When utilizing Rise 360, it notes numerous times around Storyline 360, as though it is within the cloud.
The fact of the matter is, it is not.
Storyline 360 is a desktop application.
I believe this is part of the challenge because of how it is presented online in marketing (especially with the trial).
However, as noted in part one of the Rise 360 review, the main dashboard of Articulate 360 mentions it at the very bottom of the right-hand side of the screen: “Looking for Storyline 360.”
I am unsure why it is listed so far down on the screen, requiring someone to go that far down.
It would make more sense for it to be above the Articulate 360 Training section, with the first or second training piece covering Storyline 360.
When you click “Download Desktop App” you will see the following
Rise 360
Scenarios
While I am not a big fan of using text as the scenario angle, I did like the following for the scenario based on the Sexual Harassment course.
The scenario was the exact one, okay, nearly the exact one that came with the template.
I made only minor changes – male to female, different pose, and one text change.
The Pluses
I like how you can change the character’s pose.
Ditto on their mood
Honestly, the dialogue versus text option was the same thing to me, but a positive for the option.
Speaking of options, there were quite a few of them, including the ability to use their content library, AI image generator, and upload your own, to name just three.
The ability to edit the character and the background was a win, too.
The Character options
This is just a short list of the characters; there was much more.
While I understand that no one will be enthralled with my suggestion below, I understand.
Nevertheless, I would have liked to see under Gender an option for Non-Binary.
Age
If I am in retail, I may have folks in the 16 to 19 range, especially those doing this as a summer, part-time, or full-time job.
AI in Articulate
Nowhere in Rise 360 (I didn’t test all of Articulate 360, but I suspect it isn’t there either) is there a statement that AI may produce fake or false information.
Anyone who has read any of my posts, whether on my blog or my threads, needs a crucial bit of information.
While very few vendors provide such information, a vendor who has an authoring tool should, IMO, have it.
This is why I asked a question using the AI in Rise 360, a question about fake or false information, and why Articulate didn’t have it.
The following day, I returned to my inquiry and asked once again whether Articulate should provide a statement that AI may create fake or false information.
The goal in presenting this information is to recognize that a vendor, regardless of their perspective, should list somewhere that a content creator can see a statement that using AI may create fake or false information.
When a vendor fails to do this, they are saying that it is your responsibility, and thus, if you push out this content, it isn’t theirs—i.e., Articulate.
Bottom Line
As an authoring tool (content creator), it does what it says it does up to a point.
I disagree with the premise that it doesn’t require a deep learning curve.
The curve is dependent on what you are trying to achieve.
There is no doubt that if you want a quick and publish, Rise 360 will achieve that.
However, the biggest complaint end-users often cite as a minus with your learning system is the content.
Even if they fail to mention the system, the content is still king.
Just something to remember when using Rise 360.
You may be new to creating content, in which case, watch the tutorials and read the insight provided by Articulate and its community.
Then again, you may not wish or want to.
After all, if the goal is to jump in, get going, and push quickly.
Learning to code so that you can land a job in tech can feel daunting. That’s why we’re sharing inspiring stories from Codecademy’s community — to show how people like you (yes, you!) can embark on a learning journey and end up with a totally new career. We hope these stories serve as a reminder that there’s no single path to a more fulfilling work life.
Today’s story is from Jovanay Carter, a 28-year-old former tech recruiter turned Dev Difference co-founder living in Chicago, IL. Read more stories from Codecademy learners here — and be sure to share your story here.
Why I chose to learn to code
“I studied anthropology in college. I really like studying people and culture. I got into recruiting after because that was a direct application of what I had learned. But I had a lot of friends who were in tech. They were in either engineering or product at Microsoft and Google, and I just really admired them. I took one coding class in college and I enjoyed it. It was an interactive design class. I wish I had taken more classes like that.
When I was thinking about my career choices, I thought about the fact that I really enjoyed that coding class in college. ‘Why don’t I just try to figure out how to code?’ So, I started learning how to code on Codecademy. The first course I took was Intro to JavaScript.
