🎓 Education

✅ Required Information

• School name
• Dates of attendance
• Major
• Degree

🟨 Optional Information

• GPA (only if above average)
• TA experience (only for CS or Engineering courses)
• Relevant coursework
• Academic awards (Dean’s list, scholarships, etc.)
• Extracurricular activities related to CS/Engineering/Leadership

👩‍🎓 For Entry-Level

• The Education section is crucial for recent graduates, as it may be one of the few ways to demonstrate your qualifications. Your CS degree or school name still holds significance.
• In the U.S., internship experience and having a CS major are two of the most important factors for new graduates.
• Networking is highly valued in the U.S., so academic background and connections often play a bigger role in hiring decisions compared to other countries.
• If you’ve worked as a TA (Teaching Assistant) for CS or software engineering courses, be sure to include it in the Education section.
• Even if you didn’t do much teaching, TA experience is still valuable for entry-level candidates, as resume reviewers likely won’t scrutinize the depth of your TA responsibilities.
• If you have a CS degree from a well-known school, it’s a good idea to place the Education section at the top of your resume to highlight your qualifications immediately.

👩‍💻 For Experienced

• The importance of the Education section decreases as your work experience grows.
• If you have more than 5 years of experience, it’s best to only list your school name, dates, major, and degree.
• Significant achievements (e.g., Summa Cum Laude) can still be included if relevant.

⚠️ Important Notes

• Ensure the degree title on your resume is accurate, as many companies verify this during the background check process.
• This verification can occur regardless of the company’s size, as they often rely on third-party background check services.
• If you earned your degree outside the U.S., it’s crucial to provide accurate details, as background check companies often collaborate with local organizations to verify credentials.
• For example, during my own background check, even though I submitted an English version of my degree, the company still contacted my foreign university directly to confirm its authenticity.
• If you have a master’s degree or higher that’s relevant to the role, consider briefly mentioning your thesis.
• For research positions, it’s a good idea to include a separate section detailing your research and publications.