Putting bachelors on resume before completion?

quickman007

I've started at WGU this past Thursday and my cousin (who has been in IT for 15 years and was a hiring manager) mentioned that I should put my bachelors on my resume with the expected graduation date. I've never been the type of person to put anything I didn't have on my resume, so it's just a weird idea for me. Is this the norm? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks!

danny069

This is normal yes. You started your Bachelor's program, so you're already enrolled and I'm sure you've completed a lot of courses already. There's nothing wrong with putting the start date, and the expected date of graduation. There is something wrong for example if you list expired certifications, or currently studying for this certification (self-study) because you could be studying forever. A degree program is different because you are expected to take classes in consecutive order without, if small, break. There is a timeline where you are expected to finish granted by the institution, whereas self-studying for a certification, the timeline is appointed by yourself. Not to say you can't do the same with a college degree (take 10 years to finish), but you get my reasoning. I have my Master's program listed on my resume as 8/16-8/17 for example. So I think you should put it on your resume.

thomas_

The usual answer on this forum is to put an expected graduation date on your resume for college.

*Opens can of worms*

However, people tend to freak out on here when you ask if it's ok to put a cert in progress on your resume.

cyberguypr

Agree with danny, this is absolutely normal. Actually I would find extremely weird that someone is going through a degree and doesn't list it on the resume.

quickman007

Awesome, thanks for the answer! I'm really hoping this will help get some interviews. Hopefully Wednesday I'll be knocking out the Project+ (holy geez is that cert boring!) so I can add that to my resume as well.

twodogs62

Yes, put degree and expected graduation. Especially if you are getting close to finishing.
if just starting and you completed courses, maybe put courses and show them completed.
but for sure if you do, put expected grad date so it shows you are serious about completing.
but, also don't make resume too long.

markulous

I would. I put my Master's on there and expected completion date. Every interview they ask me about it too.