My initial thought before I even became a recruiter in tech was, ‘I’m going to go to a bootcamp and learn how to code and be a Software Engineer.’ Simple as that. My career as a tech recruiter helped me learn more about the field and solidified my interest in learning to code. I even did a brief stint as a tech recruiter at Codecademy!”
Learn something new for free
How I made time to learn
“I think finding time to do projects is an easier mindset than finding time to learn. You may complete a course but realize you still don’t feel confident in it. I started shifting my mindset from ‘I want to go through another course’ to ‘let me build something and see how it goes’. ‘Let’s see if I can build something from scratch.’
I worked on small projects and also relied on friends, who are now my co-founders, to hold office hours with me once every two weeks. This helped to hold me accountable, and I practiced coding with them.”
How I saved up money to switch careers
“I ended up getting laid off from a tech recruiting gig so I was fortunate to receive a severance. I used that money to go to grad school. I’m now working on getting my Master’s in computer science at The University of Chicago, although I’m learning that I may like UI/UX more than coding.”
How I put my skills to use
“As a tech recruiter, I saw many cases where people were right on the edge, but they didn’t get the job just because they needed more preparation for their interview and to communicate their value a bit better. I saw a real opportunity to use AI to help candidates better articulate themselves and practice for interviews.
I think it was something like 56% of students who come out of undergrad are not in a job in their major, and it basically increases their chances of being underemployed for the next 10 years of their life. I wanted to create something that would hopefully help them be better prepared for interviews, communicate themselves better, and be more confident in themselves.
I brought this idea to a pitch competition, and it got a lot of traction. We won the competition, and I was like ‘Wow, this could be real!’ From there, the Dev Difference was born, a startup I co-founded with my two brilliant friends, Moyosore Okeremi and Jolene Bernagene.”
“I wish I knew that there were so many different things you could do in tech — you don’t have to be a coder. I really wanted the lifestyle of being in tech, but I was like, I must learn data structures and algorithms in order to do that.
And I wish I would have like been like, ‘OK, I love designing. Maybe there’s something there,’ and honed in on that skill earlier, as opposed to just dragging myself through these very hard courses to feel like a confident coder. Because I did that just to come right back to the fact that I enjoy design.
There’s so much more than just being a software engineer.”
Not sure where to start? Check out our personality quiz! We’ll help you find the best programming language to learn based on your strengths and interests.
Want to share your Codecademy learner story? Drop us a line here. And don’t forget to join the discussions in our community.
The University of Huddersfield today announced the launch of its first fully online undergraduate degree on Coursera. The BSc(Hons) in Data Science is designed to equip learners worldwide with the technical, analytical and mathematical skills needed to succeed in today’s data-driven economy.
The degree, which offers flexible full- and part-time study options, is aimed at both aspiring data analysts and those already in the workforce looking to formalise or expand their skills. Delivered entirely online by Huddersfield’s award-winning faculty, the programme combines applied mathematics, statistical theory and real-world technical skills with cutting-edge tools including Python, SQL and AI model development.
The launch comes at a time of significant global demand for data expertise. According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, roles for Big Data Specialists are expected to be the fastest growing job category between 2025 and 2030, driven largely by the rapid advancement and adoption of artificial intelligence. This degree prepares students to step directly into these high-growth fields, equipped with both the theoretical foundation and practical experience sought by employers.
In keeping with both institutions’ mission to expand access to high-quality education, the BSc Data Science offers a performance-based admissions route. Applicants without traditional qualifications but who demonstrate capability through prior experience or independent study can earn admission by successfully completing the first 60 credits of the programme.
“The demand for skilled data professionals has never been greater, and we’re proud to partner with the University of Huddersfield to meet this need,” said Marni Baker Stein, Chief Content Officer at Coursera. “This new online Bachelor’s degree equips learners with the critical data science and AI skills employers are looking for. With flexible study options and a performance-based admissions pathway, learners can gain job-ready skills without putting their lives or careers on hold.”
Recently named as the UK’s most improved university by QS World Rankings 2025, the University of Huddersfield is now ranked inside the top 50 within the UK. The recognition reflects its ongoing investment in teaching excellence, research, and student success – both on campus and online.
