You’ve probably heard the term open badge or digital badge before, but what exactly is it? And why does it matter for your studies, your CV, and your future career?
🏷️ Digital Badge = Proof of skills you can show off
An open badge is a visual, digital representation of a specific skill, achievement, or experience.
It’s verifiable (anyone can check its authenticity).
It’s shareable (you can add it to LinkedIn, your online portfolio, or your CV).
💡 Example: Imagine you complete a Data Visualization project during your studies. You earn a badge that shows this skill — and you can share it with employers before you even graduate.
✅ Why Open Badges are great for students
Think of them as proof points for your growing skill set. They’re recognized by employers and transferable beyond the classroom.
Badges can showcase:
Skills from coursework
Achievements in internships
Experience gained in volunteering or community projects
🌐 Meet Open Badge Passport
When you earn a badge, you need somewhere to keep it safe, visible, and easy to share.
That’s where Open Badge Passport comes in — a free online badge wallet where you can:
Store all your badges in one secure place
Showcase them directly on your LinkedIn profile under “Licenses & Certifications”
Display them in your portfolio, CV, or personal website
Document your learning journey with descriptions, evidence, and reflections
Share badges easily with employers, schools, or peers
With Open Badge Passport, you turn your badges into a personal portfolio of skills that grows with you — and is visible where it matters most, including LinkedIn.
👩🏫 For Faculty & Mentors
Badges aren’t just for students—they’re a teaching and assessment tool. Faculty can use them to recognize learning in various contexts:
Cross-disciplinary projects
Service learning
Research activities
Professional development programs
🌍 For Community Members
Skills aren’t only developed in school. Open badges can highlight the cultural wealth of lived experiences—such as:
Leadership in community organizing
Mentoring
Caregiving
Entrepreneurship
🚀 Why they matter
Digital Badges make your skills visible—no matter where or how you learned them. They give you a way to stand out in applications, interviews, and networking by proving what you can do.
So next time you earn a badge, don’t just file it away—store it in Open Badge Passport, add it to your LinkedIn profile, and let it work for you.