Resume question

[codface]

I've earned 36 credits so far and more to come shortly. I've decided to go ahead and apply to EC this week. I probably won't actually enroll for at least a few months, till I get some more of the gen. ed. and core exams out of the way.

I've been out of work for awhile and even though I have a ton of experience, I don't have anything in my resume under education except high school and a few company training classes. I plan on getting a BS in business (not sure about the concentration yet).

My question is could and should I put this on my resume, and how exactly should I word it if I do? Thanks for any advice.

Patrick

[blueberry]

I had the same issue as you. Under education, I put highschool, and then the name of the college that I am earning my degree from, and the year I will be complete (in this case, 2009). The only thing is, I will be done by August, so it's pretty much a done deal. Maybe you could write something like 'pursuing a BS at EC, anticipated graduation 2010' or whatever.

Hope this helps.

[MCunningham]

I've usually put "Pursuing a Bachelor's in Business Administration through {insert institution]" or "Have earned XX credits towards a Bachelor's in Business Administration".

MC

[cookderosa]

I've earned 36 credits so far and more to come shortly. I've decided to go ahead and apply to EC this week. I probably won't actually enroll for at least a few months, till I get some more of the gen. ed. and core exams out of the way.

I've been out of work for awhile and even though I have a ton of experience, I don't have anything in my resume under education except high school and a few company training classes. I plan on getting a BS in business (not sure about the concentration yet).

My question is could and should I put this on my resume, and how exactly should I word it if I do? Thanks for any advice.

Patrick

>>

OF COURSE!!! Yes!
You are "in progress" and so you can list it as such. I was very motivated when I updated my resume- I thought to myself, I like the way this looks, I better keep going so I don't have to take it off! LOL
Seriously, it is 100% proper to include. (also, there is a big controversy as to putting on dates or leaving them off- it's considered an age discrimination issue- do what you want :O I leave mine on)
Whatever format you use for one, use for all. Use bold but never underline if you are sending electronically.

Here is a copy/paste from mine- I used bullets (that didn't copy/paste here the right way), but really you can do it any way you want. I have the word "credit" on several of these because I have another section for non-credit work. I know you are just getting rolling, but as you get 10, 20, 30 years experiences- you'll have racked up a lot of trainings. If I were you, I would include them all as long as you could keep your resume to 1 page.

Harvard University, College of Continuing Education, Cambridge, MA
 Graduate credit coursework. 2009
• GPA 4.0 out of 4.0

Thomas Edison State College, Trenton, NJ
 AA Associate of Arts Degree, Liberal Arts. 2008
 BA Bachelor of Arts Degree, Social Science. 2008
• GPA 3.87 out of 4.0 (Honors)
• Arnold Fletcher Award

Black Hawk College, Moline, IL
 Credit. Undergraduate Transfer Coursework. 2007
• GPA 4.0 out of 4.0

University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
 Credit. Undergraduate Transfer Coursework. 1992
• GPA 3.7 out of 4.0

The Culinary Institute Of America, Hyde Park, NY
 AOS Associate of Occupational Studies Degree, Culinary Arts. 1990
• GPA 3.3 out of 4.0
• Judiciary Award

[perrik]

I've usually put "Pursuing a Bachelor's in Business Administration through {insert institution]" or "Have earned XX credits towards a Bachelor's in Business Administration".

I'd opt for the former, because it shows that you're actively pursuing the degree. The latter might mean that you're enrolled, or that you earned those credits a decade ago and dropped out.

Another version of the former is "pursuing BS in Business Administration at {institution name}, expected completion date XX/XX."

I'd vote for putting something in the education line about your continuing education. You'll still be rejected by automated resume scanners programmed to require a "yes" for the "do you have at least a bachelor's degree" question; if that's not a limitation, then the recruiter will see that you've got a degree in progress.

Note to the OP: until you're officially enrolled at Excelsior, do NOT add the line to your resume!

[malcs]

I agree with the statements above.

