--- title: "Empowering the Next-Generation Workforce: A Shift from Traditional Degrees to Proficiency Demonstration" description: In the modern job landscape, a university degree is no longer a guaranteed ticket to career success. Today, employers emphasize skillful competency over mere academic qualifications. image: https://blog.fundfive.com/hubfs/career%20competency.png --- [Skip to content](https://blog.fundfive.com/beyond-the-classroom/empoweringthenextgeneration#main-content) [![fundfive-logo-for-dark-bkgd](https://blog.fundfive.com/hs-fs/hubfs/fundfive-logo-for-dark-bkgd.png?width=1799&height=312&name=fundfive-logo-for-dark-bkgd.png "fundfive-logo-for-dark-bkgd")](https://www.fundfive.com) - [OUR SOLUTIONS](https://www.fundfive.com/) - [CONTACT US](https://resources.fundfive.com/contact-us) - [Career Sustainability](https://blog.fundfive.com/beyond-the-classroom/tag/career-sustainability), - [Reis](https://blog.fundfive.com/beyond-the-classroom/tag/reis) # Empowering the Next-Generation Workforce: A Shift from Traditional Degrees to Proficiency Demonstration ![Leaving the classroom with confidence](https://blog.fundfive.com/hubfs/career%20competency.png) - May 1, 2024 ![Matt Christian, Ed.D.](https://blog.fundfive.com/hubfs/IMG_0133.jpg) [Matt Christian, Ed.D.](https://blog.fundfive.com/beyond-the-classroom/author/matthew-christian) In the modern job landscape, a university degree is no longer a guaranteed ticket to career success. Today, employers emphasize skillful competency over mere academic qualifications. When a graduate fails to demonstrate proficiency, it creates a detrimental ripple effect that can impact their earning capacity, immediately putting them at a distinct disadvantage compared to peers armed with concrete skill demonstrations.     As noted by Gauthier (2020), employers increasingly scrutinize traditional degrees and understand that a student’s mere presence in the classroom does not equate to acquired proficiency. Following a model that equates degree completion with evidence of skill acquisition has proven problematic, given the glaring gap between education and job performance.      It is not uncommon to find graduates struggling with underemployment, barely capable of facing standard career tasks after a year, and consequently not being able to service their college debts that were once perceived as gateways to greater earning potential. This disparity calls for a paradigm shift in our approach to education and the job market.     In these midst of these pressing concerns, we bring to you '*Reis*', an innovative mobile app that stands as a beacon for addressing the prevalent challenges amongst high school and college graduates.      Designed with academic advisors, student success leaders, and career counselors in mind, *Reis* is your trusted partner in navigating the ever-evolving job market. More importantly, it offers an effective shield to combat the vulnerability and the lingering effects of COVID-19 that can disrupt a graduate's employability for up to a decade.      What makes *Reis* unique? It masterfully uses Plans designed to define multiple proficiency layers, adhering to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) standards. This framework enables seamless integration of co-curricular activities with academic curriculum, ensuring a comprehensive development that enhances employability.     With its state-of-the-art features, such as the ability to track student progress and levels of proficiency through various modes, and the innovative Flight Control for administrative oversight, *Reis* is not just an application, but a holistic career scaffolding platform. Not to mention, its focus on data security, user-friendly interface, detailed custom support documentation, and scalable cloud architecture that ensures smooth performance regardless of user volume.     In conclusion, it's time we help our students tune in to the changing frequencies of the job market. Stop depending on traditional degrees and start demonstrating proficiency with *Reis*. Enhance your advising capabilities, provide an edge to student career development, and make the post-COVID job market a more navigable realm for your students.    