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How (and When) To List Relevant Coursework on a Resume

Everything you need to know about listing relevant coursework on your resume, including where it belongs, what to include, and when to take it off.

a year ago   •   5 min read

You’re fresh out of school, armed with years’ worth of knowledge and the most up-to-date skills. But should you include specifics about your coursework on your resume?

If you graduated recently , are changing careers , or simply lack a lot of relevant work experience in the field you’re aiming for, the answer is probably yes. Keep reading as we cover exactly how to do that, including real examples and tips on where it belongs and how to match it to the job you want.

Let’s start with a brief rundown of when relevant coursework belongs on your resume — and when it doesn’t.

When (and when not) to include relevant coursework on your resume

Relevant coursework doesn’t belong on every resume. For most job seekers, it’s completely optional (and probably unnecessary if you have any actual work experience in a similar role or industry).

You can consider using coursework to highlight relevant skills and industry knowledge, especially if:

• You graduated recently (or are about to). As a recent graduate, your most relevant “experience” is likely to be your education, so it’s okay to focus on that.
• You’re changing careers. This is doubly true if you went back to school or completed a short course to retrain.
• You have limited experience and/or are applying for entry-level positions . Without a lot of experience in the field, it makes sense to focus on what you do have — things like relevant coursework, community involvement, or extracurricular activities .

Decided that listing relevant coursework on your resume is the right step for you? Here’s how to do it.

How to include relevant coursework on a resume

• Create an Education section on your resume. For recent graduates, this can go at the top of your resume, above your Work Experience section .
• List the name of the school, the degree you studied, and your graduation date (optional).
• Underneath, create a subheading titled “Relevant Coursework.”
• List a small number of courses (no more than 3-4) that are directly relevant to the job you’re applying for. That’s enough if you want to keep your education section brief, but if you choose to expand it, you can also:
• Include a single bullet point for each course that highlights a key accomplishment. Start each bullet point with an action verb so it more closely resembles your other resume bullets.
• Focus on how the course prepared you for the kind of job you aim to be doing — for example, if you’re applying for roles in marketing, focus on things like conducting market research surveys or implementing social media campaigns.
• Use our free resume scanner for more tips on how to perfect your resume bullet points and Education section.

Examples of listing relevant coursework on a resume

Here are some examples of including relevant coursework in a few common areas of study. Feel free to copy and paste or customize these to fit your own experience.

Finance coursework on a resume

EDUCATION Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance XYZ University, Graduated May 2022 Relevant Coursework : Corporate Finance : Analyzed financial statements and conducted valuation analysis to assess the financial health of a company. Investment Analysis : Evaluated investment opportunities and presented recommendations to a panel of industry professionals. Financial Modeling: Created complex financial models to forecast revenue and expense projections.

Marketing coursework on a resume

EDUCATION Bachelor of Science in Marketing ABC College, Graduated June 2021 Relevant Coursework: Digital Marketing: Created and implemented a social media campaign for a local business, resulting in a 30% increase in website traffic. Market Research : Conducted focus groups and surveys to gather insights on consumer preferences and behavior. Brand Management: Developed a brand identity and positioning strategy for a new product line.

Technology coursework on a resume

EDUCATION Bachelor of Science in Computer Science DEF University, Graduated December 2021 Relevant Coursework: Database Systems : Designed and implemented a database management system for a student organization to track membership and event attendance. Web Development: Built a responsive website using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for a local business, resulting in a 50% increase in online sales. Operating Systems: Worked on a team to develop a custom operating system using C++, implementing process scheduling and memory management algorithms.

How to determine which coursework to include

The number one rule of writing a resume is that everything on it needs to be relevant to the specific job you’re applying for — even your education. Anything that isn’t relevant should be a) kept as brief as possible or b) left off altogether.

That means you should only list coursework that more or less matches the kinds of tasks you’ll be doing in your new job. Sometimes this is obvious — for example, if the job ad asks for experience with specific tools, software or programming languages, it makes sense to include any coursework you completed on those topics

Here’s an example:

Job Description: "Experience with programming languages such as Python, Java, and C++." Relevant Coursework: Introduction to Python, Object-Oriented Programming (Java), Data Structures and Algorithms (C++)

Other times, you’ll need to read between the lines a little — which can help demonstrate that you understand the basic requirements of the job. For example:

Job Description: "Experience with digital marketing tools and analytics software." Relevant Coursework: Digital Marketing, Marketing Analytics, Web Analytics

Here’s another example:

Job Description: "Strong knowledge of financial accounting principles." Relevant Coursework: Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting, Corporate Finance

I’d recommend using the tool below to get a list of skills and keywords relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Where to put relevant coursework on a resume

There are a few places where it makes sense to list relevant coursework on your resume. This could be in your:

• Education section. This is the most obvious place to list coursework, so it should always go here first.
• Skills section. If your coursework involved a specific hard skill, you can also list it in your skills section — for example, listing an “Adobe Photoshop Fundamentals” course under a subheading like “Software” or “Graphic Design.”
• Certifications or Licenses section. If you completed a course that led to a specific certification — especially if it’s one that’s well known or highly regarded in your industry — you can highlight that by listing the course separately in a dedicated section.

Key takeaways

Listing relevant coursework on your resume is optional. It’s generally a good fit for recent graduates and career changers, but not for more experienced job seekers.

• Alongside relevant coursework, you may also want to highlight educational accomplishments like GPA, honors , awards, study abroad , educational projects , and extracurricular activities. Check out our complete guide on how to list education on your resume for more tips and examples.
• Make sure you’re tailoring your resume for each position you apply to and reviewing it regularly to remove sections (like relevant coursework) that no longer belong.
• Career Advice

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

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.)

