I am updating my resume, and I am thinking of removing that dates in the education section. I know a lot of people leave the dates of their resume because they are afraid of age discrimination, and distance learning discrimination. I am just wondering how many people on here do not have dates in the education section on their resume. Also how do you guys feel about resumes with no dates in the education section?
For my part it seems to be a non-issue. All of the jobs on my resume that count for anything post-date my Masters degree so, even if I left off the dates from the education section one could figure out when I earned my degrees (within a couple of years). My advice: try not to worry about such things. Jack
When I was in my 20's, I would use the dates. They helped explain where I was doing what when. Now, at 45, I've removed them. No one has ever, ever asked me when I earned my degrees.
Shortly after I earned my Masters, I was on an interview. I didn't have my dates on my degrees. One of the managers interviewing me was a youngin. He looked at my MBA, snorted, and said something to the effect that things had changed in the business world, especially the tech business world, sin I earned my Masters, so it was likely my education would be of little use to the company. When it came time for me to ask questions, I asked how he liked the company, how long he had been there, etc. Seems he worked for a year after his MBA elsewhere and joined this company several years before. Essentially, he had been out of school for about 5 years. It was then I let him know my MBA was about 4 years NEWER than his. When I was laid off, I was doing my job search through an organization called ProMatch in Sunnyvale. The real name was Experience Unlimited, a governmental program between NOVA and EDD in California. In most parts of the state, Experience Unlimited gets little funding because the managementinvolved believe professionals do not need job search assistance. However, the program is quite popular and quite effective here. Any-who, I was part of the resume team. What we suggested was that if the degree were older, then it wan't necessary to put hte date. However, if it were a newer degree, definitely show it because: 1) It shows initiative that you keep yourself up to date 2) You have up to date knowledge like the younger new grads, but with the wisdom of experience. You may not get more money in this job market, but it will give you the edge. Besides, this is only a cyle (darn long one, but still a cycle). We will start to see unemployment drop and eventually wage pressures in some sectors of the economy.
blahetka Check out your webpage - nicely done. What part of the tech were you in? I leave out dates for degrees. I earned my first degree in 1985 but that is not important. I feel that the degree only enhances your job understanding and ability, but doesn't make you a better engineer or businessperson. I have met some Stanford EE's who couldn't design the simpliest of PDU, and the kid from DeVry-Phoenix would could design a semiconductor chip. It is all how you use it. I feel the MBA opens the doors, after that, it is up to you. Do you teach now or are you still in the tech industry?
What part of tech? I did several things over the years, but it matters not because I left it! I've been out of tech nearly 3 years. The only thing I miss is the international aspect of the work. My fave position was with the international group of a (no longer in existence) computer company. I was teaching Int'l Bidniz and Stats at UoPhx. I stopped in March or April. I may go back as an adjunct somewhere (definitely NOT UoPhx), but I'm in no hurry. I've plenty to keep me out of trouble. If I did go back, I may do the CC thing (DeAnza perhaps). When I retire in about 20 years I plan to find a small school somewhere and teach a couple classes a week.
Ahh - looks like you left the tech about the same time the semi industry imploded (which was slightly after the dotcom implosion). I went to the SJ UoP Campus next to Crisco. Not a bad program - some of the instructors were decent, some were not (the VB teacher had never coded in VB). If I had to do it all again, I would have gone to Cogswell or DeVry. I have thought about teaching on the side once I complete my MBA. I was looking into perhaps UoP or some of the smaller for-profit schools in the area (Sequoia Institute, Heald, Silicon Valley College, etc.). Any advice on how to break into the industry? I have been an engineer/tech for so long I need to get out and about and do other things. (Marketing anyone?) Cheers W.
Dates shouldn't be necessary on the education section of your resume, but it may raise a few eyebrows and make the reader wonder why the dates have been omitted. If you work with recruiters you'll very likely be asked to provide a date for them. The reason for this is that recruiters usually verify a degree (or pay a service to verify a degree) before marketing a candidate, or referring a candidate to a previously contracted position. As a side note, the date you may not be asked is the year you graduated high school. That date is much more useful in determining age than a college graduation date.
If I put my HS grad gee ashun date on my resume I might be asked if I knew what a computin' machine was. My kids felt it was easier for me to study economics because when i was a kid we probably used clams for money, and that history was easier because there was a whole lot less of it. My eldest son (now 31) came home all excited when he started 6th grade because they were going to learn early American history, "You know dad, all about Kennedy and stuff." Cosmic
I am lucky, even though I am 43, I look about 35 and still have all of my hair. If I colored it, I would probably pass for 30. Although it would be hard to substanitate 20 years of engineering/technical and LE experience for a 30 year old - (LOL).
Clams? We had dry twigs for our medium of exchange and were lucky to get it! And we had to walk 10 miles through the snow to get them, and it was uphill both ways!
