JMC's LinkedIn Badge Program offers current Madison students the opportunity to pursue professional development training and share new skills on LinkedIn.
What is a digital badge?
A digital badge allows you to demonstrate knowledge and abilities you've developed at JMC through a variety of co-curricular learning opportunities. When shared on your LinkedIn profile, the badge displays detailed information including the date of completion, associated skills and requirements met to earn the credential.
How does it work?
Upon successful completion of a program's requirements, you'll receive a link to a digital badge that can be instantly shared on LinkedIn, added to email signatures or included in job applications.
Current Opportunities
JMC Career Readiness Badge
The Career Readiness Badge is designed to prepare students for internships and post-graduation career opportunities. Students earn the Career Readiness Badge by attending internship- and career-related programming offered by JMC's Career Services and Field Experience Offices.
Badge earners must participate in at least three JMC career-readiness programs over the course of a semester, requiring an investment of 3-5 hours of time.
Students can find eligible events by search "JMC" on Handshake.
No need to sign up for JMC’s badging program or track your attendance— Karissa and Lauren will track your participation and issue your badge as soon as you attend three events in a semester.
Badge earners must participate in at least three JMC career-readiness programs over the course of a semester.
Below are some of the eligible events for the Fall 2025 semester. Students are encouraged to register via Handshake:
- Ask Us Anything: Grad & Law School, Sept. 9 at 5 p.m. in 329 South Case Hall. Register to attend via Handshake
- Internships 101, Sept. 16 at 4:30 p.m. in 329 South Case Hall
- Resume & Cover Letter Development, Sept. 29 at 4:30 p.m. in 329 South Case Hall. Register to attend via Handshake
- Using LinkedIn to Build Professional Relationships, Oct. 7 at 4:30 p.m. in 329 South Case Hall. Register to attend via Handshake
- Internships 101, Nov. 5 at 4:30 p.m. in 329 South Case Hall.
- Unpacking Your Experience Abroad, Nov. 10 at 4:30 p.m. in 329 South Case Hall. Register to attend via Handshake
No need to sign up for JMC’s badging program or track your attendance— Karissa and Lauren will track your participation and issue your badge as soon as you attend three events in a semester.
Have questions about whether an event is badge-eligible? Email jm.career@msu.edu to find out.
Active Listening; Career Exploration; Collaboration; Communication; Cover Letter Development; Critical Thinking; Equity and Inclusion; Interviewing; Leadership; Networking; Professionalism; Resume Development; Research; Self-Development; Technology
Students can reach out to Karissa Chabot-Purchase at jm.career@msu.edu with questions about this program.
JMC Advanced Career Readiness Badge
The Advanced Career Readiness Badge is an immersive program organized by the college’s Career Services and Field Experience Offices. This program involves in-person site visits hosted by alumni and employers representing a range of roles and industries. Participants also complete a series of pre-departure trainings focused on topics aligned with the NACE career readiness competencies.
Badge earner take part in an immersive career readiness program organized by the college’s Career Services and Field Experience Offices. Program itinerary includes:
- multiple (5-15) in-person site visits hosted by alumni and employers representing a range of roles and industries
- series of pre-departure trainings focused on topics aligned with the NACE career readiness competencies
Participants commit between 8 and 40 hours of time total to preparing for and engaging with program offerings and built relationships with dozens of alumni and employers.
Students who attend JMC's Career Exposure Program and complete related trainings will be eligible to earn this badge.
Active Listening; Adaptability; Career Exploration; Collaboration; Communication; Critical Thinking; Equity and Inclusion; Financial Planning; Independence; Informational Interviewing; Leadership; Networking; Open-Source Technology; Outreach; Professionalism; Relationship-Building; Research; Resourcefulness; Self-Development; Time Management
Students can reach out to Karissa Chabot-Purchase at jm.career@msu.edu with questions about this program.
JMC Open-Source Research Badge
The Open-Source Research Badge is awarded to students who demonstrate foundational proficiency in open-source research (OSINT) through participation in the Human Rights Data Science Lab. Through team-oriented and applied projects, recipients develop skills using digital tools to collect, organize and evaluate publicly available information from diverse on and offline sources and present results in clear, well-documented formats.
This badge recognizes readiness to apply open-source research skills in further academic work, internships and entry-level professional roles.
Badge earners were an active participant in the James Madison College Human Rights Data Science Lab and completed the following requirements:
- Attended 32 hours of lab sessions,
- attended lab orientation,
- attended one professional development training seminar focused on introduction to either ArcGIS or Tableau software packages,
- and completed initial geo-location exercise.
Collaborative Research; Data Organization and Documentation; Digital Research; Information Gathering; OSINT Fundamentals; Presenting Research; Source Evaluation
Students can reach out to Prof. Robert Brathwaite at brathwa1@msu.edu with questions about this program.
JMC Undergraduate Research Leader - Open-Source Human Rights Investigations Badge
This badge is awarded to undergraduate students who successfully lead research teams conducting open-source investigations into alleged human rights violations as part of JMC's Human Rights Data Science Lab. Recipients demonstrate the ability to plan, coordinate and execute OSINT projects; mentor peers in investigative methods; manage sensitive data securely; and present evidence-based findings in academic or advocacy contexts.
This badge reflects leadership, analytical rigor and a commitment to accountability and human rights.
Badge earner served as a lab leader in the James Madison College Human Rights Data Science Lab and completed the following requirements:
- managed research team,
- attended 32 hours of lab sessions and 8 hours of leadership coordination meetings,
- conducted 2 lab recruitment events,
- attended one professional development training seminar focused on introduction to either ArcGIS or Tableau software packages,
- and assisted in management of Lab social media platforms.
Adaptability; Advanced Information Gathering; Analytical Decision-Making; Event Reconstruction; Evidence Documentation; Mentorship and Peer Development; Project Planning and Task Delegation; Reporting Writing and Briefing; Source Verification and Geolocation; Visual and Data Storytelling
Students can reach out to Prof. Robert Brathwaite at brathwa1@msu.edu with questions about this program.
Student Outreach & Engagement Badge
Students who earn this badge will have demonstrated a sustained commitment to representing JMC through outreach, engagement and community-facing recruitment efforts.
Recipients participate in prospective student programming, mentor peers in outreach strategies, and contribute to holistic recruitment efforts focused on access, opportunity and excellence. This badge recognizes communication, initiative and leadership in advancing the college's mission to build a dynamic, empowered student body.
- Earner completed 2+ trainings;
- contributed to 1 collaborative planning meeting or strategy session; mentored or shadowed 1 new ambassador or student coordinator; demonstrated a working knowledge of Michigan State University and James Madison College's programs, values, and student opportunities through a mock role-play exercise; co-hosted 4+ outreach events, and volunteered 1-2 hours of time outside of working hours.
Campus Knowledge; Collaborative Planning; College Access and Awareness; Event Facilitation and Logistics; Interpersonal Communication; Peer Mentorship and Leadership; Public Speaking; Reflective Practice; Responsive Outreach.
Students can reach out to Jahshua Smith at smithjah@msu.edu with questions about this program.
Support JMC's Badging Series
James Madison College welcomes partners who’d like to contribute to our badging series as guest experts! Please reach out to JM.Career@msu.edu to learn more.