References    Gauthier, T. (2020). The value of microcredentials: The employer's perspective \[Article\]. *Journal of Competency-Based Education*,* 5*(2), 1-6. [https://doi.org/10.1002/cbe2.1209](https://doi.org/10.1002/cbe2.1209)   Beyond the Classroom ## Related Articles [![Handshake](https://blog.fundfive.com/hubfs/handshake-1.png)](https://blog.fundfive.com/beyond-the-classroom/about-nace) [Career Sustainability](https://blog.fundfive.com/beyond-the-classroom/tag/career-sustainability) ### [The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Career Readiness Framework: An Overview & Insight.](https://blog.fundfive.com/beyond-the-classroom/about-nace) April 3, 2024 [Read more](https://blog.fundfive.com/beyond-the-classroom/about-nace) [![graduation caps](https://blog.fundfive.com/hubfs/graduation-1.png)](https://blog.fundfive.com/beyond-the-classroom/crafting-your-protean-career) [Career Sustainability](https://blog.fundfive.com/beyond-the-classroom/tag/career-sustainability) ### [Crafting Your Protean Career: A Journey of Adaptability and Self-Direction](https://blog.fundfive.com/beyond-the-classroom/crafting-your-protean-career) April 10, 2024 Introduction [Read more](https://blog.fundfive.com/beyond-the-classroom/crafting-your-protean-career) [![](https://blog.fundfive.com/hubfs/beyond%20the%20numbers.png)](https://blog.fundfive.com/beyond-the-classroom/bridgingthegap) [Student Challenges](https://blog.fundfive.com/beyond-the-classroom/tag/student-challenges), [Career Sustainability](https://blog.fundfive.com/beyond-the-classroom/tag/career-sustainability) ### [Beyond the Numbers: Addressing The Hurdles That Come With Turning Non-Credit Learners Into Degree Seekers](https://blog.fundfive.com/beyond-the-classroom/bridgingthegap) May 8, 2024 According to the American Association of Community Colleges’ “Fast Facts 2024,” non-credit students comprised 40% of... [Read more](https://blog.fundfive.com/beyond-the-classroom/bridgingthegap) [Check all articles](https://blog.fundfive.com/beyond-the-classroom) ### Unlock Career Sustainability Are your students prepared for long-term success in their future career? Our groundbreaking solution, ***Reis***, is tailored prepare your students for success outside the classroom. [LEARN MORE ABOUT REIS](https://resources.fundfive.com/contact-us) Subscribe for ### Beyond the Classroom To stay up-to-date on the latest from Beyond the Classroom sign-up for email updates or follow us on Social Media. [![fundfive-logo](https://blog.fundfive.com/hs-fs/hubfs/fundfive-logo.png?width=300&height=52&name=fundfive-logo.png "fundfive-logo")](https://blog.fundfive.com/) We are a boutique software and services firm based in Wilmington, North Carolina. FundFive was created with the vision of bringing easy-to-use tools to Higher Education that provide indispensable value. If you would like to learn more, please [contact us](https://c-hsv04.na1.hubspotlinks.com/Ctc/UA+113/c-hsV04/MWrCZrRr8_hW2yzdbn2vXRZ2W4jRtpV58KdC8N2F3N2K3qn9gW6N1vHY6lZ3l8W1YkhbN9hdp0DW817RbV9fPqbmW6ZfNmG5Jn-VDVRr0y7588T9vN1KHNGgVPPl8W2Hgb4m4PS5v6W8nCGhC1nd0b-W3TKL7t8lNdVMW1npGDy5F5zQ8W6glvh-63--TjW8V8QQz40tkKYW4NxtPY6vn_PFW40lHMF5LnNwxW5tDTBk4jWNcGW7HlC7S8CZLPhW1hphFv6pzDkMN8vgqNgMMFjbN3tPchthnhN1W4gnDzh6jSb2pW86cM5l2h7pCHW2gNHr141nFNrW9bZDmK53yYQ3f1hm2Kx04) and we would love to chat! # OUR APPROACH [Modern Solutions](http://www.fundfive.com) [Client Resources](http://clients.fundfive.com) # OUR SOLUTIONS [Financial Insights and Budgeting](http://www.fundfive.com/clarity) [Continuing Education Registration](http://www.fundfive.com/register) S[ervice Delivery Framework](http://www.fundfive.com/modern-solutions) # OUR TEAM [Contact](https://resources.fundfive.com/contact-us) [Our Leaders](http://www.fundfive.com/team) [Our Future](http://www.fundfive.com/our-future) - [Home](https://www.fundfive.com) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.fundfive.com/privacy) Powered by HubSnacks [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/FundFive) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/fundfive) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.instagram.com/fundfive) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Matt Christian, Ed.D.", "url" : "https://blog.fundfive.com/beyond-the-classroom/author/matthew-christian" }, "dateModified" : "2024-05-01T13:49:55.606Z", "datePublished" : "2024-05-01T13:49:55.000Z", "headline" : "Empowering the Next-Generation Workforce: A Shift from Traditional Degrees to Proficiency Demonstration", "image" : [ "https://blog.fundfive.com/hubfs/career%20competency.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.fundfive.com/beyond-the-classroom/empoweringthenextgeneration", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.fundfive.com/hubfs/lightbulb_only_transparent-1.png" }, "name" : "Fund Five, L.L.C." } } ```