Using Stackable Credentials to Build Your Dream Career
Not sure if university is worth it? Well stackable credentials might be the path for you.
Determining what happens next after secondary school isn't so simple. For many decades, the "next thing" was predetermined: go to university, acquire a four/five-year degree, and then start your career. But the world of technology isn't necessarily on the same timeline as traditional education. By the time you have finished with a long program, what you have learned can already become obsolete.
That's why many people now consider a system called stackable credentials. You can think of it as a modular, flexible approach to learning that enables you to build your career one step at a time, aligning with the latest industry trends.
David Adubiina
What are stackable credentials?
Imagine this: you wake up one day and decide you want to become an IT manager in the future. Instead of diving straight into a four-year degree program, you start small with a six-month beginner IT course. That certificate alone is enough to land you an entry-level Help Desk job, giving you both practical experience and income.
As you grow, you decide to deepen your expertise and earn a certification like CompTIA Network+, which unlocks the next step on the career ladder. From there, you can stack more credentials—maybe a cloud or networking certification, or even credits that count toward a university degree.
That’s essentially what stackable credentials are all about: building your career step by step.
Think of them as learning blocks. Instead of committing to one massive, all-or-nothing degree, you earn smaller, focused achievements, like a certificate, a microdegree, or a vendor certification, in stages. And the best part? These achievements are stackable, meaning credits or skills from one credential count toward the next larger one, so you’re never redoing effort or wasting money unnecessarily.
There are three broad types of stacking:
- Vertical Stacking: The classic ladder path—moving from a certificate, to an Associate's, and then a Bachelor's degree, with each move toward higher-level positions.
- Horizontal Stacking: Building breadth at one level, like combining Cloud Architecture, Database, and Networking certificates to become highly multi-skilled.
- Supplemental Stacking: Adding a previously acquired degree with a specialised certification, like an AI/ML certificate, after a Computer Science degree.
Knowing these trajectories enables you to map out your development strategically from the outset.
Kelechi Edeh
Stackable vs. The Traditional Degree: Choosing Your Launchpad
When it comes time to deciding between furthering your education the traditional way, like going to a university for a degree, or to build things yourself, there are a few things you need to understand. First of all, you could argue that both are just a piece of paper, but it's a bit more than that.
Traditional degrees remain worth it. They provide a solid theoretical foundation, instill essential soft skills such as research and communication, and remain a standard requirement for most top-flight jobs in management, academia, or research.
Aside from the degrees themselves, being in a standard university has its perks, such as alumni networks and general name recognition. But it involves a lengthy, uninterrupted commitment of time, four years or more, before you walk out with an official degree.
The stackable model, on the other hand, turns that model on its head. It follows a "learn and earn" trajectory in which every achievement has instant value. You could start with a beginner's certificate in IT Fundamentals for six months to test the waters. If you enjoy it, those credits can transfer to your next qualification. If it doesn't appeal to you, you've saved yourself years of effort and thousands of dollars.
For someone already committed to advanced research or C-suite leadership, a degree could be the perfect place to begin. For those looking, stackables provide entry at reduced risk.
Pros and Cons of Stackable Credentials
Stackable credentials are arguably a quicker entry into the workforce and are continually relevant because many of the programs are updated as the technological universe changes. They also reduce risk: with each step along the way, you're getting a credential that you can sell. But acceptance is not universal.
Large names such as CompTIA or AWS have cachet anywhere, but smaller microcertificates may not be portable between colleges or fully appreciated by all employers. Conventional degrees, however, though slower to evolve, are widely recognised globally and often provide opportunities that certificates alone cannot.
Beginning the Stackable Journey
If you find this path appealing, strategy is the key. Don't pick up certificates willy-nilly. Start with the entry-level job you want to get (like Help Desk Technician), and then identify the certification that makes you eligible for it (like CompTIA IT Fundamentals or A+).
Then, locate a college or university that will give you credit for them for an associate's or bachelor's degree. This way, every step builds on the last, giving you both practical skills now and a strong academic foundation later if you choose to continue.
Conclusion
In the end, there's really no one right answer. A traditional degree offers depth, prestige, and long-term recognition. Stackable credentials offer acceleration, flexibility, and continuous alignment with job market demand.
At the crossroads, you might even decide to launch your own business or startup and turn your back on furthering your education completely. Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg did it; look where they are now. The right choice for you will ultimately depend on your goals, your financial resources, and your learning style, but understanding both choices means you have the freedom to control the trajectory of your career.
Oyinebiladou Omemu