• career-development

6 Answers 6

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.

• As an aside, I would say that active participation and leadership in a social fraternity is much better than membership in an academic society. I held multiple officer positions in my fraternity, but I refused to join an academic society I wasn't going to participate in just so I could put it on my resume. –  David K Commented Jul 28, 2014 at 13:04

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.

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.

• Saying a resume is a list of things you've done is a rather tautological answer to the question. –  user1084 Commented Jul 28, 2014 at 6:45

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:

• 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.

Think of the resume as a place to list your accomplishments .

Completed projects: accomplishments.

Planned projects: not accomplishments.

Note my use of the term "projects". Let's say, for example, that you're planning to take a course in developing Android applications, later in the year. You can't put that course on your resume, because you haven't taken it yet. But if you were to write an Android application, you could put that on your resume right away.

Of course, there's a lot of self-motivated learning required there-- but if you're passionate about it, then it's probably something you're already doing, eh?

• Nearly completed the degree, just a few courses left: accomplishment. I might not care what courses the intern was planning to apply for, but seeing that they are continuing = good thing –  StackExchange What The Heck Commented Jul 28, 2014 at 11:24

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

It certainly makes sense to include all coursework that is relevant to the specifics of the internship, as long as it is expected to be completed before the internship begins.

You should however indicate that this work is planned, to distinguish it from completed work. Something like:

• Advanced Framis Design Studies (planned for Fall, 2014)

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The 5 Best Homework Help Websites (Free and Paid!)

Other High School , General Education

Listen: we know homework isn’t fun, but it is a good way to reinforce the ideas and concepts you’ve learned in class. But what if you’re really struggling with your homework assignments?

If you’ve looked online for a little extra help with your take-home assignments, you’ve probably stumbled across websites claiming to provide the homework help and answers students need to succeed . But can homework help sites really make a difference? And if so, which are the best homework help websites you can use? 

Below, we answer these questions and more about homework help websites–free and paid. We’ll go over: 

• The basics of homework help websites
• The cost of homework help websites 
• The five best homework websites out there 
• The pros and cons of using these websites for homework help 
• The line between “learning” and “cheating” when using online homework help 
• Tips for getting the most out of a homework help website

So let’s get started! 

The Basics About Homework Help Websites–Free and Paid

Homework help websites are designed to help you complete your homework assignments, plain and simple. 

What Makes a Homework Help Site Worth Using

Most of the best sites allow users to ask questions and then provide an answer (or multiple possible answers) and explanation in seconds. In some instances, you can even send a photo of a particular assignment or problem instead of typing the whole thing out! 

Homework help sites also offer more than just help answering homework questions. Common services provided are Q&A with experts, educational videos, lectures, practice tests and quizzes, learning modules, math solving tools, and proofreading help. Homework help sites can also provide textbook solutions (i.e. answers to problems in tons of different textbooks your school might be using), one-on-one tutoring, and peer-to-peer platforms that allow you to discuss subjects you’re learning about with your fellow students. 

And best of all, nearly all of them offer their services 24/7, including tutoring! 

What You Should Should Look Out For

When it comes to homework help, there are lots–and we mean lots –of scam sites out there willing to prey on desperate students. Before you sign up for any service, make sure you read reviews to ensure you’re working with a legitimate company. 

A word to the wise: the more a company advertises help that veers into the territory of cheating, the more likely it is to be a scam. The best homework help websites are going to help you learn the concepts you’ll need to successfully complete your homework on your own. (We’ll go over the difference between “homework help” and “cheating” a little later!) 

You don't need a golden piggy bank to use homework help websites. Some provide low or no cost help for students like you!

How Expensive Are the Best Homework Help Websites?

First of all, just because a homework help site costs money doesn’t mean it’s a good service. Likewise, just because a homework help website is free doesn’t mean the help isn’t high quality. To find the best websites, you have to take a close look at the quality and types of information they provide! 

When it comes to paid homework help services, the prices vary pretty widely depending on the amount of services you want to subscribe to. Subscriptions can cost anywhere from $2 to $150 dollars per month, with the most expensive services offering several hours of one-on-one tutoring with a subject expert per month.

The 5 Best Homework Help Websites 

So, what is the best homework help website you can use? The answer is that it depends on what you need help with. 

The best homework help websites are the ones that are reliable and help you learn the material. They don’t just provide answers to homework questions–they actually help you learn the material. 

That’s why we’ve broken down our favorite websites into categories based on who they’re best for . For instance, the best website for people struggling with math might not work for someone who needs a little extra help with science, and vice versa. 

Keep reading to find the best homework help website for you! 

Best Free Homework Help Site: Khan Academy

• Price: Free!
• Best for: Practicing tough material 

Not only is Khan Academy free, but it’s full of information and can be personalized to suit your needs. When you set up your account , you choose which courses you need to study, and Khan Academy sets up a personal dashboard of instructional videos, practice exercises, and quizzes –with both correct and incorrect answer explanations–so you can learn at your own pace. 

As an added bonus, it covers more course topics than many other homework help sites, including several AP classes.

Runner Up: Brainly.com offers a free service that allows you to type in questions and get answers and explanations from experts. The downside is that you’re limited to two answers per question and have to watch ads. 

Best Paid Homework Help Site: Chegg

• Price: $14.95 to $19.95 per month
• Best for: 24/7 homework assistance  

This service has three main parts . The first is Chegg Study, which includes textbook solutions, Q&A with subject experts, flashcards, video explanations, a math solver, and writing help. The resources are thorough, and reviewers state that Chegg answers homework questions quickly and accurately no matter when you submit them.  

