You don't have
or earn a promotion to get a pay bump.
asserted
You → have → bump
So-called nondegree credentials (NDCs), such as professional certifications and licenses, can boost earnings, particularly for workers without college degrees, according to research from the U.S. Census Bureau.
uncertain
credentials → call → Bureau
These credentials, which demonstrate that a worker has completed training or developed a specific skill, can pay off in the job market.
asserted
worker → demonstrate → market
NDC holders had median earnings that were 16% higher than those of workers at the same level who lacked the credentials, the Census data shows.
asserted
data → have → credentials
Stacie Haller, chief career adviser at ResumeBuilder.com, said she's steering more job seekers toward alternative credentials as some employers stop requiring that candidates hold college degrees.
asserted
candidates → say → degrees
Such certificates or licenses demonstrate "specific skills that will put you ahead of other candidates," she told CBS News.
asserted
she → demonstrate → News
NDCs are certificates or licenses that signal that a worker possesses a particular qualification or competency.
asserted
worker → signal → qualification
They include vocational and educational certificates awarded by technical colleges or trade schools that focus on job skills and career preparation.
asserted
that → include → skills
Workers can earn certificates in a variety of fields, from food service to healthcare, according to the Census Bureau.
uncertain
Workers → earn → Bureau
For some people, NDCs can also offer an alternative to pursuing a college degree.
asserted
NDCs → offer → degree
Workers with job-specific knowledge and skills can also take exams to earn certifications and licenses, which usually expire and must be renewed.
asserted
which → take → certifications
Boards and associations, such as the American Nurses Association, can issue certifications, as can private firms like Google.
asserted
firms → issue → Google
Licenses are required for certain professions, such as cosmetologists and barbers.
asserted
Licenses → require → cosmetologists
Roughly 40% of workers in healthcare support, food service, farming, fishing, forestry, construction and repair occupations hold NDCs.
asserted
% → hold → NDCs
"This is not surprising given the extensive credentialing requirements for healthcare workers and information technology-related certifications for various software, programs and equipment," Census Bureau researchers wrote.
asserted
researchers → give → software
"Farm and craft trades, like agriculture and plumbing, similarly require credentialing to work with hazardous chemicals, heavy machinery and complex systems.
asserted
trades → require → chemicals
"
Just under 40% of workers in professional occupations, including management, STEM jobs, education, legal and other roles, hold NDCs.
asserted
% → include → NDCs
Haller said determining which type of credential is most valuable in a given field can require extensive research.
asserted
type → say → research
But there's one type of qualification she recommends that every job seeker obtain — a certificate or badge that demonstrates AI competency.
asserted
that → be → competency
"Every company is figuring out how to use AI, and if you have that experience and know how to use it in a business setting, you'll be valued," she said.
asserted
she → figure → setting
The Aporia
