, Sales and Marketing, Leadership, and more, the convenient and self-paced 12-week Mini-MBA course involves a combination of expert instruction, peer interaction, self-paced video lessons, interactive assessments, live office hours, and a hands-on capstone project experience. This winning program – currently the only online Mini-MBA curriculum specifically designed for engineers and technical professionals — will help participants make more informed business decisions, better align their technical capabilities with proven business strategy, and prepare to meet the market’s growing demand for well-rounded engineers with demonstrated skills in business management and leadership.

Reserve your spot in the IEEE | Rutgers Online Mini-MBA for Engineers course today, either as an individual or as a company! For more information or to explore opportunities to further develop your business management skills, contact us today!

 

Resources

(23 January 2022). Business Engineering: Why Engineers Should Have Business Skills. The Engineering & Leadership Project.

Landry, Lauren. (5 January 2023). 6 Business Skills Every Engineer Needs. Harvard Business School.

Clayton, Ben. (19 March 2023). Why Engineers Make Good Business Leaders. QS Top Universities.

McGregor, Jena. (24 October 2018). More Top CEOs Now Have Engineering Degrees than MBAs. Financial Post.

(26 January 2023). 12 Business Skills for an Engineer Resume. Indeed.

7 Essential Business Skills for Engineers. Canadian Institute of International Business.

Author and leadership expert John Maxwell once famously said that “the single biggest way to impact an organization is to focus on leadership development. There is almost no limit to the potential of an organization that recruits good people, raises them up as leaders, and continually develops them.” A culture of leadership development and innovation boosts profits and engages workers.

Experts confirm that there are clear benefits to fostering leadership by encouraging your employees’ professional growth and nurturing and developing leaders in your company. Studies show that promoting a culture of leadership, innovation, and continuous learning offer value for organizations, or can present significant impediments to success in their absence.

By the Numbers

• 10%: The number of true “natural leaders” there are in the population, according to leadership research conducted in 2023 by career website Zippia. However, Zippia’s research also shows that another 20% of individuals have the requisite talents and could be cultivated into high-quality leaders with the right training and development.
• 7%: The amount of annual sales companies give up (or don’t capitalize on) for every year that they delay or deny the professional growth and development of those who show leadership potential, according to Zippia research.
• 22%: How much more profitable companies are that engage their employees by building a culture of leadership, innovation, and recognition versus those that don’t, also according to Zippia research.
• 82%: Percent of leaders who agreed that an organization that can’t innovate will fail within five years, according to a 2023 survey of nearly 10,000 leaders and employees in the tech industry by Miro, an innovative platform for distributed teams.
• 4 out of 5: The number of tech/information workers surveyed who agreed that a culture of innovation boosts employee engagement and keeps employees “more invested in and excited about the company’s future,” according to the aforementioned Miro research.
• US$8.8 Trillion, or 9% of the world’s GDP: The cost of low employee engagement to the global economy, according to Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace: 2023 Report.
• 20-25%: Percentage increase in overall job performance, productivity, and leadership behaviors demonstrated by those who underwent leadership training, according to a 2017 study on Leadership Training Design, Delivery, and Implementation published in the Journal of Applied Psychology.
• 10X: How much faster top innovation companies are at developing new products than their weaker counterparts, according to a McKinsey study. The study also found that top innovators are three times more likely to meet their customers’ needs than weaker competitors.
  

Invest in Your Team’s Growth and Success Through the IEEE Professional Development Suite

Experts agree that developing leaders and promoting a culture of innovation and learning will increase employee engagement and retention, boost sales and profitability, and move your organization forward. Within the fast-moving, rapidly-evolving, and competitive tech arena, the IEEE Professional Development Suite is uniquely adapted to support this culture of innovation and learning.

The IEEE Professional Development Suite is specially-designed for current and aspiring technology leaders who want to develop their essential business and management skills. The programs help sharpen the unique skills needed to advance their teams, create engaged and inspired workplace environments, and support their organizations in advancing technology and innovation.