Chegg also offers textbook rentals for students who need access to textbooks outside of their classroom. Finally, Chegg offers Internship and Career Advice for students who are preparing to graduate and may need a little extra help with the transition out of high school. 

Another great feature Chegg provides is a selection of free articles geared towards helping with general life skills, like coping with stress and saving money. Chegg’s learning modules are comprehensive, and they feature solutions to the problems in tons of different textbooks in a wide variety of subjects. 

Runner Up: Bartleby offers basically the same services as Chegg for $14.99 per month. The reason it didn’t rank as the best is based on customer reviews that say user questions aren’t answered quite as quickly on this site as on Chegg. Otherwise, this is also a solid choice!

Best Site for Math Homework Help: Photomath

• Price: Free (or $59.99 per year for premium services) 
• Best for: Explaining solutions to math problems

This site allows you to t ake a picture of a math problem, and instantly pulls up a step-by-step solution, as well as a detailed explanation of the concept. Photomath also includes animated videos that break down mathematical concepts to help you better understand and remember them. 

The basic service is free, but for an additional fee you can get extra study tools and learn additional strategies for solving common math problems.

Runner Up: KhanAcademy offers in-depth tutorials that cover complex math topics for free, but you won’t get the same tailored help (and answers!) that Photomath offers. 

Best Site for English Homework Help: Princeton Review Academic Tutoring

• Price: $40 to $153 per month, depending on how many hours of tutoring you want 
• Best for: Comprehensive and personalized reading and writing help 

While sites like Grammarly and Sparknotes help you by either proofreading what you write via an algorithm or providing book summaries, Princeton Review’s tutors provide in-depth help with vocabulary, literature, essay writing and development, proofreading, and reading comprehension. And unlike other services, you’ll have the chance to work with a real person to get help. 

The best part is that you can get on-demand English (and ESL) tutoring from experts 24/7. That means you can get help whenever you need it, even if you’re pulling an all-nighter! 

This is by far the most expensive homework site on this list, so you’ll need to really think about what you need out of a homework help website before you commit. One added benefit is that the subscription covers over 80 other subjects, including AP classes, which can make it a good value if you need lots of help!  

Best Site for STEM Homework Help: Studypool

• Best for: Science homework help
• Price: Varies; you’ll pay for each question you submit

When it comes to science homework help, there aren’t a ton of great resources out there. The best of the bunch is Studypool, and while it has great reviews, there are some downsides as well. 

Let’s start with the good stuff. Studypool offers an interesting twist on the homework help formula. After you create a free account, you can submit your homework help questions, and tutors will submit bids to answer your questions. You’ll be able to select the tutor–and price point–that works for you, then you’ll pay to have your homework question answered. You can also pay a small fee to access notes, lectures, and other documents that top tutors have uploaded. 

The downside to Studypool is that the pricing is not transparent . There’s no way to plan for how much your homework help will cost, especially if you have lots of questions! Additionally, it’s not clear how tutors are selected, so you’ll need to be cautious when you choose who you’d like to answer your homework questions.  

What Are the Pros and Cons of Using Homework Help Sites?

Homework help websites can be a great resource if you’re struggling in a subject, or even if you just want to make sure that you’re really learning and understanding topics and ideas that you’re interested in. But, there are some possible drawbacks if you don’t use these sites responsibly. 

We’ll go over the good–and the not-so-good–aspects of getting online homework help below. 

3 Pros of Using Homework Help Websites 

First, let’s take a look at the benefits. 

#1: Better Grades Beyond Homework

This is a big one! Getting outside help with your studies can improve your understanding of concepts that you’re learning, which translates into better grades when you take tests or write essays. 

Remember: homework is designed to help reinforce the concepts you learned in class. If you just get easy answers without learning the material behind the problems, you may not have the tools you need to be successful on your class exams…or even standardized tests you’ll need to take for college. 

#2: Convenience

One of the main reasons that online homework help is appealing is because it’s flexible and convenient. You don’t have to go to a specific tutoring center while they’re open or stay after school to speak with your teacher. Instead, you can access helpful resources wherever you can access the internet, whenever you need them.

This is especially true if you tend to study at off hours because of your extracurriculars, work schedule, or family obligations. Sites that offer 24/7 tutoring can give you the extra help you need if you can’t access the free resources that are available at your school. 

#3: Variety

Not everyone learns the same way. Maybe you’re more of a visual learner, but your teacher mostly does lectures. Or maybe you learn best by listening and taking notes, but you’re expected to learn something just from reading the textbook . 

One of the best things about online homework help is that it comes in a variety of forms. The best homework help sites offer resources for all types of learners, including videos, practice activities, and even one-on-one discussions with real-life experts. 

This variety can also be a good thing if you just don’t really resonate with the way a concept is being explained (looking at you, math textbooks!).

Not so fast. There are cons to homework help websites, too. Get to know them below!

3 Cons of Using Homework Help Websites 

Now, let’s take a look at the drawbacks of online homework help. 

#1: Unreliable Info

This can be a real problem. In addition to all the really good homework help sites, there are a whole lot of disreputable or unreliable sites out there. The fact of the matter is that some homework help sites don’t necessarily hire people who are experts in the subjects they’re talking about. In those cases, you may not be getting the accurate, up-to-date, and thorough information you need.

Additionally, even the great sites may not be able to answer all of your homework questions. This is especially true if the site uses an algorithm or chatbot to help students…or if you’re enrolled in an advanced or college-level course. In these cases, working with your teacher or school-provided tutors are probably your best option. 

#2: No Clarification

This depends on the service you use, of course. But the majority of them provide free or low-cost help through pre-recorded videos. Watching videos or reading info online can definitely help you with your homework… but you can’t ask questions or get immediate feedback if you need it .

