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How to explain a weird education issue on resume?

Here's my situation, with a bit of backstory:

When I was in college, I designed my own major. I had to get approval for all the courses which counted toward my major, which I did. Then I found out, a month before graduation, that the committee in charge of this had gone back and rejected a particular course I'd transferred in from another college.

I wasn't able to convince them to re-allow it, or allow another course. The next suitable course that wasn't a repeat of something I'd already taken wouldn't be til the spring of the following year, and meanwhile my scholarship money had run out.

Due to the fact that I had prior approval, in writing, for the class, I decided to fight the issue legally, which is still ongoing, 1.5 years later. By now, obviously I wish I'd just taken out another loan and done the other class, but money was (and is) really tight and I just couldn't afford it.

In the meantime, I have a job as a manager of a retail store. It's an okay job, but this isn't what I want to do with the rest of my life.

My question is, how on earth do I present this info when I apply for other jobs? I don't want to lie on my resume and say I have a degree that I don't technically have. But I also don't want to indicate that I have no college degree when I completed 4 years at a good school with a 3.6 GPA, and have the transcript to prove it. So how can I explain the issue?

Any help is appreciated!

Megan asked in Un/Employment about 1 year ago | Report
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3 Answers

  • Hey_girl_hey_small
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    The solution is relatively easy. Simply list that your degree is still in process. List the number of years/credits that you have completed and your estimated graduation date.

    If you are asked about it during the course of an interview or phone-screen simply state that you are in the process of having credits transferred/approved and will be issued your degree when that process is complete.

    There is no need to go into a long, drawn-out explanation; to do so might raise a red flag with the prospective employer.

    Dan Williams answered in Un/Employment about 1 year ago | Report
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  • Picture_of_me_small
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    I agree with Dan's answer. List the years you attended college and that your degree is in progress. Often it will say BA, BA means 4 years of college, which you have. Also list your GPA;and major if it is relevant to your job search.

    careers answered in Un/Employment about 1 year ago | Report
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  • Img_3620_small
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    I agree with Dan.The more you say about it, the more defensive it can sound.

    I had a client a couple of years ago who thought she'd completed her degree and, only after a background check conducted by a prospective, discovered she hadn't(1 class short,which she thought she'd done). She called her university and ultimately negotiated with them to do 2 months of independent study and write a paper, and she completed her degree.

    I'd suggest you call your university and see what you can arrange with them. You might find them open to helping you work that out.

    Maria Escobar-Bordyn answered in Un/Employment about 1 year ago | Report
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