Programs included in the IEEE Professional Development Suite are:

IEEE Leading Technical Teams

This live learning program recognizes the unique challenges that come with leading technical groups. It’s designed for team leaders, managers, and directors of engineering and technology teams.

In addition to the live, 6-hour training, attendees will also participate in the “360° Leadership Practices Inventory.” This leadership development tool solicits confidential feedback on the participant’s areas of strength and opportunities for improvement from their team members, peers, and managers/supervisors. The program also encompasses instructor-led exercises and case studies demonstrating the application of best practices to various workplace challenges. Participants will also learn the “Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership” and receive valuable peer coaching. Learn more about IEEE Leading Technical Teams training sessions featuring both in-person and virtual options.

IEEE | Rutgers Online Mini-MBA for Engineers and Technology Professionals

This flexible mini-MBA, offered by IEEE in partnership with Rutgers Business School, is specifically designed to help engineers and technology professionals obtain the critical business skills needed for long-term career success. The 15-week curriculum covers topics such as Business Strategy, New Product Development Management, Financial Analysis, Sales and Marketing, Leadership, and more. Learners will benefit from a combination of expert instruction, peer interaction, self-paced video lessons, interactive assessments, live office hours, and hands-on capstone project experience.

Overall, this unique program, which is the only online mini-MBA curriculum specifically designed for engineers and technical professionals, trains participants to make more informed business decisions and better align their technical capabilities with proven business strategy. The program offers flexible learning opportunities for individual learners as well as customized company cohort options. Learn more about the IEEE | Rutgers Online Mini-MBA for Engineers and Technology Professionals.

Intensive Wireless Communications Course Series

Exclusively presented by the IEEE Communications Society, this highly interactive live course series provides the training necessary to stay ahead of key topics and developments in the dynamic and rapidly-evolving wireless communications industry.

Designed for people with an engineering background who want to enhance their knowledge of wireless communication technologies, this course is an ideal way to train individual employees or your entire team at once! Learn more about the Intensive Wireless Communications Course Series.

Advanced Topics in Wireless Course Series

Presented exclusively by the IEEE Communications Society and designed for engineers and technical professionals with an existing working knowledge of wireless who are looking to enhance their skill set, this course dives into the latest advancements, applications, and use cases in emerging connectivity. By completing this course, your team will have the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in the fast-paced world of wireless communications.

Participants in this live, online course series will develop a comprehensive view of 5G/NR technology, a profound understanding of the implementation of all of the ITU-specified use case categories (e.g., enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), mIoT, and URLLC), and a robust foundation on the network architecture evolution technology enablers towards fully-open radio access networks. Learn more about the Advanced Topics in Wireless Course Series.

IEEE eLearning Library 

IEEE offers hundreds of hours of high-quality online courses in core and emerging technologies. Tailored for professionals, faculty, and students, the IEEE eLearning Library taps into a wealth of expertise from our global network of over 450,000 industry and academia members. IEEE eLearning Library courses cover a wide array of disciplines and standards—whether you or your learners want to enhance knowledge in their own technical field or expand to other technical specialties. Tap into courses in areas of aerospace and defense, artificial intelligence, communications and telecommunications, cyber and data privacy, power and energy, standards and more! Learn more about the IEEE eLearning Library.

Don’t wait to tap into the IEEE Professional Development Suite! Help foster the growth and leadership skills that will propel your organization to higher levels of innovation and success.

 

Resources

Kizer, Kristin. (29 June 2023). 35+ Powerful Leadership Statistics [2023]: Things All Aspiring Leaders Should Know. Zippia.

Morgan, Felix. (6 September 2023). Navigating the Innovation Paradox: Insights from Miro’s New Survey. Miro.

State of the Global Workplace: 2023 Report. Gallup.

Bouchrika, Imed. (18 January 2024). 24 Leadership Training Statistics for 2024: Data, Insights & Predictions. Research.com. 

Lacerenza, C., Reyes, D., Marlow, S., Joseph, D., Salas, E. (2017). Leadership Training Design, Delivery, and Implementation: A Meta-Analysis. Journal of Applied Psychology, 102 (12), 1686-1707.