#3: Potential For Scamming 

Like we mentioned earlier, there are a lot of homework help websites out there, and lots of them are scams. The review comments we read covered everything from outdated or wrong information, to misleading claims about the help provided, to not allowing people to cancel their service after signing up. 

No matter which site you choose to use, make sure you research and read reviews before you sign up–especially if it’s a paid service! 

When Does “Help” Become “Cheating”?

Admittedly, whether using homework help websites constitutes cheating is a bit of a grey area. For instance, is it “help” when a friend reads your essay for history class and corrects your grammar, or is it “cheating”? The truth is, not everyone agrees on when “help” crosses the line into “cheating .” When in doubt, it can be a good idea to check with your teacher to see what they think about a particular type of help you want to get. 

That said, a general rule of thumb to keep in mind is to make sure that the assignment you turn in for credit is authentically yours . It needs to demonstrate your own thoughts and your own current abilities. Remember: the point of every homework assignment is to 1) help you learn something, and 2) show what you’ve learned. 

So if a service answers questions or writes essays for you, there’s a good chance using it constitutes cheating. 

Here’s an example that might help clarify the difference for you. Brainstorming essay ideas with others or looking online for inspiration is “help” as long as you write the essay yourself. Having someone read it and give you feedback about what you need to change is also help, provided you’re the one that makes the changes later. 

But copying all or part of an essay you find online or having someone write (or rewrite) the whole thing for you would be “cheating.” The same is true for other subjects. Ultimately, if you’re not generating your own work or your own answers, it’s probably cheating.

5 Tips for Finding the Best Homework Help Websites for You

Now that you know some of our favorite homework help websites, free and paid, you can start doing some additional research on your own to decide which services might work best for you! Here are some top tips for choosing a homework help website. 

Tip 1: Decide How You Learn Best 

Before you decide which site or sites you’re going to use for homework help, y ou should figure out what kind of learning style works for you the most. Are you a visual learner? Then choose a site that uses lots of videos to help explain concepts. If you know you learn best by actually doing tasks, choose a site that provides lots of practice exercises.

Tip 2: Determine Which Subjects You Need Help With

Just because a homework help site is good overall doesn’t mean that it’s equally good for every subject. If you only need help in math, choose a site that specializes in that area. But if history is where you’re struggling, a site that specializes in math won’t be much help. So make sure to choose a site that you know provides high-quality help in the areas you need it most. 

Tip 3: Decide How Much One-On-One Help You Need 

This is really about cost-effectiveness. If you learn well on your own by reading and watching videos, a free site like Khan Academy is a good choice. But if you need actual tutoring, or to be able to ask questions and get personalized answers from experts, a paid site that provides that kind of service may be a better option.

Tip 4: Set a Budget

If you decide you want to go with a paid homework help website, set a budget first . The prices for sites vary wildly, and the cost to use them can add up quick. 

Tip 5: Read the Reviews

Finally, it’s always a good idea to read actual reviews written by the people using these homework sites. You’ll learn the good, the bad, and the ugly of what the users’ experiences have been. This is especially true if you intend to subscribe to a paid service. You’ll want to make sure that users think it’s worth the price overall!

What’s Next?

If you want to get good grades on your homework, it’s a good idea to learn how to tackle it strategically. Our expert tips will help you get the most out of each assignment…and boost your grades in the process.

Doing well on homework assignments is just one part of getting good grades. We’ll teach you everything you need to know about getting great grades in high school in this article.

Of course, test grades can make or break your GPA, too. Here are 17 expert tips that’ll help you get the most out of your study prep before you take an exam.

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Ashley Sufflé Robinson has a Ph.D. in 19th Century English Literature. As a content writer for PrepScholar, Ashley is passionate about giving college-bound students the in-depth information they need to get into the school of their dreams.

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What is the difference between Ph. D programs with coursework and those without it?

I have been looking into PhD programs in the Engineering field, and I have found different types of programs, such as some with coursework, and others without any coursework.

What is the practical difference between them? (Besides the obvious coursework) What kind of student is expected for each of them?

EDIT: To be more specific, I have been looking into Robotics PhD programs, such as:

• CMU Robotics PhD (Coursework + Research).
• KCL Robotics PhD (Only research).
• graduate-school

• It might be great if you were more specific about which engineering fields you are talking about and/or including links to the different types of programs you've found... –  TCSGrad Commented Feb 16, 2012 at 6:39
• As far as I know (which is little), coursework PhD programs tend to let you shape your thesis by learning incrementally from courses till you are better off on your own. For instance, if you were doing a PhD in Supercomputing; They would probably ask you to take "core courses" like Computer Hardware, Software and Design of Programs along with a few "electives" to strengthen a certain aspect and leave you on your own. Non-coursework, on the other hand, is like a full time job with research (and possibly, teaching) duties. You shape your thesis by interacting with advisors and reading books. –  user107 Commented Feb 16, 2012 at 6:53
• @shan23 Done, see edited question. –  Dr. Snoopy Commented Feb 16, 2012 at 20:35

4 Answers 4

It seems to me that there are several advantages; none of these are suitable for every student. It's up to you whether enough of them apply to you, to make it worth doing a taught PhD:

• A PhD with a bit of coursework in the first year will help those who are crossing over into a discipline that they're not already deeply embedded in: it will give you some hand-holding through the things you'll need to know but don't yet;
• it should (if taught well) also teach you some extra research skills;
• it will give you some indication as you progress as to how well you're doing, compared to how well you should be doing if you're going to finish
• it will allow you to explore different aspects of the field, to help you finalise your thesis topic
• it may, depending on the country and institution, give you an intermediate degree at the end of the taught section, such as an MRes, which will count for something even if you then don't go on to do the full PhD
• it lessens the culture-shock for those going straight from fully-taught study to a research degree.

