AI is accelerating the pace of change in the job market and employers are looking for demonstrated knowledge of skills in addition to degrees from candidates. Hiring managers want to see evidence of skills and competencies that are relevant and applicable to the roles they are hiring for. Learn how Microsoft is enabling institutions and educators to bring in AI, cloud, and security technical skills into the classroom in ways that allow educators the flexibility of how they adopt these teaching tools and result in students having Microsoft-validated credentials to highlight the skills they have learned to complement the degrees they have earned.

Rachel Wortman Morris, Ph.D. is the Director of the Future Skills Initiative for Microsoft. In her role, she directs a comprehensive skilling and employment program that enables educators to equip post-secondary students with Microsoft technical skills while also working to ensure that Microsoft customers and partners have sustainable long-term access to qualified job candidates. Rachel was one of the creators behind the Microsoft Learn for Educators and Microsoft Learn Career Connected programs and former co-director of the Microsoft AI Business School. She is a clinical assistant professor in the School of Public Health at the University of Washington, and she holds her Ph.D. in Comparative Studies from The Ohio State University, a master’s in literature from Middlebury College, and a bachelor’s of English from Oberlin College.