Listing continuing education classes on your resume

A reader writes:

"I know you have answered questions about putting specific classes & classes you will be taking in the future on your resume, but my question is slightly different... I am taking a gap year between high school and college and I don't have much education on my resume other than HS and an academic summer program. Although I'm not a "student" right now, I am taking two classes right now (continuing education courses) that are relevant to the places I am applying for internships/entry level jobs. If I list the classes at all, I'd do it upon completion. Should I do this at all? If so, how would that look? I am taking them at two different schools..."

You are a student if you are currently enrolled in continuing education classes and those classes are relevant to the things you are applying to. It is totally appropriate to list both "in progress" schools on your resume under Education. It might look something like this:

Education
ABC Community College & City College of XYZ
Event Planning Continuing Education
Spring 05/2012

• Relevant Coursework: Venue Contract Negotiations, Hospitality Management

Alternately, if you didn't want to list them on your resume, you can talk about the classes you are currently taking in your cover letter and how its relevant to the position, similar to this example.

Good luck making the most out of your gap year!

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.