• 8 "..it lessens the culture-shock for those going straight from fully-taught study to a research degree.." +1 –  user107 Commented Feb 16, 2012 at 7:15
• 3 Also +1 for the culture shock. Very true. Describes my situation exactly. –  Austin Henley Commented Apr 19, 2013 at 15:40
• 2 Coming from industry + masters, I found the class requirements annoying as they got in the way of me doing research full time. We had 9 required courses and only 2 of them provided any real value to my research. The major unseen benefit of classes is that their difficulty pushed me to make friends "in the trenches" of group projects and assignments. These friendships lasted throughout the rest of my PhD. –  Josh Hibschman Commented Jun 16, 2015 at 17:16

One thing to keep in mind is that there are international differences as well. In Germany, for instance, doctoral programs almost never require coursework as part of the research program requirements (although it may be mandated for purposes off establishing degree equivalency, if you come from a foreign country or have a degree from another field). This is because it is assumed that you have taken all the necessary courses as part of your Master's program, which is considered the follow up to the bachelor's rather than the precursor to the doctorate.

The reverse is true in the US: I don't know of any PhD programs there that don't require courses, for the reverse reason.

• 1 Does this mean that non-coursework PhD programs require that students have previously finished a Masters degree? –  Dr. Snoopy Commented Feb 16, 2012 at 20:37
• 6 In Germany, it does; however, for programs in other countries, you'll need to check the admissions policy of the individual programs. These are usually available on the Internet; if not, you can always send an email or call the personnel responsible for admissions. –  aeismail Commented Feb 16, 2012 at 20:45

Also, a coursework PhD program is very useful for someone (like me) who took a break from academia to work for a couple of years - it would be invaluable in refreshing those basics that have atrophied during the time spent at industry.

Sometimes, especially in the beginning, it is easier to measure course progress than research progress, and thus good for the self-esteem. Being able to say "I've accomplished something this semester" is crucial.

• Doesn't the extra workload from courses mean that to some extent, you will only get around to start concentrating on the research in year 2 and make comparably little research progress then? –  O. R. Mapper Commented Jun 17, 2015 at 16:19

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• Resume and Cover Letter
• How to Include Relevant...

How to Include Relevant Coursework on a Resume (with Examples)

13 min read · Updated on September 11, 2023

If you are a recent graduate struggling with a lack of work experience, knowing how to include relevant coursework on a resume can be one of the best ways to create a more compelling resume narrative.

One thing that many recent college graduates have in common with one another is a general lack of work experience. That lack of experience can sometimes make it difficult for them to construct a resume that sells their potential to be the best candidate for a job. Fortunately, there are ways to still create a strong and compelling resume, even without experience. For example, did you take classes that might be relevant to the position? If so, including relevant coursework on your resume may be the perfect solution to your resume challenges.

In this post, we will explain how you can identify relevant coursework and where it should be listed in your resume. We will also include several examples of relevant coursework on a resume so that you can see the best options for using these details to strengthen your job search efforts.

What is relevant coursework?

Of course, when we talk about relevant coursework, we are talking about those classes and educational activities that have direct relevance to the position you are seeking. The first thing you need to recognize is that many of the classes you took during your college career will not need to be included in your resume. After all, most degrees require that students complete any number of basic foundational courses that will have little if any relation to their chosen job — at least from a resume standpoint. 

So, what types of classes, achievements, and activities should you focus on as you identify suitable courses to add to your resume? While this sounds like a simple question, it actually requires some serious thought and evaluation. Fortunately, there are some basic rules that you can follow as you make that determination. Below are just some of the potentially relevant things that you might want to include in your resume: 

Coursework that demonstrates that you have a foundation of knowledge in a required aspect of the job you are seeking. For example, if communication skills are needed for the position, you should include courses that focused on business communications, writing, etc.

Projects that are related to particular job skills. For a marketing position, you should include any marketing-related projects you completed during your studies. Or you could include research projects you engaged in if you are seeking a job where research skills are essential.

Academic achievements can also be included, including notably high GPA scores or awards you received. Also, be sure to include any related extracurricular activities. That could include everything from clubs to sporting activities if they helped you develop skills that would be useful for the job.

Again, do not include coursework that has no bearing on the job at hand. This will require you to carefully consider each course to determine its relevance. One way to do that is to read the job posting and select keywords and phrases of import that seem to be describing the skills or educational qualifications needed for the job. Then go through your coursework and try to match courses to those skills. As you do so, remember that some basic courses like those involving communication—both written and verbal—may be included, since communication is one of those soft skills that every company values .

You can learn more about the difference between hard and soft skills by reading our excellent article, Key Differences Between Hard Skills and Soft Skills . A better understanding of those critical soft skills can help to ensure that you don't underestimate the value of any of your classes. There's a great chance that you have more marketable soft skills than you realize! 

When should you include relevant courses on your resume?

Before you add your job-related classes to your resume, you should decide whether it is necessary. For example, you can almost certainly benefit from including your relevant coursework on your resume if: 

You recently graduated from school or are beginning the process of looking for a job because you are close to graduation. Students and recent graduates typically have little or no real job experience to highlight skills. Fortunately, their studies and project assignments will likely have helped them to develop important skills that they can highlight in their resumes.

Your educational achievements are necessary to qualify for the position you are seeking. In those instances, your prospective employer will be interested in knowing that you have fulfilled those requirements and have the basic knowledge needed for the position.

There may also be times when you need to include coursework even after you have been in the workforce for some time. For example, if you are switching careers and your current work experience does not include the skills needed for your new job, that may not matter as much if you can show that your studies prepared you for the role. 

