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A degree? Or not
Pattie Hunt Sinacole discusses whether a candidate truly has completed a BA
Q: I completed over 5 years of college courses at a prestigious college in Boston. I never “officially” completed my degree, but I learned a lot, the equivalent of a degree. I had switched majors, which was the cause for my falling short of degree requirements for a BA. On my resume, I have printed I have a BA because I completed over 4 years of college and paid for it myself. I am interviewing for a job. They just sprung on me that they do a full background check. I asked what that meant and they said a criminal check, a motor vehicle check and an educational check. An offer is “contingent upon the completion of a successful background check.” Now I am worried. Could this be a showstopper? I have never applied for a role which requires these types of checks. Will this come out? That I don’t have a completed degree. Should I explain this now? What should I do?
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A: This is certainly a stressful position for you. Your situation illustrates how one error in judgment can haunt you years later. Five years of college does not equate to a degree, no ifs, ands or buts.
Here is what I would do. First, find out how many more courses are required for you to complete your degree. Could a course or courses be taken online? Get the facts. Maybe it is reasonable for you to complete the degree in a short amount of time.
Your prospective employer will likely discover this information. You could be eliminated from the hiring process or, if found after you are hired, you could be terminated on the spot, especially if you completed an application and stated that you held an undergraduate degree. If you submitted a resume claiming that you earned an undergraduate degree this could also be problematic.
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I would disclose this information now. After researching what you need to do to complete your degree, own up to the fact that you have not completed the requirements for a BA. Further explain that you are trying to complete the requirements in order to attain your degree. Now…. the big risk is that you may not be hired! The hiring representative may feel like you have misled the company, and you have.
There have been several high-profile professionals who have not been completely candid either. Scott Thompson, the CEO of Yahoo, stated that he had both an accounting degree and a computer science degree. He earned just the accounting degree. He was forced to resign months later. George Santos, the former US Congressman, fabricated degrees from both Baruch College and New York University. The CEO of Bausch and Lomb, Ronald Zarrella also presented an educational background that was misleading. He said he completed an MBA from New York University. He attended New York University but never completed the coursework required to earn an MBA. Zarrella retained his role, but the shares of Bauch and Lomb took a hit after it was discovered.
How should you present an incomplete degree on your resume? You could state Bachelor of Arts (in progress) or Bachelor of Arts (expected 2025), or Bachelor of Arts (incomplete). You have to state factual information not aspirational information.
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It does not matter whether you paid for your coursework or not. You still have not completed the degree, and that is what matters in your situation.
There is no doubt that this mishap is causing you anxiety. Try to address it and put it behind you. Be forthright in the future. Hopefully others will read this guidance and avoid making the same mistake.
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