“Expanding our online offer to undergraduates with the introduction of our first online-only Bachelor’s degree is a significant step forward for Distance Learning at the University of Huddersfield,” said Sean Pryor, Head of Distance Learning at the University of Huddersfield. “We continue to understand the need for a flexible approach to learning and all our bespoke Distance Learning courses have been designed with this in mind, allowing students to work towards a degree while balancing other commitments and overcoming geographical barriers. I am particularly pleased that we are continuing our collaboration with Coursera as we have an ongoing shared vision to provide high-quality online learning.”
Coursera continues to expand its degree portfolio, which includes more than 50 degrees from 29 of the world’s best universities, and currently serves more than 26,000 students. Coursera has over 170 million registered learners worldwide and around 4.5 million of them are located in the UK. Prospective students can now register their interest for the first cohort starting October 2025, with applications due to open in May. Learn more at: https://www.coursera.org/degrees/bsc-data-science-huddersfield
This is due to its popularity and the number of clients whose level of loyalty and belief that it is the best boarders in fandom.
That’s fine.
There are levels of loyalty with buyers of Lectora and ditto with Adobe Captivate.
However, that legion of supporters does not achieve the level of fandom by any standard as Articulate’s users.
For this product review, I focused specifically on what Articulate’s AI tool says about people who wish to use Rise instead of Storyline.
“Articulate Rise is ideal for creating responsive, visually appealing courses quickly, especially when the content is straightforward and requires minimal customization.”
And a latter point, “minimal effort.”
Thus, ease of use – quickly pushing it out, seems to be the message here. Because intricate immersive, let alone what I see as a stronger engagement – and therefore engaging for your learners, is via Storyline.
From my own experience with Rise, I did not come away with any level of engagement that screamed, this is fun and I can learn too.”
This Product Review is broken into two parts.
Part one starts at the beginning, from the dashboard to editing a course, starting with the AI block and specifically using the prompt window.
Part two (posted tomorrow on 5-7) covers the scenarios, characters, and loose ends from the window.
Including Articulate’s own AI tool saying one thing and then contradicting itself a short time later.
I will explain why this is relevant. It is due to how Articulate sees its role in folks creating content with Articulate’s AI offering (it is from OpenAI – the LLM).
Rise 360
This is the content creator piece of the Articulate 360 offering.
Key items to Remember
Articulate are not the new kids on the block. They have been around for a long, long, long time.
Why is this relevant?
They know that micro-learning isn’t a new concept – it’s been around for a long time
That micro-learning only means short; it doesn’t mean good or better
You can create a course that is short, and thus, in reality, there isn’t any difference between a course and, say, one that is noted as micro-learning.
If, for argument’s sake, Articulate has no idea on the above, then they shouldn’t be selling any type of authoring tool.
However, that Studio product back in the day followed a similar premise of Rise, build it quickly, without any instructional design knowledge, fast and easy.
The easy part though with Rise isn’t a clear – even its AI in the product says the same thing, contradicting itself along the way.
The Home Screen
This gets slightly confusing, at least the first time around.
The dashboard, which notes Rise 360, below Articulate 360.
To see the Rise, you have to click on Rise 360 (there are other options including Review 360).
The initial dashboard, “Articulate 360,” shows that if someone is looking for Storyline360, they need to download the app.
However, the initial confusion comes from the standpoint that on one side, there are training materials that cover the gambit, not just Rise, yet on the below of Articulate 360, there is mention and focus around Rise.
I like tutorials and training, but it would make more sense to have them on the Rise 360 screen, or you could only show tutorials/training for Rise on the Articulate dashboard because Rise is right below it and has a big relevance.
On the main dashboard screen, you will see the words
To the right of it, you can also create new.
Templates mean templates which is a placeholder whereas you can create your content within the placeholder; whereas real content means there is content already pre-populated in the course or micro-learning, which you can still edit and tweak to however you wish to do so.
I never could figure out how it is decided what is “featured.” Is this based on what Articulate sees as featured content under the “All types?”
Maybe it is because it would be all real content, but in the above (which appears in the trial), it is not all “real content.”
However, you can see only courses that have real content OR are templates only—there is an option to do so under “All Types,” and it will show Featured and Popular.
Popular, you say?