Including coursework related to your minor

As you select relevant coursework for your resume, don't forget to consider courses of study related to your minor too. Hopefully, you will have selected a minor that is at least tangentially related to your desired career path. If so, then chances are that some of the courses you completed may have some relevance that can translate to a useful resume listing. For more information about minors and when they can be added to your resume, read How to Include a Minor on Your Resume .

When should I take coursework off my resume?

Obviously, there will be times when you should forgo any mention of your courses in your resume. Some examples of situations where you might not need to list your specific coursework include:

When your coursework is not really relevant to the position you seek. Including irrelevant coursework could actually distract from your important skills and experiences.

Situations in which coursework was completed so long ago that the information is no longer useful. For instance, many technology-related courses can lose their value over time. Other examples include old marketing courses and other educational achievements that involve skills that have evolved rapidly in recent years.

If your resume is already filled with enough work experience and skills that there is no need or room for specific course details. Remember, you want to add your courses to enhance your value as an employee. If adding a particular course does nothing more than add length to the resume, skip it. 

Where should relevant coursework be listed in your resume?

In most resumes, the coursework should be placed in the education section, with a subheading titled “Relevant Coursework.” When creating this part of the education section, you should insert the subheading under the name of your degree, with a list of the courses you studied. For example:

Bachelor's in [Name of Degree]

[College Name, City, Graduation Date]

Relevant Coursework: [Course 1], [Course 2], [Course 3], [Course 4], [Course 5]

Alternatively, you can also opt to show your courses in a bullet-point list if your resume is short and you need to fill more space. You can even elaborate on each course with a few words to describe the skills you learned in class. For example:

Relevant Coursework:

If you have no actual work experience, you may even want to consider using your education section as a substitute for that experience section. If you choose that option, you may want to place the education section closer to the top of your resume and flesh out each course in the same way you would detail a job listing in your work experience section. That means using detailed descriptions that include quantifiable results highlighting your achievements.

Key tips to remember when listing relevant coursework

Before we show you some examples of how to list relevant coursework on your resume, there are a few tips that can help to ensure that your final product is as compelling as possible. By incorporating these ideas into your resume creation process, you can more effectively make that all-important great first impression on any hiring manager.

Only list relevant coursework if you lack sufficient work experience to meet the job requirements.

Always make sure that the courses you list highlight skills and knowledge needed for the position. If a course has nothing to do with your chosen line of work, it has no place in your resume.

Relevant courses may be related to hard and soft skills.

If you choose to use descriptions for each course, use that as an opportunity to insert relevant keywords from the job description. This can be a great way to ensure that your resume can get past any applicant tracking system .

Always proofread your entire resume to eliminate spelling mistakes, punctuation and grammar errors, and style or formatting discrepancies.

Make sure that you tailor your resume to fit the job you want. Since you will likely be applying for different jobs during your job search, you may need to modify your educational coursework details to align with the needs of each position.

Do not forget to include important skill information in your coursework descriptions. Again, try to use those job description keywords.

If you are maintaining an updated resume throughout your educational career, be sure to continually edit your resume as your coursework evolves over time. This can make it easier to keep it updated and can save you some time when your job search begins.

3 Examples of relevant coursework on a resume

In this final section, we will explore some different examples to show you how you can successfully incorporate relevant coursework into your resume. We have included a couple of examples of the most basic listing options, as well as an expanded sample that enables you to provide more details and skills. You can refer to these samples and use them as guides as you create your own relevant coursework section.

Example #1: The Basics

Bachelor's in Information Technology

My College, Anytown 2022

Relevant Coursework: Cyber Security 101, Business Intelligence, Application Development, Networking and Telecom, Artificial Intelligence

This simple listing would be a good option for anyone who has at least some relevant work experience but who still needs an additional boost to meet the job requirements. In this case, the job seeker's coursework listing is presented in a minimalist format, documenting the specific courses and areas of focus—but without any other information about those studies.

Example #2: Bulletpoint List of Courses

Cyber Security 101

Business Intelligence

Application Development

Networking and Telecom

Artificial Intelligence

This option is similar to the first example but presents the classes and areas of focus as separate bullet points. This provides additional emphasis for each area of study, while also taking up a bit more space in the resume. This can be a great option if your resume is a little short and you need to expand the content.

Example #3: Detailed Format

My College, Anytown

Completed in 2022

Certified Cyber Security Expert, skilled in protecting data, information, and infrastructure.

Coursework included training on risk analysis, threat mitigation, compliance assurance, and cloud security.

Completed multiple projects and research assignments designed to test knowledge and adaptability to various types of cyber threats.

 Business Intelligence

Business analytics certificate, training focused on data interpretation and communication to resolve business problems with a data mindset.

Course included 3 projects testing analytical skills using hypothetical business challenges based on real-world business scenarios.

 Application Development

Courses focused on the development of software coding skills used for web application creation, troubleshooting, and debugging.

Final course project involved the creation of an independent web app to streamline online sales processes for a test company.

Training focused on routing, packet switching, and cybersecurity needs.

Spent eight weeks as a volunteer networking intern for a local ISP, receiving hands-on training from experienced networking professionals.

AI and machine learning studies, emphasizing tech integration into business processes, impact on sales and marketing, and ethical concerns.

Conducted study for the course final, evaluating potential AI benefits for enhanced marketing in the digital age and impact on online sales.

This more detailed example is a superior option for those who have no work experience and need their educational credentials to highlight their skills. In this sample, each area of interest is accompanied by bullet point details describing the types of courses studied and the lessons or skills developed during those classes. In addition, bullet points are added to highlight specific achievements, describe studies and real-world application of skills, and demonstrate competency in the subject matter.

