How do you explain to potential employers?

[High_Order1]

I know, vague title. Sorry!


I'm following the path blazed here by y'all (for those that don't know, I am taking accredited college courses via several non-college sources, then I will apply them to a college at a later time).

When I am applying for work, and it's part time, I ask for flexibility, because I'm trying to complete a degree. I am preplanning, for instance the DSST center near me only does it on certain days, and I want them to know I am trying to make myself a better employee.

The obvious question comes up - where are you going?

Technically, I suppose I am going nowhere. If there is a dropdown box in the application software for college name, what would I put? How would I describe what I'm doing with an air of legitimacy?

Because I'm not 'screwing around just taking some online courses' as one person summed my efforts up... lol

[mednat]

I know, vague title. Sorry!


I'm following the path blazed here by y'all (for those that don't know, I am taking accredited college courses via several non-college sources, then I will apply them to a college at a later time).

When I am applying for work, and it's part time, I ask for flexibility, because I'm trying to complete a degree. I am preplanning, for instance the DSST center near me only does it on certain days, and I want them to know I am trying to make myself a better employee.

The obvious question comes up - where are you going?

Technically, I suppose I am going nowhere. If there is a dropdown box in the application software for college name, what would I put? How would I describe what I'm doing with an air of legitimacy?

Because I'm not 'screwing around just taking some online courses' as one person summed my efforts up... lol

I find it's best to not explain. Just say you're going to school, and you can tell them you're going to COSC, TESU, or wherever you're going (or will be going). I think we feel like we need to explain our process, but it's completely unnecessary. I would not explain my CLEP credits or other test outs if I were in a traditional program, so I don't find it necessary to explain them in a complete test out situation.

With the advent of online classes, non fixed schedules are not uncommon for students. I wouldn't bother going down the path to explain what you're doing, i'd just ask for time off to take a test for a class. If they want to know why you need that time, just say it's proctored.

The exception to this is if they review the transcript and ask. In this situation, they are likely more familiar with school policies and I'd just explain that I self-studied and tested out of the degree. I believe in being fully open/honest about my degree, but I've found everyone just glazes over when I explain the method -- and the more I thought about it the more I realized that no one explains that when they are asked about their degree. They don't tell me they went to two online classes, then sat in a lecture hall, then took an exam. They are zoning out usually, because it's extraneous information.

[Al2010x]

I will simply put Thomas Edison State University as that is where you are planing on applying eventually. I will also ask them for leniency for testing schedule. Clear this in an interview.

[davewill]

You're going to TESU (or wherever you're planning to get your degree), the classes are online, and occasionally you have to go to a testing center during business hours to take an exam. Don't give give them more info than they need. If they express interest and you feel like talking about it, then go into more depth.

[kalishakti]

Remember, don’t just explain, but actively highlight and promote your efforts in interviews Self-planning, self-teaching, self-motivating and self-funding (GI Bill, scholarships, grants etc count as self-funding also) your education should be a point of pride for everyone on this forum. It shows employers that you have organization, time management and project management skills, are a motivated self-starter, can work with a conservative budget, and are willing to “think outside the box” to solve problems. All of the above are highly valued in the business, IT and education fields, to name a few.

I actually had a question on an application questionnaire that asked what percentage of my education was self-funded (it specified that self-funded included out-of-pocket payment, military/veteran assistance, grants, scholarships and work-study, but excluded loans, gifts and parent/family payments.)

[rebel100]

You guys seem to share more than I do. I used to explain it all and realized that for the most part they have absolutely no idea what I'm talking about. People can only relate their experience, most managers I know had a pretty much traditional degree path...no need to explain or validate. Tell them you're completing a program at COSC or TESU (put it on the resume too). If it comes up explain that you need time, but that it's pretty flexible....and let their own preconceived notions fill in the blanks unless they ask for more. If they ask for more, just explain away...in my experience the vast majority will not notice or care.

[TrailRunr]

Why do you need flexibility? You should be able to complete your education on your own time with online courses and the occasional brick and mortar evening class. I work full-time, and I don't ask for flexibility. As long as I can get the occasional day off for doctors, dentists, and DSST, I'm good. I don't tell the boss why I'm taking the day off. It's none of their business. If you ask for flexibility beyond the occasional day off that most people need, they might choose someone that's easier to schedule.

I would not volunteer information about education other than being a student at TESU unless asked explicitly. I don't like telling anyone how I tested out a good chunk of my degree. Testing out is going to sound bad to a lot of people. I know you're proud of your education efforts, but I believe it's better to keep it to yourself. It's a checkbox degree, not a degree from Harvard.

[cookderosa]

I know, vague title. Sorry!


