Stackable credentials serve as ‘résumé builders’ for Wallace State Community College’s technical division students

HANCEVILLE, ALA. –  As she approaches completion of an Associate in Applied Science degree in engineering technology, Wallace State student Kayla Evans looks at her résumé and is proud of the certificates and degree electives she has already earned.
“I think it makes it more worthwhile to know you are graduating with all of these credentials instead of just one degree. It makes your résumé fill up. My résumé looks good. It actually looks great. If not for being in this program, it wouldn’t look as good,” said Evans, a J.B. Pennington High graduate.
Many of Wallace State’s technical programs have worked to implement stackable credentials or short-term certificates into their programs, providing students the opportunity to pursue and complete particular milestones as they progress on their academic journey.
“Stackable credentials are multiple entrance and exit points in a person’s career pathway. The more credentials a student can get, the more employable they become,” said Jimmy Hodges, Wallace State’s Dean of Applied Technologies. “Our welding department previously offered only a certificate and associate’s degree. We now have multiple short certificates that students can stack upon each other. They can earn a certificate and potentially get a job with those skills or can stay enrolled and earn more. Stackable credentials allow students to celebrate their accomplishments along the way.”
Since enrolling in the engineering technology in 2014, Evans has collected stackable short-term credentials in architectural engineering, mechanical/civil engineering, building construction, civil/ mechanical science, basic AutoCAD, 3D Graphic Design and advanced designs.
Evans is set to graduate in May with an associate degree in engineering technology with elective degree hours completed in mechanical/civil engineering, building construction management and architecture.
“If your goal is to get an engineering technology degree, chances are you are earning a short certificate every semester. It’s worth every second you’re in the classroom,” Evans said.
According to the American Association of Community Colleges, from 2000 to 2014, the number of certificates awarded by community colleges grew by 150 percent, compared with a 59-percent jump in associate’s degrees and a 47-percent increase in bachelor’s degrees as college emphasize employability.
In November 2015, the Chronicle of Higher Education suggested the growth of certificates earned was by students moving at their own educational pace by taking advantage of available stackable credentials. Achieving credentials within the course of the associate degree is designed to cost the student neither additional time nor additional money.
Wallace State instructor Jim Thompson believes students become encouraged to complete an associate’s degree in welding in his program by knocking out certificates or stackable credentials along the way.
“The stackable credentials in our program are definitely great résumé builders for our students, and it provides a great source of motivation to keep piling on credentials,” Thompson said. “In reality, we still have students who go directly to the workplace once they earn particular certificates, but many of our students have made it a goal to build their portfolio with as many credentials as possible.”
Wallace State welding students can earn stackable credentials in the following areas: shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) fillet welding and cutting processes, gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) structural plate; gas metal arc welding (GMAW)/FCAW structural/pipe welding, shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) structural plate, SMAW filet and groove welding; SMAW structural/pipe welding, GTAW structural/pip welding/pipe fitting, GMAW/FCAW structural plate and GTAW orbital pipe welding.
“The short-term certificates provide great fundamentals for potential welders and lead them to the more advanced skills. Those fundamentals lead to the end result, which we hope is an associate’s degree in the program. Tackling the fundamentals is important just like mastering a certain drill in football practice is important before you get to the game,” Thompson said.
Trent Key, 21, has benefitted from completing the stackable credentials in the welding department.
“I came into this program not having any technical background whatsoever. I was originally planning to come to Wallace State and complete my basics. I looked into welding though and it piqued my interest. Once I enrolled, Jim Thompson explained how valuable it would be to earn the extra certificates as I worked towards a degree,” said Key, a 2013 Cullman graduate. “The certificates have been a great résumé builder. I believe they’ll help me tremendously when I go to look for a job. I might also enroll in another major like industrial electronics or diesel mechanics to stack upon the welding credentials I have.”
Each spring, Career and Technical Education Month is celebrated by the Alabama Community College System. Last year, nearly 46,000 students were enrolled in career and technical education programs throughout the ACCS and its colleges. Additionally, more than 10,500 career technical degrees and certificates were awarded.
Wallace State’s Applied Technologies Division consists of 13 different programs and many feature multiple stackable credentials within their curriculums, aiding to the number of degrees and certificates awarded to students across the system.
Along with Engineering Technology and Welding, Wallace State’s Electronics Technology, Machine Tool Technology and Diesel Technology are among the programs offering a variety of stackable credentials.
Alex Hale, a Vinemont graduate, is also approaching graduation from the engineering technology program with many credentials under his belt.
“It’s exciting to know I’ve been able to accomplish all of these steps. I think you come in here expecting to earn one degree, so it’s rewarding when you learn all of the options available to you,” Hale said. “(Instructors) Todd Hardman and Kristi Bain do a great job of laying out all of the credentials you can attain.”
Hardman enjoys seeing students like Hale and Evans achieve milestones each semester.
“I like where our program is and what we are offering. These stackable credentials create success stories early on and allow the student to feel a sense of accomplishment,” Hardman said. “We take pride in making sure the students know the credentials available to them as they pursue a degree.”
Added Hodges: “We hope to add even more stackable credentials in order to give our students more goals to conquer. We hope accomplishing one step inspires them to complete another.”
For more information about Wallace State, visit wallacestate.edu.

 

Pictures:
Wallace State Engineering Technology students Kayla Evans, left, and Alex Hale have both benefitted from achieving stackable credentials in the program.
 
###
______________________________
 
Russell Moore
Staff Writer
Wallace State Community College
P.O. Box 2000, Hanceville, AL 35077
1-866-350-9722    256-352-8443 direct
Visit us online at www.wallacestate.edu
 
Kristen Holmes
Communications & Marketing Director, and
Administrator, The Evelyn Burrow Museum
Wallace State Community College
801 Main Street NW | Hanceville, AL 35077
E-mail: kristen.holmes@wallacestate.edu
Office: 256.352.8118 | Cell: 256.339.2519 | Toll Free: 866.350.9722