Yep, Rise presents a channel for popular real content/templates under “All Types” or “Real Content” or “Templates.”
Is it popularity based on the collective of every client on the platform or based only on your organization?
Since this is a trial, it wasn’t clear.
I recommend that you ask before you purchase if that is something of importance to you—honestly, it should.
The “Featured” and “Popular” channels do not appear if you choose a specific subject.
For example, I selected “Compliance.”
When you hover over any course template or “real content,” even micro-learning, you will see options to select or preview it.
I went “Select” for the ADA Compliance for Managers.
The next screen will present the following text (the ADA Compliance for this one or something blah blah for another one, you pick), followed by some additional text.
Then below that you see your introduction.
You can move the lessons up or down in any order as you see fit.
Next to “Edit Content” is the infamous ellipse ……
The options there are Change Icon, Duplicate, Copy to Another Course, Delete
I went with “Edit Content”
And here is the crux of “Choose Template” option rather than “Real Content”.
In the template, you are provided with a foundation, and then you can add your own stuff.
Equally, with “Real Content” you can add or remove blocks (sections), add images/videos within the blocks, and so forth.
The “Real Content” is actual content that is pre-populated.
You can still edit it, add whatever you choose to add – think a WYSIWYG Toolbox along with the “options” choices you can choose.
Regardless if you go “Real Content” or “Choose Course Template” you will see the same options on the left -hand side of the screen.
Pencil—Content—This will show that specific area on the left side of the screen. It seemed redundant to me since I can see it on my main screen and edit it there anyway.
The painter palette – Style. Out of all the options in this toolbox, this one irritated me. When you have a button that is another color, you can’t change the color of said button with the palette, and why is it a Paint Palette? Besides me changing the color palette, which isn’t as exciting as one might think, I could see it being useful if it did more than what it shows.
I forgot about the geometric thing in school—Yep, it’s here! Style. It’s useful and makes sense, but could it have gone into the big toolbox instead?
AI logo – It’s AI
Knowing the premise of AI and assuming many people will buy this product because they want it. After all, you can populate content, update, tweak, etc., with it—this is how I went with the entire course-building episode for Rise 360.
In my test, I used “Real Content” for “Sexual Harassment Prevention Training”.
With the course I selected, I edited some of the real content by intentionally misspelling words and adding some of my own text to the “real content” text.
Ignore the red and blue underlining, that is from my grammar tool.
I was on a time crunch, and thus decided to hit the AI option
Once I clicked the AI block tool, I could either edit with AI or instantly convert the text to any of the following choices
I decided to edit the text
Again, intentionally misspelling a few of the words, I ignored the suggestions and decided to type into the prompt the following:
Yep, it did it!
I reviewed it before, just choosing “Replace block” which replaced the introduction copy with the new Approach as the introduction.
I wanted to do a bit more, so I added the following prompt: “Change tone to snippy and arrogant”.
Tada!
I immediately replaced what I had in the section with this new block.
If you choose not to replace the current block listed in the course, no worries—you can insert it below.
If you decide to replace the block with your next one, you can move it down, duplicate it, or delete it.
Those options appear on the right side of the screen at any given time—except in the edit AI block, which I went into with the prompts.
Bottom Line
In the past, I’ve written one massive size review covering the entire solution.
It gets quite long, and some people might start to hit the sleepy eyes’ syndrome.
Thus, part two will be published tomorrow (5-7).
On and upward or sideways or byways or any way you choose.
When New Jersey native Matthew Daiter enrolled in the University of Colorado Boulder’s online MS in Electrical Engineering program, he already had nearly a decade of real-world experience behind him. No undergraduate degree. No traditional academic trajectory. Just a “funky educational path,” a can-do attitude, and a career spent building and breaking boundaries in hardware startups.
Now based in Hong Kong, Matt’s story is anything but conventional—but an inspirational one to read.
Skipping College, Joining the Workforce
“I didn’t go to undergrad for college,” Matt says. “I started working right after high school.” That decision kicked off a whirlwind four-year journey: two startups, lots of hands-on learning, and seemingly no real need for a path back into education. Then, upon trying to return to an undergrad program for a semester in his early-mid 20s, he quickly realized it wasn’t the right fit.