I add the following comments. Some may be outside of the scope of your original question:

1) Dump the high school line, that draws attention to your education.
2) As above, Excelsior College BSxx - Expected graduation 2010
3) Be agressive on your expected graduation date (2010?)
4) Do not give away the exact number of credits on your resume. You want to get engaged in a conversation with the employer. Let him/her assume you are closer just to get that face time.
5) Maybe consider spending a few days doing those FEMA credits to get your number of credits higher, even if they will not all count towards your major. It sounds better when you have more credits.
6) Consider getting whatever degree comes first. If BSLS with a bunch of FEMA credits and other stuff get you there first, go for it. Then persue an MBA or a second degree. The main thing is to be able to check off "4 year degree".
7) Get your AS degree along the way
8) USE THE POAG DISCOUNT/DEFERMENT and enroll at EC ASAP. You can enroll for $150 and pay up at graduation if you don't meet the 12 credit EC course requirement. Go to Peace Officer Association of Georgia - Representing The Peace Officer's of Georgia, and click on the EC icon to view the program; join as an associate member with paypal for $20; submit a faxed in enrollment application with POAG written on it and write in the discounted enrollment fee.
9) Applying to EC does little for you. They really don't care about you till you enroll. The biggest hurdle in getting accepted is having your prior schools send your transcripts. Chase them down on a weekly basis until they all arrive at EC.


I just went through the same process that you are going through. I got my PMP management certificate and 46 credits in three months. I am finally getting a whole bunch of responses to my resume. Getting the degree will pay off big time!

[codface]

Ok, thanks everybody for the great advice! The reason I just want to apply and not enroll just yet is, of course, money. I take it that after I apply to EC ($75), I'll have to get my clep and dsst scores sent over, I think that's $20 for each transcript.

Question: Once applied, not enrolled, can further clep and dsst results be sent directly to EC? I, of course, have not been sending them anywhere as of yet.

Will I have to open a "credit bank" with EC?

Yes, I could go ahead and get the POAG discount, and pay the $150 to enroll (I take it that I enroll AFTER applying and getting the initial review of my credits). I'm just worried that I might not be able to complete the degree in a year's time and have to pay extra to extend.

I wouldn't mind taking FEMA to bump up my credits, but I've read that it's like $60 per credit to transfer thru FCC to EC. That's more expensive than cleps and dsst's.

As far as my resume, I do like "Excelsior College BSxx - Expected graduation 2010" or something similar. It may be a risk to add that while I've only applied and not enrolled, but if it helps gets me some interviews, I'll take that chance. Money's tight with me being out of work and if it helps me get my foot in the door somewhere, I'll do it.

Patrick

[cookderosa]

Ok, thanks everybody for the great advice! The reason I just want to apply and not enroll just yet is, of course, money. I take it that after I apply to EC ($75), I'll have to get my clep and dsst scores sent over, I think that's $20 for each transcript.

Just to be clear- you will send The College Board one check for $20 and you will get a transcript listing ALL OF YOUR exams.

Question: Once applied, not enrolled, can further clep and dsst results be sent directly to EC? I, of course, have not been sending them anywhere as of yet.

Yes, and save a future $20

Will I have to open a "credit bank" with EC?

No, and it's a total waste of money- it's not an official "transcript" and it does nothing for you unless you have a unique work or military situation where someone is requesting floater credits be in one place because they can't add one transcript plus one transcript.

Yes, I could go ahead and get the POAG discount, and pay the $150 to enroll (I take it that I enroll AFTER applying and getting the initial review of my credits). I'm just worried that I might not be able to complete the degree in a year's time and have to pay extra to extend.

I wouldn't mind taking FEMA to bump up my credits, but I've read that it's like $60 per credit to transfer thru FCC to EC. That's more expensive than cleps and dsst's.

As far as my resume, I do like "Excelsior College BSxx - Expected graduation 2010" or something similar. It may be a risk to add that while I've only applied and not enrolled, but if it helps gets me some interviews, I'll take that chance. Money's tight with me being out of work and if it helps me get my foot in the door somewhere, I'll do it.

Patrick

[malcs]

It may cost you a few more bucks, but I would enroll at EC for your AS degree and get that under your belt first. That will clearly move you away from being seen as only a high school graduate.

The reason why the AS degree is so important is the fact that most job applications are web based, and there is a box that asks for highest degree. The ability to enter a 2 year degree in this box will make a big difference for you over entering "high school". Having that degree may get your resume routed to someone who will read it.

I would pick liberal science for its flexibility, and push some FEMA credits through Thomas Edison credit bank. I believe that Thomas Edison will charge you $300 for up to 60 credits transferred. If you CLEP a course per week, and do the FEMAs, you could go from 36 to 60 credits in two months, providing that your credits follow some kind of plan.

Another thing to consider is that if you are accepted but not enrolled you will get meaningless, non-binding advice from EC. It is totally worthless. They give you an evaluation that is as informative as a cereal box, and they don't give you access to the real advisors.