Gaining ongoing education and continuously updating your skills is crucial in today’s rapidly evolving job market. Whether you’re pursuing a degree, attending workshops, or participating in online courses, incorporating your ongoing education into your resume can demonstrate your commitment to professional growth. This guide will provide you with tips and examples to effectively showcase your ongoing education in both formal and informal ways.
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Formal Ways to Include Ongoing Education
When it comes to highlighting ongoing education on your resume, it’s important to ensure clarity and professionalism. Here are several formal ways to accomplish this:
1. Create a “Education” or “Professional Development” Section
One common approach is to dedicate a section specifically to your ongoing education. This can be placed after your academic qualifications or work experience:
Education
- Master of Business Administration (MBA), XYZ University, 20XX – Present (Expected Graduation: 20XX)
2. Incorporate Ongoing Education within Each Relevant Job Description
If the courses you are undertaking directly relate to specific positions or industries, you can mention them in the descriptions of the corresponding work experiences:
Marketing Assistant, Company XYZ
- Implemented successful social media campaigns while pursuing ongoing education in digital marketing strategies.
Informal Ways to Include Ongoing Education
Sometimes, formal methods don’t quite fit the desired flow or format of your resume. In such cases, you can consider more informal ways to showcase your ongoing education:
1. Create a “Skills” Section
If your ongoing education mainly focuses on developing specific skills, you can create a dedicated section to highlight these skills:
Skills
- Proficient in Adobe Photoshop (Advanced Certification in progress)
2. Include a Relevant Summary Statement
Including a summary statement at the beginning of your resume offers an informal way to mention ongoing education that aligns with your career goals:
Summary
An enthusiastic and skilled IT professional currently pursuing ongoing education in cybersecurity to better protect organizations from emerging threats.
Tips for Including Ongoing Education on Your Resume
When including ongoing education on your resume, consider these tips to make the most impact:
1. Emphasize Relevance
Highlight ongoing education that directly relates to the position or industry you are targeting. Employers are more interested in the skills and knowledge you gain that can be applied to the job.
2. Note Expected Completion
If you are currently pursuing a degree or certification, mention the anticipated graduation or completion date. This helps employers understand your timeline and commitment to continuing education.
3. Include Certifications or Achievements
If you have earned any certifications or achieved notable milestones during your ongoing education, be sure to list them. This demonstrates your dedication and progress in your chosen field.
4. Be Honest and Transparent
While noting ongoing education is important, avoid exaggerations or fabrications. Only include education that is truly underway or completed.
Examples of Ongoing Education on a Resume
Let’s take a look at a couple of example phrases that incorporate ongoing education:
Example 1:
- Currently pursuing an online course on UX Design to enhance user-centric design approaches.
Example 2:
- Actively participating in workshops and conferences on leadership and team management.
Remember, these examples can be adapted to fit your specific educational experiences.
With these tips and examples, you can confidently showcase your ongoing education on your resume. Remember to tailour your approach based on the nature of the education and the specific requirements of the job you’re applying for. Continually investing in your professional development demonstrates your dedication to growth and improvement in your field.