Banholzer, Matt, LaBerge, Laura, West, Andy, and Williams, Evan.  (14 December 2023).  How Innovative Companies Leverage Tech to Outperform. McKinsey & Company.

With careers in engineering and technology evolving so rapidly, a commitment to upskilling is imperative to employee growth and the ability to stay competitive in today’s marketplace. Maintaining the appropriate credentials— such as a certificate or digital badge that attests to successful completion of a specific set of learning objectives – can further differentiate you and your company from those who don’t hold the same qualifications.

According to Careertech, “credentials provide proof of knowledge, verify a student’s capability to perform a particular trade, skill, or occupation, and give students incentive for further achievement.” As such, credentialing programs are key tools that both validate learning and motivate learners.

Not only do individuals benefit from capitalizing on credentials that they can “stack,” but so do companies. Here are some key benefits that companies and employees reap from credentialing.

Lower Turnover

Opportunities for continuing education and credentialing have long been strongly linked to employee job satisfaction. Many companies, including Microsoft, have found that offering training and credentialing opportunities help motivate and retain employees by ensuring that employees feel seen, heard, and valued. Ultimately, these programs encourage promotion from within. They also help reduce turnover and costly recruiting expenses for organizations.

Empowered Leadership

According to a study by the Center for Association Leadership, members with a variety of credentials were more compliant with standard industry practices, more engaged in industry-related initiatives, and more likely to take on leadership roles than their non-credentialed counterparts.

Greater Ability to Attract Talent

Research done by Lorman Education found that nearly 60% of the 72.2 million-strong millennial demographic— the largest workforce generation in the U.S.— identify “development opportunities” as extremely important when deciding whether to apply for a position. As a result, a company’s ability to offer high-quality training and the corresponding credentials that demonstrate skill mastery can make it a more attractive employer to qualified candidates.

Enhanced Productivity

Digital credentials can help boost workforce productivity, a benefit that both companies and their employees will enjoy. Within the IT sector, for instance, a joint study conducted by Microsoft and the International Data Corporation (IDC) found that credentialed technical professionals were nearly 90% more productive than their non-credentialed counterparts— a benefit which skills trainer Global Knowledge said often translated to companies in the form of enhanced efficiency and skills-driven return on investment. At the same time, the Microsoft/IDC survey also found that technical professionals who had undergone additional training were more likely to be promoted based on management confidence in their skills and maturity— a clear benefit for professionals as well.

Higher Salaries

Employees with additional credentials can reap financial rewards from their extra effort. According to Ryan Miller, Director of Client Success at career consulting company Employment BOOST, the addition of relevant credentials to a resume can potentially lead to salary increases of anywhere from 5%-20% depending on the industry and credential.

Improved Job Security

Simply put, the acquisition of skill-based credentials helps professionals keep up with and stay ahead of an ever-evolving workforce. For companies and professionals in today’s rapidly-changing technical landscape, confirmed Danny King, CEO and Co-Founder of Accredible, “digital credentialing can now be an invaluable tool for the corporate world and educational system to reskill, upskill, and facilitate career change—it’s a crucial tool for success.”

The message is clear: credentialing programs help empower employees and strengthen companies.

Among their many benefits to companies, credentialing programs elevate employee skill sets, boost productivity and engagement, and reduce employee turnover and recruiting costs. At the same time, job training programs and continued education can help employees develop individual skills, increase their marketability, and advance their careers. They also foster an employee’s sense of achievement while promoting greater leadership in and ownership of their roles.

The IEEE Credentialing Program: A Top Source of Continuing Education Credits 

Technical training programs give employees opportunities to enhance their career skills and demonstrate to current and potential employers a willingness to learn new skills. And for many engineers, completion of a certain number of professional development hours (PDHs) and continuing education units (CEUs) each year is also required in order to maintain their professional engineering license.