I'm following the path blazed here by y'all (for those that don't know, I am taking accredited college courses via several non-college sources, then I will apply them to a college at a later time).

When I am applying for work, and it's part time, I ask for flexibility, because I'm trying to complete a degree. I am preplanning, for instance the DSST center near me only does it on certain days, and I want them to know I am trying to make myself a better employee.

The obvious question comes up - where are you going?

Technically, I suppose I am going nowhere. If there is a dropdown box in the application software for college name, what would I put? How would I describe what I'm doing with an air of legitimacy?

Because I'm not 'screwing around just taking some online courses' as one person summed my efforts up... lol

Huh? I'm confused.
First off, asking for flexibility before you've even been hired is pretty lame- I don't mean to be offensive, but the job is the job. If it's not a fit, you shouldn't accept it. Just my 2 cents on that part.

The question: Where are you going? Who is asking this, when and why? This is TMI. If you're not enrolled anywhere, don't put anything down on your application. If you are enrolled, then list your school. Since you technically are going nowhere, leave the school part blank until you're enrolled as a degree seeking student (because they could ask for an enrollment verification- like when you get a good student discount on insurance)

There is no air of legitimacy, what a strange phrase. Listen, I am sure this sounds harsh, but just enroll somewhere and call it done. You shouldn't even be bringing this up at a job interview. It's completely irrelevant.

EDIT to add- all the sharing and talking and obsessing can happen here, this is a safe place for that. We are your cheerleaders, not your employer. :hurray: <-- see, I'm cheering for you

[soliloquy]

Huh? I'm confused.
First off, asking for flexibility before you've even been hired is pretty lame- I don't mean to be offensive, but the job is the job. If it's not a fit, you shouldn't accept it. Just my 2 cents on that part.

The question: Where are you going? Who is asking this, when and why? This is TMI. If you're not enrolled anywhere, don't put anything down on your application. If you are enrolled, then list your school. Since you technically are going nowhere, leave the school part blank until you're enrolled as a degree seeking student (because they could ask for an enrollment verification- like when you get a good student discount on insurance)

There is no air of legitimacy, what a strange phrase. Listen, I am sure this sounds harsh, but just enroll somewhere and call it done. You shouldn't even be bringing this up at a job interview. It's completely irrelevant.

EDIT to add- all the sharing and talking and obsessing can happen here, this is a safe place for that. We are your cheerleaders, not your employer. :hurray: <-- see, I'm cheering for you

I agree with this response the most. I've been following the thread and I've thought the entire time about what happens if they ask for enrollment verification? If that happens, you'll seem like you are being deceptive when that is not your intention. Instead of "explaining" it will sound like you are backtracking to untangle the deception.

[High_Order1]

Why do you need flexibility? You should be able to complete your education on your own time with online courses and the occasional brick and mortar evening class.

I work full-time, and I don't ask for flexibility. As long as I can get the occasional day off for doctors, dentists, and DSST, I'm good.

Most jobs I am applying for are part time. They do not like to give off days. They do not like to give a Friday or a Monday off.

Huh? I'm confused.
First off, asking for flexibility before you've even been hired is pretty lame- I don't mean to be offensive, but the job is the job. If it's not a fit, you shouldn't accept it. Just my 2 cents on that part.

The question: Where are you going? Who is asking this, when and why? This is TMI. If you're not enrolled anywhere, don't put anything down on your application. If you are enrolled, then list your school. Since you technically are going nowhere, leave the school part blank until you're enrolled as a degree seeking student (because they could ask for an enrollment verification- like when you get a good student discount on insurance)

There is no air of legitimacy, what a strange phrase. Listen, I am sure this sounds harsh, but just enroll somewhere and call it done. You shouldn't even be bringing this up at a job interview. It's completely irrelevant.

EDIT to add- all the sharing and talking and obsessing can happen here, this is a safe place for

that. We are your cheerleaders, not your employer. :hurray: <-- see, I'm cheering for you

No, it's not lame. As a person who has done hiring in the past, I would like very much to know that a person has outside interests that may conflict with the position they are applying for. Because this is a part time job, I'll also need to work somewhere else. This is how it is.

My current part time job cuts the heart out of every M-F, but I only get 29 hours. They won't let me off to go take a test somewhere. I'm going next week to requalify on equipment that I use at my job, and they wouldn't let me off for it.

I have no interest in enrolling anywhere at this point. I want to do this as inexpensively as possible, so I intend to knock out as much as I can first. Then, I'll send to the Big Three and work from there.

Being a college student isn't irrelevant in my work field. They allow others to do some of their homework AT my current job. I feel like I am sort of a college student, and I want to leverage that. If they can't accept that I need time to complete coursework and / or take tests, then we need to get that settled in front, right?

But I do agree on the verification issue, which is why I posted.