The process of writing a resume while actively pursuing a degree presents a unique challenge for job seekers. Applicants must accurately represent their current academic status without confusing hiring managers or misrepresenting their qualifications. This guide provides clear, professional guidelines for formatting and presenting ongoing education. Understanding how to integrate academic progress with professional experience is a necessary step toward securing interviews.
Why Highlight an In-Progress Degree?
Including an actively pursued degree offers a strategic advantage by demonstrating a strong commitment to professional development and continuous learning. It signals to potential employers that the candidate is currently engaged in rigorous study and acquiring up-to-date knowledge in their field. This forward-looking entry establishes the applicant’s relevance to roles that require specialized technical or theoretical understanding. The presence of an in-progress degree confirms that the applicant is actively building a defined skill set directly applicable to the job description. It helps bridge any perceived experience gaps by showing tangible effort being made toward formal qualifications.
Proper Placement of the Education Section
The location of the education section on a resume should be dictated by the applicant’s current career stage and overall professional experience. For current students or recent graduates with limited professional work history, the education section should appear directly beneath the contact information and summary statement. Placing it near the top emphasizes academic achievements and ongoing studies as the primary qualification for entry-level roles. Conversely, for experienced professionals returning to school or pursuing an advanced degree, the education section should move toward the bottom of the document. In this scenario, professional experience, job titles, and accomplishments hold greater weight and require placement above the academic details.
Essential Details for the Degree Entry
The entry for an in-progress degree must contain three mandatory elements. Begin by clearly stating the full name of the university or college, followed immediately by the city and state where the institution is located. This establishes the credibility and geographic context of the education. Directly underneath the institution, the full and formal degree name must be listed, avoiding abbreviations where possible. For instance, write “Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering” rather than “B.S. in Comp Eng.” This level of specificity ensures the reader understands the exact discipline being studied.
The most important detail for an ongoing program is the expected graduation date, which must be clearly indicated to avoid the impression of a completed degree. Use professional phrasing such as “Expected: May 20XX” or “Anticipated Graduation: Spring 20XX.” Never list the start date alone or leave the date blank, as this creates ambiguity about the program’s status. Maintaining this precise format ensures the degree entry instantly conveys all necessary academic status information.
Maximizing Impact with Optional Information
After including the required details, applicants can significantly enhance the degree entry by strategically adding optional information that aligns with the target job description. The Grade Point Average (GPA) should only be included if it is highly competitive, generally considered to be 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale. If the GPA falls below this threshold, it is better to omit it entirely. Relevant coursework can be presented to demonstrate specific technical knowledge or specialized skills acquired during the program. This should be a curated selection of three to five advanced courses directly applicable to the responsibilities of the role. Honors, scholarships, or academic awards that have already been secured should also be listed to further substantiate academic excellence, such as Dean’s List recognition or a specific departmental scholarship. To maximize the impact, use one or two concise bullet points beneath the degree entry to highlight specific, transferable skills developed during the program, directly linking the academic experience to professional capabilities.
Addressing Unique Scenarios
When a degree program was started but later discontinued without a current enrollment status, it should generally be omitted from the resume, especially if it is not directly relevant to the current job application. If the coursework is highly relevant, the applicant may briefly list the institution and the number of credits completed, but must clearly state “Coursework Only” without an expected graduation date. For students who have transferred between multiple institutions while pursuing the same degree, the focus should remain on the school from which the degree will ultimately be conferred. List the current or final institution prominently with the expected graduation date. Prior institutions should only be mentioned if significant coursework was completed there that is highly relevant to the target role.
Certifications or specialized training being pursued simultaneously with the degree should be listed either in a dedicated “Certifications” section or immediately following the degree entry. The entry must specify that the certification is “In Progress” or “Scheduled for [Date]” to maintain accuracy.