Digital illustration showing a graduation cap turning into a digital network to symbolize non-traditional education.

Unlock Your Potential: How Non-Traditional Credentials Can Catapult Your Career

Mira Elwood in Mind & Education August 2025 • 4 min read.

"In today's competitive job market, discover how online courses and shared credentials are leveling the playing field, especially for those without traditional degrees."

In an era where education is rapidly evolving, non-traditional credentials, such as those obtained through Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), are becoming increasingly vital. In 2021 alone, over 40 million learners enrolled in MOOCs, seeking to enhance their skill sets and career prospects. However, the real-world value of these credentials in the labor market has remained a topic of debate.

A groundbreaking study by Susan Athey and Emil Palikot sheds light on this very issue, investigating the labor market impact of credentials earned through MOOCs and shared on professional networking platforms. The research dives into whether showcasing these credentials can indeed increase one's chances of securing new employment, particularly for learners who may not have access to traditional educational pathways.

This article unpacks the key findings of their research, offering insights into how these non-traditional qualifications are reshaping career trajectories and what you can do to leverage them to your advantage.

The Power of Sharing: How Credentials Translate to Job Opportunities

Digital illustration showing a graduation cap turning into a digital network to symbolize non-traditional education.

Athey and Palikot's study centered on a randomized experiment involving over 800,000 learners, primarily from developing countries and without college degrees, who had completed technology or business-related courses on Coursera. The experiment focused on encouraging these learners to share their newly acquired credentials on LinkedIn, streamlining the sharing process to make it as easy as possible.

The results were compelling. The intervention led to a 17 percentage point increase in credential sharing among participants. More impressively, learners in the treatment group were 6% more likely to report new employment within a year, with an 8% increase in jobs directly related to their certifications.

Increased Visibility: Sharing credentials increases the visibility of your skills to potential employers.
Tangible Results: Sharing leads to a measurable increase in employment opportunities.
Simplified Process: Easy sharing mechanisms encourage more learners to showcase their achievements.

This effect was particularly pronounced among LinkedIn users with lower baseline employability, suggesting that non-traditional credentials can be especially beneficial for those who may face more significant barriers to entry in the job market. These findings underscore the value of skill signaling and the potential gains from facilitating credential sharing.

Level Up Your Career: The Future is Here

In conclusion, Athey and Palikot's research provides strong evidence that non-traditional credentials, particularly those from MOOCs, can significantly enhance employability, especially when shared on professional networking platforms. For individuals in developing countries or those without traditional degrees, these credentials offer a powerful tool for signaling skills and opening doors to new career opportunities. By embracing these alternative pathways to education and actively sharing your achievements, you can take control of your career trajectory and unlock your full potential.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2405.00247,

Title: The Value Of Non-Traditional Credentials In The Labor Market

Subject: econ.gn q-fin.ec

Authors: Susan Athey, Emil Palikot

Published: 30-04-2024

Everything You Need To Know

What are non-traditional credentials, and why are they becoming so important?

Non-traditional credentials refer to qualifications earned outside of traditional degree programs, such as those obtained through Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). Their importance is rapidly increasing in today's job market because they offer alternative pathways to demonstrate skills and knowledge, particularly for individuals who may not have access to traditional educational pathways. They are becoming increasingly vital as the labor market evolves, allowing individuals to enhance their skill sets and career prospects. The research by Susan Athey and Emil Palikot highlights how these credentials from MOOCs can significantly boost employability.

How can sharing credentials from MOOCs on platforms like LinkedIn impact my job search?

Sharing credentials, especially those from MOOCs, on platforms like LinkedIn can significantly improve your job search outcomes. Research by Susan Athey and Emil Palikot demonstrated that sharing credentials led to a 17 percentage point increase in sharing among participants. Learners who shared their MOOC credentials were also 6% more likely to report new employment within a year, with an 8% increase in jobs directly related to their certifications. Sharing on LinkedIn increases the visibility of your skills to potential employers, which translates to a measurable increase in employment opportunities, particularly for those with lower baseline employability.

What were the key findings of the study by Susan Athey and Emil Palikot?

The study by Susan Athey and Emil Palikot, focused on a randomized experiment involving over 800,000 learners, primarily from developing countries without college degrees. The research investigated the labor market impact of credentials earned through MOOCs. The key findings indicated that encouraging learners to share their credentials on LinkedIn increased credential sharing by 17 percentage points. Furthermore, learners in the treatment group were 6% more likely to report new employment within a year, with an 8% increase in jobs directly related to their certifications. This effect was especially pronounced among LinkedIn users with lower baseline employability, highlighting the value of skill signaling.

How do non-traditional credentials help those facing barriers to entry in the job market?

Non-traditional credentials, like those from MOOCs, can be especially beneficial for individuals who may face more significant barriers to entry in the job market. The research by Susan Athey and Emil Palikot indicated that the positive impact of sharing MOOC credentials on employment was particularly pronounced among LinkedIn users with lower baseline employability. By showcasing skills and knowledge gained through these credentials, individuals can signal their abilities to potential employers, opening doors to opportunities they might otherwise miss. This is especially helpful for individuals in developing countries or those without traditional degrees, allowing them to take control of their career trajectory and unlock their full potential.

Besides MOOCs, are there other types of non-traditional credentials, and what are the benefits of obtaining them?

The article focuses on Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) as a key example of non-traditional credentials. While the article does not explicitly name other types, the broader category includes any qualifications obtained outside of a traditional degree program. The benefits of obtaining non-traditional credentials like those from MOOCs include enhanced skill sets, increased employability, and increased visibility to potential employers. These credentials offer a powerful tool for signaling skills, especially when shared on platforms like LinkedIn, providing a competitive edge in the job market, particularly for individuals in developing countries or those without traditional degrees.