“Most undergrad programs are rigid, structured four-year experiences,” he explains. “I wanted to see—is there a path that reflects my past experience, with the ability to start going to school again, without it being repeat material or time churning?”
Enter: CU Boulder’s Performance-Based Admissions
Matt found his answer in Boulder’s online MSEE, which offers performance-based admissions (PBA)—a system that lets learners prove their readiness through initial coursework, not prior transcripts.
“It helps to have a program that allows you to prove yourself to get in,” he says. “The flexibility Boulder offered—allowing you to skip through based on performance or merit—really helped out.”
For someone like Matt, who had already been consulting, contracting, and building real products, the traditional gatekeeping of academia just didn’t make sense. He needed something built for doers.
Why Go Back to School at All?
“You can self-teach up to a certain point,” Matt says. “But I was hitting boundaries. I wanted to lean into product development and physical product development—and I was capping out at what I could independently produce.”
Despite speaking at conferences and advising startups, he found that not having a formal degree held him back, especially internationally. “Visa problems. Not being taken seriously by the government. If you only have a high school degree, they expect you to produce at a certain (lower) level.”
Earning his master’s was about gaining validity, expanding his options, and finally diving into topics he’d been itching to explore, like microelectronics, signal systems, and power systems—he semi-jokes, “the ability to plug in any device to the wall and not blow a fuse.”
What Online Learning Is Really Like
Matt doesn’t sugarcoat his experience: Boulder’s online program isn’t for everyone.
“This shouldn’t be for everyone,” he says. “If you want to learn how to swim, you can either find a pool, take online courses and teach yourself. Or you can pay to show up at a pool and have an instructor hold your hand. Both are valid—but they’re different personality types.” For Matt, Boulder’s online learning experience was more like the former, having him really maintain a deep interest and a self-starter mentality.
In being a part of the first cohort for this program, he recalls frustrating moments—finals with incorrect answers, the isolation of never physically meeting classmates, and the occasional “Reddit-plus” chaos of discussion forums and Slack threads. But the tradeoff was worth it: total flexibility.
“With Boulder, if you want to speedrun, you can. Getting to the end of these course markers almost felt like a game.”
He completed the degree between October 2019 and December 2020, and feels proud of finally making the firm decision to jump back into schooling. “I wasn’t great at taking time off to round myself out, and school was a great guise for this. Even though I wasn’t working, I still felt like I was progressing.”
Advice for Future Learners: Just Start
Matt’s biggest advice? Don’t wait for the perfect time.
“Just start,” he says. “It’s way harder to let it bubble over and find the right moment to dip in. I remember feeling that way for two years before actually going back.”
“Optionality” was a trap, he adds: “Keeping a door open shuts other doors down the road. Just make the call and decide whether you want to do this thing or not.”
Rewriting What Education Means
Now, with a formal master’s degree in hand and years of startup experience behind him, Matt is continuing to do contract and advisory work for startups across the globe—and eyeing his next move.
“I was so worked up over how to conceptualize an education and what that was supposed to mean,” he says. “But you just have to jump in and start swimming.”
By Marni Baker Stein, Chief Content Officer, Coursera
Every learning journey begins with a great teacher. On National Teacher’s Appreciation Day, we celebrate the educators who are inspiring, shaping, and empowering learners in a rapidly changing world.
This belief in the power of learning led two educators, Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller, to found Coursera in 2012. Today, as AI reshapes the workforce, teachers remain indispensable, helping learners stay ahead of the curve and ready to lead with purpose.
This year alone, instructors from universities and companies around the world have helped over 7.5 million learners gain new skills and credentials to unlock career opportunities. One course alone has already reached learners in 120 countries — a testament to the global impact of teaching on Coursera.
Teachers leading the way
Top instructors like Barbara Oakley (Oakland University), Laurie Santos(Yale), and JulesWhite (Vanderbilt) are behind transformative courses that have reached millions of learners — and they continue to grow their catalogs.
“What’s most rewarding is knowing that my course is helping people unlock new possibilities in their lives,” says Oakley. White adds, “The scale of impact that’s possible on Coursera is unlike anything I’ve seen in traditional education.”
