Whether you want to change careers or broaden your skill set, graduate certificates are an excellent way to update your skills and boost your resume. These short, specialized programs allow you to invest minimal time and money into continuing education. By completing one of these programs, you will develop competitive transferable skills employers value. Here are 5 essential skills you can gain from a graduate education certificate program.
Interpersonal Skills
Education degrees teach students a lot of facts and information, but they also build essential interpersonal skills that help educators connect with their students and create a positive learning environment.
A survey found that the most effective teachers have excellent interpersonal skills. People often consider interpersonal skills soft skills, which are just as essential for professional success.
The same study cited above found that more than half of all employees said they rely on soft skills like communication, critical thinking, and teamwork to do their jobs well. While improving your interpersonal skills is not always easy, some graduate education certificate programs are designed to give you a head start.
For example, one research paper described how a one-semester online course focusing on interpersonal skills helped STEM graduate students improve their relationships with peers and colleagues. Students also had the opportunity to practice their skills with real-world scenarios and got instructor feedback. Moreover, the students viewed the course as a valuable addition to their graduate studies.
Creativity
Creating new ideas and solving problems requires creativity. While some people come by it naturally, there are things you can do to hone your creative skills. One trait that is highly correlated with creativity is openness to experience.
This means you will try new things and see how they work. Another important trait is curiosity. Creative people always ask why something is done a certain way, look for ways to improve it, or challenge accepted wisdom.
A graduate education certificate program is a great place to develop creativity and find that support network. Many programs offer faculty mentors and small class sizes to provide personalized feedback on your projects. You can complete a master’s degree in two to three semesters, which is much less time-consuming.
Communication
Regarding career advancement, there are only so many skills as essential as communication. A graduate education certificate program offers a way to learn new skills and gain proficiency in your field without the time and expense of a complete master’s degree.
A graduate certificate program can help you improve verbal communication or improve your writing skills. The programs give you a working knowledge of essential communication methods, like informational briefings, persuasive messaging, or conflict management by getting right to the subject’s core.
In addition, you will likely collaborate with fellow students and instructors in your studies. Strong collaboration skills are critical for education professionals and students alike, as they enable you to work well with others while promoting open-mindedness, confidence, empathy, clear and cohesive written communication, and active listening.
Depending on the topic of your certificate, you may also explore theoretical approaches to organizational culture and society or practice crafting contextually sensitive, effective, and ethical organizational messages for different audiences. This will equip you with the tools to become a more skilled and influential communicator in your workplace.
Research
In many graduate certificate programs, the school teaches students how to research using the school’s library resources and conduct independent online searches.
Any professional values this skill, which is primarily expected from those who work in constantly changing fields like forensics or information security. Research skills help a student find reliable, helpful information.
They also teach students to be critical of their research, asking themselves if the sources are trustworthy and whether or not they are giving accurate information. In addition, you will likely collaborate with fellow students and instructors in your studies. Strong collaboration skills allow students to be open-minded and supportive of others’ ideas while also being able to stand up for their own.
Many people choose to pursue a graduate education certificate to advance in their current career or move into a new one. A certificate program can be less time-consuming and more affordable than a full-time master’s degree, and it shows employers that a student is committed to their field and interested in gaining up-to-date skills.
Leadership
If you want to make yourself more marketable, graduate certificates are a great way to show your employers that you’re ready for more responsibility and a thirst for learning new skills. Pursuing a certificate is often less time-consuming and cost-effective than earning a master’s degree.
A well-rounded program will explore various topics, including the leadership skills necessary to succeed in a modern business environment. Developing these soft skills will enable you to work effectively alone and in groups, a must-have for any career path. These skills are so crucial that some call them “emotional intelligence” or “people skills.” Whatever you choose to call them, they are vital for academic and professional success.