One way for companies to strengthen and elevate their in-house technical training is through alignment with the IEEE Credentialing Program. As the world’s largest technical professional home, IEEE represents the best and brightest minds in engineering today and offers credentialing in the relevant content that engineers need to stay ahead. In addition to supporting engineering professionals in achieving their career goals, the certificates and digital badges available through the IEEE Credentialing Program help companies enhance the credibility of their training events, conferences, and courses in an effort to increase employee attendance and engagement.

While professional development hours (PDHs) and continuing education units (CEUs) are often required in North America, other countries often accept IEEE certificates towards their own domestic requirements.

Overall, an IEEE credential is an assurance of quality education for employers and a source of pride for learners since they can share that their credentials have been verified by the world’s largest technical professional organization. By aligning with the IEEE Credentialing Program, you can easily add PDHs and CEUs to your continuing professional education offerings. Learn more about the IEEE Credentialing Program and discover how you and your company can benefit.

 

Resources

(26 March 2015). Why is Credentialing Important? Advance CTE.

Day, Ryan. (5 October 2017). 5 Reasons Why Certifications Are Helping Your Career (And Your Company’s Bottom Line). Skillsoft Global Knowledge.

Engholm, Ginny. (14 February 2022). How Certifications Can Help Grow Your Career. HRCI Learning Center.

(24 August 2016). Credentialing’s Two-Way Benefits. The Center for Association Leadership.

(24 October 2017). What Are Micro-Credentials and How Can They Benefit Both Business and Employees? DeakinCo.

(1 September 2021). 39 Statistics That Prove the Value of Employee Training. Lorman Education Services.

Duplin, Sophia. 10 Tips to Offer Continuing Education Credits to Your Workforce. BeaconLive.

Perna, Mark C. (25 July 2022). Workforce Credentials Are Going Digital. Here’s Why This Helps Everyone. Forbes.

Pino, Ivana. (24 May 2023). Experts Say That Earning Relevant Certifications Can Boost Your Salary by as Much as 20%. Here’s How You Can Boost Your Own Pay. Fortune.

English is the most spoken language in the world, with the number of speakers (native and non-native) totaling more than 1.4 billion in 2022. Over the years, English has become—for all intents and purposes—the language of science. International conferences are held in English, and the world’s top scientific journals are in English. In fact, 95% of all articles published in scientific journals in 2020 were written in English. 

Among many professionals, scientists, technologists, and business experts who belong to various cultural and linguistic backgrounds, English is how they communicate with a global audience. Without fluency in English, engineering students and professionals may find it difficult to understand the concepts being conveyed by international colleagues, struggle to publish as much as they would like, and even lag behind in career advancement.

Build on What You Know

Careful reading and writing are key skills for fields beyond the humanities. Communication skills play a significant role in STEM-based professions. According to John Kanjirakkat, a teacher of humanities in STEM institutions, “One cannot claim a meaningful understanding of a concept if they cannot write about it with clarity.” Every professional should be able to write what makes their work different or unique, especially in academic or trade journals.

Although several free and paid online tools are available, researchers should not rely on them too heavily. Developing your own writing abilities will be better in the long run. “If you are leaning very hard on these tools to choose the right words and the right grammar for you…then your work could be full of errors [of which] you aren’t even aware,” warns Tracy Volz, director of the engineering communications program at Rice University.

When reviewers criticize the writing in a manuscript, it is often because the writing is poorly organized. “That’s a problem that all writers can face whether English is their primary language or not,” according to Anna Clemens, an academic-writing coach based in Prague. Clemens encourages students to “try to articulate the key idea of their paper in a few short, well-worked-out English sentences. They can then reuse and build on that language as they write.” Your best bet, however, Clemens notes, is to find a community to help.

Get Support from the IEEE Community

The IEEE English for Technical Professionals course program is designed to provide speakers with a basic knowledge of English better understand the techniques, and vocabulary essential to the technical and engineering workplace.

