This will be long, sorry.
I really didn't mean to lie to anyone.
Back in 1994 I attended a for-profit technical school. I completed a CERTIFICATE computer programming course. Upon completion, I was offered and accepted a job as a teacher for the same school. I worked nights teaching while completing the rest of the course offerings to get my associates (keep in mind this was back in the 90's). This was one of those accelerated courses that you worked at your own pace. I basically completed the 12 month programming course in 8 months. Completing the "Technical Associates" degree was a requirement for my employment after I was hired so I could effectively teach. So, as a student, I received a certificate, and as an employee, I received my "Technical Associate Degree". As a student, I have an actual CERT for programming. As an employee, I never did but ASSUME it went into my employee file.
Fast forward till now. I am ready to start employment with a major company that has to preform a background. My resume has "Associate of Computer Science" as my education which is technically correct. My "official" degree as a "student" is just a certificate however. I filled out the background form as having ONLY a CERT but that doesn't jive with my resume. I didn't want to embellish anything so was completely truthful there but again, it doesn't jive with what I have on my resume. I tried to explain this during the verbal interviews and all seemed ok with the hiring manager.
Caveat: The school has been out of business for years now (remember, this was back when for-profit schools were somewhat legit). They have been sold off about 4 times but was actually able to contact the new owners today to verify my dates of attendance (as a student).
So... my resume says "Associates Degree" (which is legit but not necessarily verifiable - unless they can really dig up employment records) while my record says "CERTIFICATE". I can only assume that the background check is going to come back bad but have no idea what to do about it.
Can anyone help? Really sucks that I might have a problem after 20 years.
THANK YOU