We’re proud to work with over 6,700 instructors who are expanding access to education — from top professors to industry experts and first-time educators. Instructors come from every corner of the world, reflecting our mission to build a more inclusive, equitable learning ecosystem.
Tools to help educators teach—and lead—in the AI era
To help teachers prepare students for the age of AI, Coursera offers a range of courses designed specifically for educators. Explore:
These courses help educators understand the evolving landscape of technology, while equipping them with skills to create dynamic, engaging, and future-ready classrooms.
Beyond content, Coursera’s platform gives teachers tools to build and scale effective learning experiences:
Dialogue: Educators can embed interactive, AI-powered conversations in their lessons to help learners think critically and get real-time feedback.
Course Builder: This powerful tool enables instructors to rapidly create, personalize, and adapt content at scale, which is especially useful in keeping pace with fast-evolving skill needs.
Educators like Vic Strecher(University of Michigan), who was an early adopter of Dialogue, are redefining what’s possible in online education. With learners from every continent, Jules uses tools like Coach to deliver high-quality, job-relevant content that meets students where they are.
From helping someone learn their first programming language to preparing a mid-career professional for a new role in AI, educators shape the future. Whether teaching in a classroom or online, in a university or a company, their impact reaches far beyond their students.
To all the educators building a more skilled, adaptable, and equitable world: thank you.
Ever wish you could hold a piece of the cosmos in your hand? Well, almost! Grab this FREE wallpaper package and bring the breathtaking beauty of a nebula right to your fingertips. Imagine those captivating cosmic swirls and radiant colors lighting up your phone, tablet, and computer screens. It’s like having your own personal window to the universe.
Your May Free Wallpaper Package Includes:
Standard Wallpaper: Admire the winter wonderland in its purest form.
Calendar Wallpaper: Stay organized and inspired throughout the month.
Quote Wallpaper: Find daily motivation with a thoughtful message.
Available in multiple sizes to fit your phone, tablet, and desktop. As an added bonus, I’ve included a social media-ready image featuring graphics from this month’s wallpaper and quote.
Sky’s the Limit
This isn’t just a pretty wallpaper, it’s like a little daily high-five for your dreams! With that awesome nebula looking all cosmic and cool in the background, you’ll also see “Reach for the stars.” Think of it as a gentle nudge every time you unlock your phone – a little reminder that you’ve got this and the sky’s the limit.
reach for the stars
P.S. This image is included as a larger file in the download package below! Feel free to post it on your Instagram or Facebook.
With the free download, you get three different desktop options: one with a calendar, a plain one (without any text), and another with a quote. Additionally, there’s a wallpaper available for tablets and three phone options. You’ll also find a social media-ready size that features this month’s quote.
Free May 2025 Wallpaper download includes the following:
Desktop wallpaper x3 (plain, with the calendar, and with a quote)
Phone wallpaper x3 (plain, with the calendar and with a quote)
Tablet wallpaper
Instagram/Facebook ready quote
FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY.
NOTE: This wallpaper is available as a free download through May 31, 2025 only. After that, a $5 download fee applies.
Looking for more?
Browse all wallpapers from this series.
Loving your new wallpaper! It really sets the tone, right?
Speaking of setting the tone, have you considered giving your website or blog a makeover too? A visually appealing design can grab attention and keep visitors engaged, just like a killer wallpaper. Check the designs below and find the perfect fit to elevate your online presence!
Blogger templates
WordPress Themes
Your voice matters!
If you have your favorite quotes or lyrics and would like them to appear on the next free wallpaper, make sure to post them in the comments below or send us your ideas via email.
For those of us in the northern hemisphere, summer* is coming! Whether you have two weeks or almost two months left in your academic year, the warmer weather and growing plants are a regular reminder that we’re getting closer every day to our summer break. Summer break is often fun for kids and can give educators a much needed break to decompress (or prepare for next year…) but can also spark fears about learning loss. In this digest, we present some resources explaining summer learning loss and the data, and resources to give parents and teachers ideas for how to combat summer learning loss while still having summer fun.
