OHO launches Global Readiness Badge to prepare students for a globally connected workforce

Ohio University’s School of International Studies and Languages (SISAL) has launched the Global Readiness Badge, a new academic microcredential that recognizes students who intentionally develop the skills needed to succeed in today’s globally connected workforce.

“Global competence has become a baseline expectation for today’s workforce,” said Haley Duschinski, director of the School of International Studies and Languages. “The Global Readiness Badge helps students translate international learning into language that employers understand, making global experience legible, intentional and career-relevant.”

The badge is designed for students from academic programs across the entire University -- including engineering, education, fine arts, business and medicine -- reflecting the reality that global competencies are now essential in nearly every professional field.

Unlike a traditional credential tied to a disciplinary or interdisciplinary program of study, the Global Readiness Badge signals a set of transferable skills that employers increasingly expect from college graduates.

Why global workforce readiness matters

Today’s workforce is shaped by global supply chains, international regulations, cultural diversity and rapidly changing social and economic conditions.

Graduates are expected not only to bring technical knowledge, but also to communicate across differences, adapt to unfamiliar environments and collaborate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.

The Global Readiness Badge responds to this shift by helping students connect global learning -- often experienced through coursework, study abroad or co-curricular activities -- to professional preparation and career readiness.

“Students gain valuable global experiences in many ways, but those experiences don’t always show up clearly on a resume,” says Aaron Sturgill, executive director of career readiness in Career Services. “The Global Readiness Badge helps students make those skills visible and meaningful to employers by connecting global learning directly to career readiness." 

What the Global Readiness Badge signifies

The Global Readiness Badge is an academic microcredential that signifies a student’s demonstrated intercultural fluency, global communication skills and applied global experience.

Students earn the badge by completing a structured set of academic, experiential and professional activities, and by reflecting on how those experiences prepare them for the workforce.

Once earned, the badge can be displayed on a student’s resume, professional portfolio and LinkedIn profile, providing a clear and verified signal of global readiness to employers and graduate programs.

Partnership with Career Services and Suitable

The Global Readiness Badge is offered in partnership with Ohio University’s Office of Career Services and is delivered through Suitable, a student engagement platform that every OHIO student already has access to.

Through Suitable, students can track their progress toward the badge, document their experiences and articulate how global learning connects to their professional goals.

This partnership ensures that the badge is not only academically meaningful but also aligned with career development and employer expectations.

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What students complete to earn the badge

To earn the Global Readiness Badge, students complete experiences across four interconnected areas:

• Global and Cultural Awareness: Attend three internationally focused activities—such as conversation hours, cultural celebrations or public lectures—that deepen understanding of global issues and cross-cultural communication.
• Language and Communication Skills: Complete one language-learning experience, such as a year of foreign language study or a language exchange program, to strengthen communication across linguistic and cultural boundaries.
• Professional Integration and Career Readiness: Complete three professional development activities, such as career workshops, alumni panels, resume development or informational interviews, that connect global experiences to career goals.
• Applied Global Experience: Participate in one high-impact global experience, such as a study abroad program, international internship or virtual global project.

Together, these experiences help students move beyond exposure to global perspectives and toward intentional professional preparation.

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Preparing students for what comes next

The Global Readiness Badge reflects SISAL’s broader commitment to ensuring that global education at OHIO supports students’ long-term success in a complex and interconnected world.

“This badge reflects our commitment to preparing students for the realities of the world they are entering,” Duschinski said. “Whether students pursue careers locally or globally, the ability to navigate cultural difference, global systems and complex social environments will shape their success long after graduation.”

Students from all majors are encouraged to participate in the Global Readiness Badge and to explore how global competencies can strengthen their academic and professional pathways.

For more information, contact Duschinski at duschins@ohio.edu or see the School of International Studies and Languages website.