The program includes:

• 18 hours of online instruction with lessons set in working engineering contexts
• Modules on reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills
• Short assessments and exercises throughout the program to help improve skills
• Final quiz/test at the end of each level
• Certificates are issued at the end of each lesson, as well as at the end of the full program

The skills and techniques covered in this course program benefits not only current working engineers and technical professionals, but also new graduates entering technical industries, university students studying engineering and other technical concepts, as well as Ph.D. students, research scholars, and individuals who want to improve their technical writing.

Connect with an IEEE Content Specialist today to learn more about how to offer this program within your organization.

Interested in the program for yourself? Visit the IEEE Learning Network.

Resources

Hernández Bonilla, Juan Miguel. (30 Jul 2021). How to end the hegemony of English in scientific research. El País. 

Kanjirakkat, Jobin. (10 August 2022). Why Teach the Humanities in STEM Institutions. LiveWire.

Katsnelson, Alla. (29 August 2022). Poor English skills? New AIs help researchers to write better. Nature. 

Kaufman, Anna. (23 August 2022). What is the most spoken language in the world 2022? Top 10 spoken languages, globally. USA Today.

Engineers spend much of their time learning technical skills. However, they may not be as invested in learning the communication and business knowledge needed to ascend to leadership positions. These skills are becoming especially important as digital transformation is forcing traditional workforces to evolve.

While technical certifications can certainly make an impressive addition to your resume, a mix of technical and non-technical certifications is even better. Consider these insightful tips from IT leaders on how to obtain and make the most of professional certifications. These tips were originally published in CIO (magazine).

Seven Tips to Help You Grow Professionally

1. Get certified in areas where your skills are lacking:
   Chief Information Officers (CIOs) at big technology organizations tend to have excellent IT skills. However, these skills are often paired with a lack in communication skills. CIOs from customer-facing business to business organizations often have the opposite problem. This is according to Saurabh Chandra, managing director at Boston Consulting Group. “These technology leaders need to get certified in areas that they lack. While CIOs push their team to get certified, they need to come out of their comfort zones and follow suit,” Chandra said.
2. Establish your own way of learning:
   Rather than going along with professional learning trends, you should establish a personalized list of certifications. Aim to finish these within 18 months, advises Puneesh Lamba, CIO of Shahi Exports, an apparel manufacturing company. “The courses should be shortlisted, keeping in mind both the individual’s interest and the organization’s need,” Lamba said.
3. Obtain certifications that expand knowledge of your industry:
   “If I have to remain in the insurance industry, I have to continuously build on my knowledge base,” said Mayank Bhargava, chief technology and data officer at Pramerica Life Insurance.
4. Make sure the certifications you are obtaining are meaningful:
   Look for certifications that will add real value to your skills, advises Sunil Mehta, senior vice president and area systems director for Central Asia at advertising agency WPP. “Getting certified after attending one to two hours of a local online course doesn’t add true value,” Mehta said.
5. Implement your knowledge:
   “At the end of the day, it is the content, faculty, and case studies of a course that cumulatively open the mind,” said Sourabh Chatterjee, president and head of technology, digital sales, and travel at Bajaj Allianz General Insurance. “Without implementing the knowledge thus acquired, a certification will only serve the purpose of self-gratification.”
6. Immerse yourself in projects as if you are a non-manager:
   Sourabh Chatterjee, president and head of technology, digital sales, and travel at Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, said he takes a hands-on approach to projects. This includes areas like coding, designing, process flow, testing, or architecture. “This not only helps me to put into practice what I learned in a certification course. It also enables me to stay relevant by getting insights into crucial aspects of a project, such as human behavior, technology, content, and motivation,” said Chatterjee.
7. Match your technical certifications with business certifications 50:50:
   “For every AI and data science certification, I also undertake a business certification. This helps in enhancing my behavioral and influencing skills. It enables me to build a business case for technology and aids me in transforming the IT department,” said Lamba.

As an engineer, growing your leadership skills is essential. Do you have the skills necessary to take on a leadership role and compete in a constantly evolving job market?

