Alt Ed Sources to List in Resumes
Not all education comes from formal institutions, such as colleges and universities. Thankfully, the 21st century provides today's professionals with a plethora of resources to learn new skills and grow academically without taking on heavy financial burdens from undergrad and graduate programs.
There are many low-cost learning environments, such as vocational schools, online platforms (e.g., Udemy, Coursera), conferences, etc. There are also many free options, such as podcasts, YouTube tutorials, books, and online forums/communities.
To identify additional informal education to include, ask questions like these:
- What other industry activities are you involved in?
- Have you taken any courses or training lately that are relevant to your current job target?
- What do you read or consume to stay up-to-date in your field?
- Do you participate in any online communities or forums related to your field?
An example of alternative education and industry involvement that adds value to a professional pursuing a career in energy conservation could be:
GROUP & INDUSTRY PARTICIPATION
- Attendee of Conservation International Events Conducted Annually; 2020 - present
- Attended the 6th International Conference on Climate Change
- Active Member: American Council on Renewable Energy, Green Power Forum, and World Wind Energy Association
INFORMAL EDUCATION
- Avid Reader of Green Energy News, National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL)
- Avid Listener of The Climate Change & Polar Science Podcasts
