Whether you join a student group, find a campus job or start volunteering, there are plenty of ways to build your resume and your skills in your time as an undergrad. But did you know that your UASU has several ways for you to earn microcredentials that can be valuable in your future career?
If you’re not sure what a microcredential is, here’s what you need to know. A microcredential is basically a certificate that you can earn through an accelerated program of direct relevance to your interests or career ambitions. Microcredentials are presented as digital badges, which makes them more readily viewable over the web to future employers as opposed to traditional paper transcripts.
Your UASU’s LEAD Centre has three programs that grant microcredentials:
Foundations Summit for Sustainability & Leadership (FSSL)
The Foundations Summit for Sustainability & Leadership (October 21) is planned by students, for students. It’s a one-day, nationwide leadership conference designed to help students cultivate leadership skills, foster a sense of community, and ignite action, all while incorporating sustainable concepts. Conference sessions are focused on all pillars of sustainability, as well as leadership fundamentals that can be applied to everyday life.
The FSSL 2023 theme is From Deliberation to Action which is mainly to motivate and equip students to act as change agents. By bringing together influential leaders, experts, and visionaries, FSSL seeks to create a platform to deliberate on pressing issues, exchange ideas, and ultimately drive real-world solutions. By attending the Summit, students will earn digital certificates that can be included on resumes, CVs, and LinkedIn.
Stride Campaign School
Gender representation in governance matters. The Stride Campaign School is a program aimed at encouraging more participation of marginalized genders from all backgrounds in student governance. Around 63% of UAlberta undergraduate students are women and gender minorities. In the past 10 years, women and gender minorities have only made up 48% of Students' Council and 40% of UASU Executives. While this is significant progress from the previous decade (about 30% of Council and 18% of Exec), there is more work to be done.
That’s why Stride is designed to equip participants with the knowledge, skills, and network to feel confident running for a variety of student government positions and making meaningful change on campus. This year’s Stride sessions are running from October 2023 through January 2024. Sign up here for the next available session!
Emerging Leaders Program (ELP)
The Emerging Leaders Program views leadership as a purposeful, collaborative, values-based process that results in positive social change. In this 3-day program, students engage in a series of workshops on topics such as collaboration, conflict resolution, self-discovery, change, and citizenship.
ELP typically runs every November and February during reading week. Apply now to join the upcoming Winter cohort (Feb 20-22, 2024)!
Looking for other ways to earn digital certificates for your resume? Check out these other microcredential programs through the UAlberta Faculty of Extension!