Show You Have What It Takes to Become a Leader

Whether you’re looking to grow within your current organization or find opportunities elsewhere, start preparing for your next move. Use continuing education courses specifically designed for engineers and other technical professionals.

IEEE Leading Technical Teams is a training program which recognizes the unique challenges that come with leading technical groups. It is designed for team leaders, managers, and directors of engineering and technology teams. Participants should have been in their role for a minimum of six months. The program equips technical leaders with tools to flourish, while unlocking their professional growth and success. Additionally, it inspires and motivates their teams to greater heights of innovation.

IEEE Leading Technical Teams consists of two components:

• A “360° Leadership Practices Inventory” (LPI), which solicits confidential feedback on both the leader’s areas of strength. It also identifies opportunities for improvement from their team members, peers, and managers/supervisors.
• A 6-hour, in-person training session, where attendees receive the results of their LPI. During the session, participants engage in targeted instructor-led exercises. They discuss case studies highlighting the unique challenges faced by technical leaders. They also learn solutions and best practices to apply to their specific situations. In addition, they are taught the “Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership” and receive valuable peer coaching.

Learn more about IEEE Leading Technical Teams and how you can enroll for a future session, with in-person and virtual options available. 

IEEE has partnered with Rutgers Business School to offer the IEEE | Rutgers Online Mini-MBA. Designed specifically for groups of ten or more within an organization, this program operates entirely online. It features topics including business strategy, managing product development, finance, negotiation, managing human capital, intellectual property strategy, and transformational agility.

To learn more about offering the IEEE | Rutgers Online Mini-MBA for your organization, in order to help your staff grow into leadership roles, contact an IEEE Account Manager today.

Resources

Singh, Yashvendra. (17 June 2022). 3 certification tips for IT leaders looking to get ahead. CIO.

Have you been stuck in the same technical profession for years? Whether you are looking for a job with more opportunities or desire to move into a completely new field, making the right moves and staying focused on your goals will be essential to landing your next gig. Here are seven steps you can take to get there.

Start by asking yourself what you want in your next career:

What do you like and dislike about your current role? Do you prefer to work in teams or independently? What are the skills and tasks you find most enjoyable? Create a list of these preferences to use as a reference while you look to make your career switch. 

Consider your personal values:

Perhaps you like your job, but the organization you work for conflicts with your values. Make a list of organizations whose values align with your own. You can typically find this information in a company’s mission statement. Once you’ve determined which organization’s values are in sync with yours, take a look at their job openings and see what opportunities are available that may interest you. 

Check out which industries are growing the most:

This research will give you valuable insight into what fields are providing the best opportunities. You can often find this information through government research— such as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections— or by researching career websites, which often contain salary data. 

Rebrand yourself as a professional:

Once you know the type of job you want and the kinds of organizations you wish to find employment, rebrand yourself in a way that aligns with your desired position. Be sure to revise your online career profile, business cards, resume, and social media profiles in a way that sends a message to potential employers that you are a good match for them. Your cover letters should also reflect this personal branding. 

Get more experience in your dream job:

A big obstacle people often face when trying to switch careers is not having enough experience in their desired field. To solve this problem, consider picking up related freelance and/or volunteer work. Not only is it a great addition to your resume, it will show prospective employers that you are serious about making a change. As another benefit, you may also increase your network by creating connections in the field. 

However, if the skills are sophisticated and require training outside freelance and volunteer work, consider obtaining a certification or even going back to school. 

Have a plan:

Your next step is to set goals and to be proactive in achieving them. Commit a certain amount of time each day to network, search jobs, and submit your resume. It’s also important to set a mix of both small and large goals. For example, you can make it a goal to submit two resumes a day or submit five per week. You could plan to attend at least one networking event each month or work towards building a more robust LinkedIn profile. Whatever you decide for your plan, be consistent.

Grow your professional network:

To land a job outside your current field, you need to grow your professional connections to include people in that industry. A few ways to do this include using your alumni network, attending local professional events, volunteering, and reaching out to professionals on social media who work in that field. See if they are willing to speak to you and offer you advice.

