The process of building a professional resume presents a unique challenge for current college students, whose most recent and relevant credential is a degree still in progress. Structuring the education section accurately and persuasively is paramount for those seeking internships or entry-level roles. Successfully navigating this process requires a clear understanding of how to present academic data, ensuring the document provides maximum impact while maintaining strict honesty about the student’s current status. The way a student frames their ongoing studies can significantly influence a recruiter’s perception of their preparedness and potential.
Determining Education Section Placement
For most students still pursuing their undergraduate degrees, the education section should be placed prominently near the top of the resume, typically following the contact information and a brief professional summary. This positioning is favored because academic training and the degree being sought represent the most current and relevant qualifications an applicant possesses for an entry-level position or internship. Placing the education details high on the page ensures a recruiter immediately understands the applicant’s academic trajectory and field of study.
The primary exception occurs when a student possesses several years of relevant professional experience. In these cases, the Experience section should take precedence, appearing immediately after the summary. The Education section should then be moved toward the bottom of the document. This change in hierarchy visually communicates that professional accomplishments are the applicant’s strongest selling point.
Essential Information for an Incomplete Degree
Listing an incomplete degree requires a precise format to ensure clarity and avoid any potential misrepresentation. The entry must begin with the official name of the institution, followed by its location, specifying the city and state. Directly beneath this, the full and formal degree title must be stated, such as “Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering,” along with the declared major and any minors.
The most important detail for an in-progress degree is the expected date of completion, which must be clearly labeled with the word “Expected.” For example, this detail should appear as “Expected May 20XX.” Using the qualifier “Expected” is necessary, as it communicates to the employer that the degree has not yet been conferred and maintains the integrity of the application.
Highlighting Achievements and Relevant Coursework
Beyond the core academic details, students can strengthen their resume by including optional data points that function as strong selling points. Academic recognition, such as Latin honors, Dean’s List mentions, or induction into relevant honors societies, should be included if they reflect sustained high performance. A student’s grade point average (GPA) should only be listed if it is strong, typically meaning a 3.0 or higher, as a lower GPA can detract from otherwise impressive qualifications.
The inclusion of specific coursework provides valuable insight into the depth of a student’s knowledge. Students should list three to five upper-division courses that are directly relevant to the target job or internship, moving beyond generic introductory classes. Naming specific courses like “Advanced Financial Modeling” demonstrates specialized training. These academic additions should be included only if they reinforce the applicant’s qualifications and align directly with the position’s requirements.
Navigating Specific Academic Situations
Transfer Students
Students who have transferred institutions should list their current, degree-granting university first, following the standard format for an in-progress degree. The previous institution should generally only be included if the student earned an associate’s degree there or completed a significant amount of relevant, specialized coursework that directly supports the current application. When including the previous school, it should be listed in reverse chronological order below the current one. The focus must remain on the current school where the degree will be conferred.
Students with Significant Professional Experience
When an applicant has several years of relevant, full-time professional experience, the Education section serves a secondary, supporting role to the work history. The education listing should be concise, focusing only on the name of the institution, the degree, and the expected date of graduation. Academic achievements, such as Dean’s List or honors, should be omitted to ensure the work history maintains precedence.
Students Pursuing Dual Degrees or Certifications
Applicants pursuing concurrent academic programs, such as a dual major, a dual degree, or a degree alongside a professional certification, must structure their listing for maximum clarity. Both programs should be listed side-by-side or stacked immediately beneath the institution name, ensuring the relationship between the two is obvious. For instance, a student might list “Bachelor of Science in Finance and Bachelor of Arts in Economics” followed by the single expected graduation date. If the certification has a different completion timeline, it should be listed separately.
Common Mistakes and What to Omit
A frequent error students make is including high school information, which is unnecessary once a student has begun their college career. The high school diploma or attendance is superseded by the college-level work and should be removed entirely to save space and maintain a professional focus. Recruiters are interested in a candidate’s most recent and advanced training.
Students must avoid vague or misleading descriptions of their academic status, such as implying a degree is complete when it is not, or using ambiguous terms like “in progress” without a specific expected date. Coursework that is listed should be highly targeted; including an extensive list of general education classes or courses with low grades only dilutes the overall academic presentation. Finally, the listed GPA must be the official figure. Providing an inflated number is an error that can severely undermine an applicant’s credibility if discovered during a background check.