Is it appropriate to put *planned* coursework on a resume when applying for an internship?

Question

I have some very relevant coursework that I am scheduled to take over the course of this year, all of which would be completed before my hypothetical summer internship will start. Would it be unwise to list this on my resume? I'm a junior and don't have much else to put on there, and I really do plan to take these courses.

(This is for an engineering position, but the question is relevant to many majors and internships.)

Answer 1

I would draw the line at courses you are currently enrolled in. Future courses aren't a certain thing, and you're applying for a position with folk who appreciate certainty.

Full disclosure: I am an engineer, and I have interviewed various levels of interns before. My work experiences are primarily US based.

Here's what I would rather see:

• academics (GPA) to date
• notable class projects - so we have something to talk about in the interview
• academic society membership and activity - membership in Tau Beta Pi is far more interesting than Kegga Kegga Kegga (no, that's not a real fraternity afaik)
• other work experience
• high school academics (again, GPA) for purposes of consistency
• if you've passed the FE / EIT although it's a bit early for you to have taken it

Oh, and keep it to one page, please.

You're right in that you don't have a whole lot to put down for a resume yet. On the flip side, your interviewer knows you don't have a whole lot and doesn't expect it. Your attitude and demeanor amount to a whole lot more than anything. I know I'll have to train you for your role. What I want to know is how easy it's going to be to train you and what sort of personality / work ethic / drive do you have.

Answer 2

As long as you are in good faith about actually taking them, I wouldn't see a problem with putting it down as long as it is clearly marked as expected coursework. If the interviewer feels it is inappropriate, he can just ignore it. It's not like you misrepresented what it is.

Answer 3

The resume should be a list of things you've done so you should leave it off.

However the cover letter is more free form, you could include a bit in there about your plans for the school year and why that will make you even more qualified in June.

Answer 4

I used to teach a class for 3rd & 4th year students in which this specific question came up all the time.

The key factors in this question (and my answer) are:

• you are a student in a major and and are taking courses along a particular path
• you have little to show in traditional resume form, mostly because you're a student
• you are not applying for a full-time position somewhere, but...
• you are applying for a summer internship in which it is likely very much assumed that you are a student

In this situation, it would be completely reasonable to frame your academic work in these terms:

---

Degree

• something, at some school, expected SOMEYEAR

Completed Coursework in Major Field

• something really specific beyond intro, completed SOMESEMESTER

• something else really specific beyond intro, completed SOMESEMESTER

Upcoming Coursework in Major Field

• something really specific beyond intro, to be completed SOMESEMESTER

---

Note that I wouldn't list upcoming coursework beyond the next semester.

What this structure allows you to do is to point out in your cover letter exactly what has & will be preparing you, as a student, for the summer internship to which you are applying.

Taking off the teacher hat and putting on the hiring manager hat, this path of learning/connection to what you'd be using this knowledge for in an internship with me, is exactly what I would want your resume and cover letter to convey.