*As an academic, and especially becuase I’m in higher education, my concepts of “fall,” “spring,” and “summer” are a bit skewed. For me, fall starts in August, spring in January, and summer in May. This often causes confusion when I say things to my extended family, like “spring is about to start!” and it’s mid January. But anyway, I digress.
By Marni Baker Stein, Chief Content Officer, Coursera
I’m excited to share Coursera’sMicro-Credentials Impact Report 2025, which brings together perspectives from over 2,000 students and employers across six regions to better understand the rising demand for micro-credentials and their real-world impact. The global survey found that 90% of employers are now willing to offer higher starting salaries—often 10–15% more—for candidates with micro-credentials, and 87% of employers have hired at least one micro-credential holder in the past year.
Recent WEF research indicates that employers perceive skills gaps as the primary barrier to business transformation. Meanwhile, students are increasingly concerned about whether a traditional degree will equip them with the skills they need to land a job in a competitive labor market. Micro-credentials have emerged as a solution: preparing graduates for the modern workplace, and giving employers assurance that entry-level hires actually have the skills required.
The new report offers the strongest evidence yet that employers and students worldwide are receiving tangible returns from these credentials. We find that:
Learners who earn micro-credentials get hired. Once hired, these employees earn raises and promotions, and perform better in their roles.
85% of employers are more likely to hire a candidate who has a micro-credential compared to one without; 96% say that earning a micro-credential improves a candidate’s application
Entry-level employees with micro-credentials report tangible career benefits: 28% received a pay increase and 21% were promoted after earning a micro-credential
70% say their productivity increased after earning a micro-credential, and over 60% (63%) developed better problem-solving skills
71% of entry-level employees feel uneasy about their industry’s pace of change, but 83% said micro-credentials give them the confidence to adapt to new roles
91% say that employees with micro-credentials demonstrate higher proficiency in essential, industry-relevant skills
9 in 10 employers are now using micro-credentials to facilitate skills-based hiring. They report more work-ready hires and reduced training costs.
Nearly all employers (97%) are already using or actively exploring skills-based hiring
92% of employers say that graduates with micro-credentials possess skills that are immediately applicable to job role
9 in 10 (89%) employers that have hired candidates with micro-credentials have saved on training costs for entry-level hires, with 90% of these employers saving between 10-30% in annual training costs
Almost all students want their universities to offer credit-bearing micro-credentials. When offered, they drive higher enrollments, boost engagement, and improve employability.
94% of students want micro-credentials to count towards their degree – up from 55% in 2023
Globally, a student’s likelihood of enrolling in a program doubles (from 36% to 77%) when it offers micro-credentials, and are 2.4x (88%) more likely to enroll if they are credit-bearing
Students are twice as likely to remain engaged in a program that offers micro-credentials, with engagement soaring to nearly 90% if they are credit-bearing
94% of students agree that micro-credentials help build essential career skills
Students also want their degrees to offer GenAI training, and employers want graduates with those skills. Despite overwhelming demand, few have earned GenAI credentials at university.
93% of students believe GenAI training belongs in degree programs, and 94% of employers believe universities should equip graduates with GenAI skills for entry-level roles
Students are 2.5x (89%) more likely to enroll in a degree if GenAI micro-credentials are offered
92% of employers are more likely to hire a candidate with a GenAI micro-credential than one without one
3 in 4 employers say they’d hire a less experienced candidate with a GenAI credential over someone more experienced without one
However, only 17% of students have already earned a GenAI micro-credential to-date
Francesca Lockhart, Professor and Cybersecurity Clinic Program Lead, University of Texas at Austin, said: “Employer demand for skills-based hiring requires educators to prioritize skills-based learning. We must adapt our curricula to prepare students for a job market where desired qualifications are shifting too quickly for traditional education to keep pace.”
To gain a deeper understanding of how these credentials are shaping concrete career outcomes and workforce readiness, Coursera surveyed over 1,000 employers and 1,200 learners worldwide.
This research provides compelling evidence that, as technological change and economic uncertainty reshape education and work, micro-credentials are driving stronger outcomes for students, employers, and universities. Download the full report here. To learn more about Coursera for Campus, visit coursera.org/campus.