Switching careers is not easy for everyone. However, knowing what you want, having goals, and staying consistent can help you be much more successful in landing your next job. 

Build Your Knowledge Through Continuing Education

Jumpstart your career change through continuing education and professional development! Making a point to develop new skills can help show potential employees that you’re dedicated to improving within your current or future field of expertise.

Since its launch in 2019, the IEEE Learning Network (ILN) has provided continuing education to technical professionals from around the world. With hundreds of courses available across IEEE, ILN offers the latest in continuing education for engineers and technology professionals who want to advance professionally, refresh their skills, or stay up-to-date with the latest trends.

Explore the courses and start learning today on iln.ieee.org!

Resources

Indeed Editorial Team. (9 November 2021). How To Switch Careers: A Step-By-Step Guide. Indeed.com.

Adamczyk, Alicia. (22 September 2022).  If you want to change careers, start by finding your ‘why’. CNBC.

Liu, Joseph. (2 April 2019). How To Change Careers, According To 50 People Who Made A Pivot. Forbes.

A digital badge is a visual symbol that represents the development of a new skill that can be displayed, accessed, and verified online. Digital badges are becoming increasingly popular among professionals as a way to prove they have important skill sets, particularly among those working in technical fields.

“A digital badge is further proof someone has achieved a credential and maintained that credential,” Nader Qaimari, chief product officer at ISACA, told TechTarget.  

Digital badges come embedded with metadata that provide information beyond only skill sets, including date of completion and the awarding organization. They may also include whether the badge needs to be renewed and if that has been accomplished through additional training. 

Digital badges are becoming popular because of the benefits they provide for both workers and employers. For professionals, badges demonstrate proof of their skills and accomplishments, which they can display on their online professional profiles, in their email signatures, and on social media. 

“They allow people to more easily express that they’ve been certified to employers and to each other,” James Stanger, chief technology evangelist at CompTIA, an organization that awards digital badges for its certifications, told TechTarget.

Why Do Digital Badges Matter to Organizations and Employers?

A number of organizations now offer digital badge programs for their employees. IBM has developed a comprehensive digital badging program of ‘badge families’ associated with the attainment of knowledge and skills in analytics, cloud computing, mobile computing, enterprise design thinking and more. In 2020, the company said it awarded three million digital badges since 2015. Additionally, Cisco, Microsoft, Hewlett Packard, Oracle, and SAP have embraced the Mozilla Open Badges standard, a free software and open technical standard for any organization that wants to develop, issue and verify digital badges.

For employers who acknowledge digital badges, it improves operations by motivating workers to boost their knowledge and skills, and is a smart way to show the world that they employ skilled, qualified professionals. Digital badges help organizations build their brand and find new audiences across social media. They also allow HR departments to quickly spot qualified candidates online, reducing the amount of time it takes to recruit such candidates.

Earn Digital Badges with IEEE

An IEEE digital badge is a credential that indicates an accomplishment or skill that has been earned through completing certain IEEE course programs or attending certain IEEE events. These badges can be displayed and verified online.

How Do You Earn IEEE Digital Badges?

Individuals can take part in IEEE digital badging by completing any of the course programs listed below through the IEEE Learning Network (ILN). Please note that you must complete all courses in the program in order to earn a digital badge.

IEEE English for Technical Professionals
This course program provides an overview of machine learning in the age of big data, cloud computing, and data-saturation.

Automotive Cyber Security
This five-course course aims to foster the discussion on automotive cyber security solutions and requirements for not only intelligent vehicles, but also the infrastructure of intelligent transportation systems.

AI Standards
This five-course series is to provide instructions for a comprehensive approach to creating ethical and responsible digital ecosystems. 

Digital Transformation
This five-course program aimed to foster a discussion around how digital transformation can revolutionize various industries and provide the background knowledge needed to intelligently implement digital tools into organizations.

Machine Learning
This five-course provides an overview of machine learning in the age of big data, cloud computing, and our data-saturated society.

