Career Training

Short-Term Credentials & Micro-Certifications: Are They Worth It in Today’s Job Market?

In 2025, the education and workforce landscape is changing rapidly. While traditional degrees remain valuable, short-term credentials—such as micro-certifications, digital badges, and industry-specific certificates—are gaining momentum as a way to upskill quickly, pivot careers, or boost job readiness. But are these credentials truly worth the investment? This article examines the current realities, opportunities, and risks for students, parents, and educators.

What Are Short-Term Credentials and Micro-Certifications?

Short-term credentials: Certificates, diplomas, or badges earned faster than traditional degrees, often through community colleges, bootcamps, or employer training.

Micro-certifications (microcredentials): Highly specific, skill-focused credentials (e.g., “AI Prompt Engineering,” “Cybersecurity Basics”). Often stackable, they can build toward larger credentials.

These alternatives are modular, relatively affordable, and quicker to complete—but their value depends on context.

The Current Job Market Outlook (2025)

Growing Employer Recognition

A 2025 Lumina Foundation report found that 96% of employers believe micro-credentials strengthen an applicant’s profile, and nearly 90% of students see them as necessary for job success (Lumina Foundation).

Similarly, InsideTrack’s 2025 survey reported that 80% of managers consider short-term credentials valid indicators of knowledge, with 71% saying they improve promotion prospects (InsideTrack).

Wage and Employment Gains: Mixed but Real

The Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) highlights that many short-term programs improve wages and career mobility for completers (ACCT).

However, the American Enterprise

Transfer Pathways in 2025-26: What Students at Community Colleges Need to Know to Get Into 4-Year Universities

Transferring from a community college to a four-year university continues to be one of the most economical and accessible routes to a bachelor’s degree. But in 2025-26, this process is evolving. New policies, shifting admissions thresholds, expanded articulation agreements, and equity reforms are reshaping what students, parents, and educators need to know. Below is a comprehensive guide to navigating transfer pathways in 2025-26—with data, examples, and expert commentary.

What’s Changed in 2025-26

Mental Health Resources for Community College Students in 2025

Community college students face many challenges—balancing coursework, jobs, family responsibilities, and often lacking the support and resources more common at four-year institutions. In 2025, mental health among community college students remains a pressing concern. This article reviews what we currently know about student mental health at community colleges, what resources are available, what gaps persist, and what colleges, students, and parents can do now to improve support.

Why Mental Health Matters in Community Colleges

• High prevalence, low help-seeking: More than one-third of community college students who likely have depressive or generalized anxiety disorders report never seeking help.

• Academic risk: A 2025 survey found that many community college students say mental health challenges have negatively impacted their schoolwork. For example, among students with depression or anxiety, over half reported it was likely that mental health issues would cause them to withdraw from classes or even from college altogether.

• Student parents are especially vulnerable: Roughly 18% of undergraduates are also parents; they experience higher rates of depression or anxiety, and are more likely to consider dropping out.

Given these realities, recognizing, investing in, and implementing robust mental health resources is critical to student success.

Types of Mental Health Resources Available

Here are the primary kinds of resources community college students can rely on in 2025:

Transfer Pathways in 2025-26: What Students at Community Colleges Need to Know to Get Into 4-Year Universities

Transferring from a community college to a four-year university remains a powerful route for many students. In 2025-26, enhanced policies, updated statistics, and new pathways are making this process more navigable—but also more nuanced. Parents, education professionals, and students need to understand what’s changed, what to expect, and how to plan for success.

Key Trends & What the Numbers Say

Transfer enrollment is rising again. In fall 2024, the number of students who transferred into a new institution grew 4.4% compared to fall 2023, according to the National Student Clearinghouse. Transfers represented 13.1% of all continuing and returning undergraduates—a modest uptick from previous years.

Equity gaps persist but show improvement. Black and Hispanic students saw increases in transfer enrollment—+8.3% and +4.4% respectively—in recent years. Meanwhile, White student transfer numbers have declined slightly (Inside Higher Ed).

Bachelor’s completion after transfer remains a challenge. Only about 31.6% of students who began at a community college in 2015 transferred into a four-year university within six years. Even among those who do transfer, earning the bachelor’s degree in a timely fashion (within six years) or having all their credits count is often harder (Community College Research Center).

What’s New in Policies & Programs for 2025-26

Several updates are reshaping the transfer landscape:

• Structured Transfer

Unlocking Airport Career Opportunities: Your Guide to Ground Jobs

As a classical musician, teacher, and writer, I've always been fascinated by the intricate symphony of airport activity. Indeed, as I write this, I have the live cam at Midway Airport in Chicago streaming dozens of Boeing 737s in Southwest Airlines fleet being deiced. Also, there's a team of runway sweepers called "brooms" sweeping the snow off the active runway and taxiways and planes taking off and landing. Yes, I am an unabashed Av Geek!

In any case, I want to highlight some of the jobs essential to the smooth operation of the more than 5100 airports with commercial airline service in the U.S.A. It's not just the planes that keep things moving; the hardworking individuals on the ground ensure everything runs smoothly. As you can see from the list below, there is a job at an airport for anyone with any background, experience, and training. If you've been laid off or are just starting your career, check out what your local airport offers.

From the moment you step into the airport until your plane takes off, countless professionals work behind the scenes to make your journey possible.

• These unsung heroes include check-in agents who greet you with a smile (and lightning-fast keyboard skills).
• These baggage handlers ensure your luggage reaches your destination, and aircraft mechanics keep those metal birds in top shape.
• Let's not forget the air traffic controllers orchestrating a complex aerial