By Marcia Powers
Contributor, Career Services
Presenting your education on your resume should be a piece of cake, right? Although it seems pretty straightforward, there’s a little more to it than plopping your school and degree program on paper. To make a great impression, your “Education” section should be orderly and accurate, and include additional information only if it’s relevant to your target position.
What type of education should be included?
Reserve your “Education” section to list your degree and certificate information from accredited colleges and universities. You do not need to include your GED or high school diploma if post-secondary education is listed.
If you have relevant certifications or job-related trainings you would like to include, consider creating a separate section on your resume for organizing these credentials.
Always use your official degree title.
List your full, official degree program on your resume. If you are unsure of your official degree title, check your diploma or call your school for confirmation. Many job seekers make the mistake of listing “Bachelor of Science” when they really have a “Bachelor of Arts” (or vice versa). In addition, be sure that you are using the correct name of your degree program. For example, do not list that you have a degree in Environmental Science if your program was actually Environmental Studies.
Do not include a full, comprehensive listing of your completed coursework.
In some circumstances, it may be advantageous to include a few relevant courses beneath your degree listing, as this can help demonstrate your competency in a certain subject. If you must list previous coursework, be selective and only include a small number of courses which directly relate to your target position. Listing too many courses can clutter up your resume and become a distraction.
Include your GPA and honors.
Some internship programs and recent graduate opportunities may require you to list your GPA on your resume; however, this information is typically optional. If you earned a high GPA (3.5 and above) or received academic honors, consider highlighting these academic accomplishments beside your degree information.
List additional information, such as special projects.
You may include additional academic information, such as special research projects, if it relates to your target field. For example, your senior seminar project on Integrated Pest Management might impress an employer if you are applying to orchard horticulturist positions.
You worked hard to earn your college degree, so don’t miss out on an opportunity to let it shine on your resume!
About the Author
Marcia attended the University of Minnesota – Duluth where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in History. After graduation, Marcia decided to serve in the AmeriCorps, where she discovered her passion for helping others achieve their academic and career goals. Deciding that higher education was the right path for her, Marcia gained experience in Admissions and Financial Aid before transitioning to Career Services at American Public University System (APUS). As a career coach at APUS, Marcia’s industries of focus are emergency and disaster management, homeland security, criminal justice, and security management. Marcia currently resides in West Virginia and enjoys spending her free time hiking, fishing, and camping with her family and friends.
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