This type of format can enable your coursework section to serve as a replacement for work experience if you have never been employed. When used for that purpose, you can expand on each course listing to include additional skills and keywords from the job post. Simply add new bullet points where needed to flesh out each area of emphasis.

Again, if you choose to replace your work experience section with this relevant coursework section, make sure that you move this section closer to the top of your resume so that it receives more prominence. Basically, if your strongest selling point is your education, then make sure that your important courses are one of the first things that a prospective employer sees. Also, you may want to highlight your educational qualifications in your resume summary so that the reader expects to see those coursework details.

Don't underestimate the power of a well-crafted and compelling resume

Finally, it is important to reiterate just how vital it is that your resume makes the best possible impression. When you approach the labor market with little or no work experience, you are usually already at a competitive disadvantage. There will almost always be someone else who has a similar level of skill and educational background, as well as real-world experience. To compete against a qualified rival, you need a resume that can effectively sell you as the best candidate for the job.

For recent graduates and job seekers moving to entirely new careers, a lack of relevant work experience can be a major impediment to landing job interviews and employment offers. One way to overcome this obstacle is to learn how to use relevant educational coursework on your resume to highlight your qualifications and skills. Hopefully, this post and its resume examples can provide you with the inspiration and help you need to translate your educational experience into a compelling resume narrative. Fortunately, there are ways to ensure that your resume effectively positions you to have the best chance at landing any interview and job. To make sure that your resume is up to par, get a  free resume review  today. And if you really want to be sure that your resume is ready for prime time, take a few moments to discover just how easy it is to get professional resume assistance from our team of experts!

Recommended Reading:

What Should I Say About My Education On My Resume?

Ask Amanda: What's the Best Way to List Education on a Resume?

14 Reasons This is a Perfect Recent College Grad Resume Example

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How To Include Your Relevant Coursework On A Resume

In This Guide:

How important is it to list relevant coursework on a resume as a college student, how can i include relevant coursework on a student resume, when to avoid coursework on resume, what other sections can you add that can have more impact than coursework, volunteer experience, extracurricular activities, passions/strengths/interests, relevant coursework on resume – takeaways.

In today’s hiring landscape, your resume needs to quickly communicate all of your potential value to an employer. If you’re a student or recently graduated, your practical job experience may still be poor – but your coursework is probably rich.

So should you include the relevant classes you took on your resume? You can!

However, there are some factors you should consider before listing your coursework. You need to think about where you are in your career, what is the position you are applying for, and how relevant your education is to the job description.

Don’t get scared, it is not so much. Stay with us. This article will help you decide whether you need to include your relevant coursework.

You can also browse through our Resume Examples where you can see a perfect one for your dreamed position.

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If you are a student or have just graduated, it is possible that you don’t have enough professional experience to show. So a good way to demonstrate your expertise is by including your relevant coursework.

However, if you already have a year or more work experience, this section won’t be much of a help.

Then you should focus on the professional experience and achievements you’ve accomplished.

Even if you are a student or freshly graduated, there are jobs, for which relevant coursework won’t be helpful. For example a cashier or a waiter. If you are looking for these jobs, better emphasize on your technical skills and past experience.

If you’re applying for a job that emphasizes the importance of academic experience, like an internship or other education-focused position, it would be best to include a relevant coursework section on your resume.

Whether they are needed or not, look through the job description. This could help you understand what to write. If they’re looking for a certain diploma, certification, portfolio or GPA, these are indicators that you should include.

How much coursework you fit into your resume and where you include it depends on three factors:

• The number of relevant courses you’ve taken
• The detail you want to include
• The space you have

Most people include relevant coursework in the education section of their resumes.

To do this, just write “Relevant Coursework” beneath the degree name, and then use commas to separate the titles of the courses.

If you have enough space, you could also make a bullet list. This way it would be easier for the Recruiter to read.

Another way to write it is a separate section.

We, from Enhancv, have made that easy. Just go to our resume builder and make the most of it.

Write your relevant courses as a separate section if you want to include more than just the names of the classes. A perfect way to tell the Recruiter what you have learned through your studies when they are related to the job you are applying to.

Couple with academic achievements / GPA

If you don’t want to use a separate section, or you don’t have enough space for it, you can always couple them with your academic achievements or with your GPA.

Decide which to use in your resume, after you read the job description and see which is going to be more helpful to you to get that job.

If you have created a separate section for your coursework, just write the most important courses, depending on the job description.

Don’t put in all of your classes. It is going to take a lot of space and it would only distract the Recruiter.

If your coursework is crucial to the position consider putting it closer to the top of your resume.

If the class is necessary for the Hiring Managers don’t put it in the education section, because it could get lost along with all of the information.

Only list the names of your classes on your resume. Your university probably uses an internal system to number your courses, however, the employers wouldn’t know or care what the numbers mean.

If you have created a separate section for your coursework write just the most important courses, depending on the job description.

Don’t put all of your courses. It is going to take a lot of space and it would only distract the Recruiter.

Only list the name of your classes on your resume. Your university probably uses an internal system to number your courses, however, the employers won’t know or care what the numbers mean.

As we said earlier, coursework is a good way to show your educational achievements. However, there are times when it’s better not to include them.

If it’s been some time since you have been in school and the coursework is outdated, it might be best to leave the specifics off your resume.

What is more, keep an eye on the length of your resume. If you have just graduated or still a student, better make it no longer than one page. If there is no space for the related coursework, don’t include them if they are not specifically asked for in the job description.

Don’t include courses that are in no way relevant for the position.

If you have successfully finished a course in “Art History”, but you are applying to a position in a call center, don’t include it in your resume.

It will not help you to get the job you want and it will distract the Hiring Manager from your skills related to the position.

