ACC Digital Badges
The top three most common employability skills that align with each Academic and Career Community were identified through thorough examination of employability skills listed in job advertisements. Below are three color coded circles with each ACC description. The three color coded circles in sequential order (from left toright; 1-3) identify the top employability skills listed in job advertisements which have been cross-walked with NWOW badges. Across all ACCs, the most common employability skills are analysis, communication, digital fluency, and entrepreneurial mindset.
Top Three ACES skills for each Academic & Career Community
ACC Digital Badge cross-walk flyer
The Arts, Communication, and Design community explores perspectives on humanity and design culture, and will teach you to be a creative, imaginative, innovative and a critical thinker. This community (pathway) will challenge your mind and prepare you for your future with certificates, degrees, transfer and careers within visual andperforming arts, design, media, languages, and communications. (RIASEC: Artistic)
The Business, Technology, and Hospitality community will allow you to problem solve,
lead, plan, and organize. This community provides technical and trade skills, and
incorporates many types of management and administrative careers. This community (pathway)
will prepare you for a future with certificates, degrees, transfer, and careers within
business, accounting, information systems, culinary arts, and hospitality. (RIASEC:
Conventional and/or Enterprising)
The Health, Wellness, and Athletics community focuses on preparing individuals to adapt to new medical technologies and meet the increasing demand for skilled healthcare workers. This community will teach you problem solving skills and additional techniques needed to impact health, society, and quality of life. This community (pathway) will prepare you for a future with certificates, degrees, transfer, and careers that support the well-being of others in multiple areas of the health and athletic fields. (RIASEC: Social)
The Manufacturing, Industrial Design, and Transportation
community will enhance problem-solving skills, as well as foster critical thinking
and innovation by providing hands-on experiences. Students seeking entry-level and/or
advanced level skills will be prepared to enter the workforce directly. This community
(pathway) prepares students for industry and leadership opportunities with certificates,
degrees, transfer, and careers in automotive, aviation, drafting, engineering technology,
and industrial technology. (RIASEC: Realistic)
The Public Service, Culture, and Society community equips students to be empathetic leaders. This community enriches individuals with knowledge on social issues and provides them with an understanding of culture and humanity. This community (pathway) prepares you for a future with certificates, degrees, transfer, and careers in criminal justice, emergency response, firefighting, police, public service, social services, and education. (RIASEC: Social)
The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics community
will provide you with intellectual challenges that allow you to develop strong problem
solving skills. Through this community you will develop skills in research, data analysis,
and scientific investigation. This community (pathway) prepares you for a future with
certificates, degrees, transfer, and careers within science, engineering, mathematics,
medicine, and computer science. (RIASEC: Investigative)
10 ACES Skills
ADAPTABILITY
Students understand how to notice changes and see opportunities for growth, stay open to new experiences, consider a variety of viewpoints, and handle stress in a positive way.
ANALYSIS/SOLUTION MINDSET
Students consider different viewpoints, look at the bigger picture of work situation,
examine information, and think about different ways to solve a problem.
COLLABORATION
Student know how to understand diversity in the workplace, respect people's differences, share leadership by gathering ideas and using skills of all team members, and finding positive ways to deal with conflict.
COMMUNICATION
Students speak in a professional manner, effectively use various forms of communication, and are attentive listeners while asking questions or repeating back to make sure they understand correctly.
DIGITAL FLUENCY
Students have a basic understanding of technology tools and effectively use them to work together. Students also understand the right and wrong in sharing information, and effectively use online resources to find information or answer questions.
EMPATHY
Students know the difference between empathy and sympathy, and respectfully interact with others. They develop effective relationships with people from different backgrounds, and can make decisions by looking at things from their point of view.
ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDSET
Students are self-motivated and seek new knowledge, think of innovative ideas and approaches to tasks, and are willing to take risks and learn from mistakes while working to achieve goals.
RESILIENCE
Students view challenges as opportunities for growth, strive toward continuous self-development, utilizes personal strengths, experiences and knowledge to achieve long-term educational or career goals, and effectively manage stress or anxiety.
SELF-AWARENESS
Students assess problems and initiate solutions. Students adhere to professional norms in academic and career endeavors, apply personal strengths, skills and interests to matching academic and career pursuits. Students adopt a growth mindset invoking personal strengths while making progress in areas for improvement.
SOCIAL/DIVERSITY AWARENESS
Students are respectful and supportive of differences in others' backgrounds and beliefs, value diversity and cultural awareness, and apply diverse perspectives and insights to generate new ideas that facilitate problem-solving and decision making.
