ALBANY, N.Y. — When Bethel’s Kyle Maines graduated this spring, Coastal Carolina University didn’t just give him a traditional paper diploma. Maines also received a digital version, in the form of a badge on his personalized Merit page.
Almost 500 colleges across the country are making sure that new graduates have a validated online showcase of their college achievements on meritpages.com. Maines is among the two million students whose accomplishments, ranging from making the dean’s list to studying abroad to graduating, are verified with digital badges by his college.
The badges are not only a way for students to share their achievements with friends and family on Facebook, Twitter and other social networks, but they automatically build a professional online presence, which is critical in making students more attractive to potential employers.
“More than 75 percent of employers Google an applicant during the hiring process,” said Colin Mathews, CEO of readMedia. The company’s Merit software powers the digital badges and student and school profiles at Meritpages.com.
“By validating and recognizing accomplishments, institutions like Coastal Carolina University can give students like Kyle an advantage by ensuring that his achievements are easily discoverable,” Mathews said.
Unlike other sites that cater to professionals later in their careers and require users to create and build their own profiles, like LinkedIn, Merit pages are automatically created for students by their colleges. College-verified achievements are highlighted for each student, and students can choose to add additional campus activities or work experience to their Merit page.
Commencement badges also make it easy for distant friends and family to share in the joy and recognition of such an important milestone.
“Friends and family love seeing and commenting on achievement badges on Facebook,” Mathews said.
Parents and students can contact the president of their college to make sure important achievements, like graduation, are being recognized with digital badges from Merit.
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