Bridging the 4G/5G Gap

Part One focuses on the historical overview of 4G/5G technology and how it has impacted society and residents of the United States. 

Part Two focuses on the scientific evidence surrounding wireless facilities’ impact on property value and human health – including addressing conspiracy theories. 

Individuals can also complete select IEEE Educational Activities virtual events to earn a badge:

Effective Remote Instruction Virtual Conference
This five-event series allows you to hear from faculty from across the globe as they share real-world examples and best practices in remote instruction. 

Engineering Education 2.0 Series
Engineering Education 2.0 is a four-part series that equips participants with skills to apply best practices and understanding from current STEM higher-education research literature.

Organizations can get institutional access through ILN to these courses for their employees. Contact an IEEE Account Specialist to learn more.

Managers promoted for their technical knowledge sometimes lack the soft skills vital for them to be effective leaders who inspire and foster commitment among their teams. With the right training, these managers can grow to become strong, well rounded leaders.

How Can You Become A Better Leader?

The difference between an effective leader and one who simply holds a management title is that an effective leader is self-reflective and proactively embraces opportunities for growth. According to executive coach Monique Valcour, there are three simple steps you can take to become a better leader.

1) Determine a new leadership skill you want to achieve:

Is there a particular problem you need to solve? Before looking for solutions, figure out how you can improve your performance as a leader to tackle the problem. This will require you to focus on yourself instead of what’s worrying you. To be an effective leader, you need to understand that you cannot “fix” people the same way you would fix a technical issue, and you need to learn to recognize how your own behavior and thinking affects those around you. When things go wrong, do you have a tendency to overreact or criticize others? If so, you could be contributing to the problem in ways you don’t realize. To avoid this, identify what is important to you about achieving your goals and why you want to achieve them. This can help motivate you to learn and grow self-reflectively as a leader.

2) Ask for feedback to improve your understanding of the problem, just as you would if you were attempting to solve a technical issue:

A great way to expand your understanding of a problem is to ask others for their feedback and perspectives. For instance, if you feel as though an employee is acting out or struggling, talk to them about the situation before jumping to conclusions. Understand that criticizing a team member or giving them a poor performance evaluation without understanding the situation from their perspective can be demoralizing and may cause them to mistrust you.

3) Once you’ve developed insight into the situation and how your own behavior may have played a role, take steps to effective change:

Just as leaders give feedback to their employees, they should also seek feedback from their teams about how they can improve their own leadership moving forward (what executive coach Marshall Goldsmith dubs “feedforward”). This process can help build communication, accountability, and trust between yourself and your team.

How Can Organizations Improve Leadership?

Organizations that do not take responsibility for ineffective leadership in their ranks often suffer from low employee morale and performance. Training programs can help new managers understand what actually represents good leadership, as well as what they need to do to become effective leaders. By creating opportunities for growth, organizations can create a culture of effective leadership that benefits everyone.

Develop Effective Leaders Within Your Organization

IEEE has partnered with Rutgers Business School to offer the IEEE | Rutgers Online Mini-MBA for Engineers. Ranked as one of the three best Mini-MBAs by Forbes, the IEEE | Rutgers Online Mini-MBA for Engineers helps corporate employees bridge the gap between business and engineering as they prepare for growth into leadership roles. The program operates entirely online and is designed specifically for groups of ten or more within an organization. It features topics, such as business strategy, managing product development, finance, negotiation, managing human capital, intellectual property strategy, and transformational agility.

Participants learn how to make organizational decisions with both technical and operational considerations. After developing an understanding of how different functional groups interact to achieve overall goals, they learn to apply their newly developed business skills to better align their technical capabilities with business strategy.

The program offers the option of a customized capstone project, completely aligned to the needs of your organization. As part of the project, participants receive feedback from program professors who have worked as engineering leaders themselves.

To learn more about the IEEE | Rutgers Online Mini-MBA for Engineers for your organization, contact an IEEE Account Manager today.

Resources

Valcour, Monique. (24 May 2021). Transform Your Technical Expertise into Leadership. Harvard Business Review.