There are many other sections, which you can include if you have no experience. And sometimes, they could be much more important than the coursework.

According to Deloitte, 82% of hiring managers prefer applicants with volunteer experience.

They believe volunteer work makes you a good leader and strengthens your communication skills.

You should include your volunteer work when it is relevant to your professional development.

It can put you in good light and make you stand out among other applicants..

Check the great example from Avery Leclerq:

If you don’t have volunteer experience or it is not related to the position you are applying to, choose one of the sections below.

Focus the Hiring Manager’s attention on your experience outside of the university. It could be any extracurricular activity related to the position you are applying to.

For example, you could have been part of your local AIESEC team and participated in their initiatives.

Or you could have been part of a student organization or a club and made your university a better place to study in.

Adding this experience in your cover letter tells the Recruiter that you have developed yourself, your organizational skills, and you are motivated to help others.

Another way to make your resume look good without work experience is by adding activities and projects that are related somehow to the position you are applying for.

Even if they were university or academy projects, you have gained a lot while finishing them.

Recruiters will see that you’re a person who is dedicated to their career path and gains better skills and experience with side projects!

These can help you in identifying yourself and your own personality with the company’s culture fit profile.

Be sure to highlight your personality and unique qualities.

See this example:

As it’s clear, the candidate is an outgoing, extroverted person who enjoys nature, tech and education.

It is a creative way to show your hobbies and interest. What is more, the Recruiter could make a conclusion just by seeing the pie chart and the distribution of time.

There is another section you can use – Passion. It can be used to enhance the effect of the hobbies and interests section.

Adding them is not mandatory, but might be valuable when your life passions are relevant to the job.

Whatever you choose to include, always make sure you present it in a way that sounds and looks professional.

When both are included, they give a complete picture of who you are – not only in your work time.

That will significantly improve your chances of landing an interview, especially if you have a resume without job experience.

Here’s all you need to know about putting relevant coursework on a resume:

• It is not absolutely necessary to list relevant coursework in a resume;
• If you are a student or just graduated they could help you.
• If you have the experience, drop relevant coursework from your resume, and focus on your practical experience and skills.
• Use the education section to present the relevant coursework, you can separate them with commas or make a bullet-pointed list.
• Make a section only for your relevant coursework if the position you’re applying for requires a strong academic background;
• If it is not wanted by the job description, better drop it and focus on volunteer and extracurricular activities, hobbies, and interests relevant to the position.

Still not sure whether or not you should put relevant coursework on a resume? Or maybe it has helped you get your dream job? Write to us in the comments below!

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Your Guide to Conquering College Coursework

Getting good grades in college can be a lot tougher than in high school. For many students, it requires building new skills and establishing new habits. Learning those skills now—before starting college—will help make your transition as easy and as successful as possible.

Mary Sharp Emerson

The transition from high school to college is a big one. Meeting new friends, living on your own, and creating your own schedule are just some of the new, exciting challenges that await you.   

In the excitement of starting a new life on campus, college coursework can sometimes become a second priority.

However, adjusting to college coursework is often the biggest challenge of all. Even the best students may be surprised at how difficult college courses are. The subject matter is more complex. The workload is larger. And instructors’ standards are higher.

Mastering college-level courses requires a new level of independence, advocacy, engagement, and time management.

You can prepare yourself to succeed before you even get to campus. Identifying the skills you need, and building those skills into established habits, will help make your transition to college academics, and college life, easier, less stressful, and more successful.

Be engaged in your college coursework

College courses require your full attention and active participation.

And the more you engage with your teachers, teaching assistants, and classmates both in and out of the classroom, the easier it will be for you to succeed in that class.

The importance of active listening

Active listening is one of the most critical parts of engaging in a course, according to Gina Neugebauer, assistant director of Harvard Summer School’s Secondary School Program.

“Professors and teaching assistants can tell if you’re actively listening. They notice if you’re taking notes and making eye contact. They also notice if you’re distracted by your phone or computer,” notes Neugebauer.

Active listening means not checking your social media accounts or texting friends during class.

It also means really giving the instructor and your classmates your full attention.

It sounds easy in theory but it takes practice. It can be tough to not think about all the work you have or your next party. But the more you work on actively listening, the easier it will be to not get distracted and miss important information in class.

Different ways to actively participate

Beyond active listening, there are many ways to participate in a course. And you can tailor your level of engagement to your personality and comfort level.

“It’s all about gauging what you’re comfortable with,” says Neugebauer.

“You may not be the person who raises their hand all the time but you actively respond to online discussion posts, for example. You may not feel comfortable talking in front of hundreds of students in a large lecture hall but you take advantage of TA office hours and email the instructor with questions.”

But don’t be afraid to push yourself if you aren’t someone who usually speaks up in class.

It’s ok to start small. Work on raising your hand in small seminars or discussion sections. As you gain confidence, you’ll find it gets easier to answer questions and share your opinions.

Build independence and advocate for yourself

In college, you are responsible for your own success. You will need to advocate for yourself and know when—and how—to ask for help. That requires a level of independence that you may not have needed in high school.

The good news is that instructors and teaching assistants want to help you.

“Instructors, on the whole, enjoy hearing from you. And they’d rather hear from you right from the start, rather than have you struggle on your own for three weeks,” says Neugebauer.

If you have a question about an assignment, send your instructor an email. Are you upset about a grade you got on a recent test? Visit your instructor or TA during office hours to discuss what went wrong and how you can improve.

But remember, says Neugebauer, professors are busy and you are only one of many students.

“Your email should include your full name, what course you’re taking, and a brief description of your question or concern. And you cannot expect an answer at 2 a.m. because that’s when you’re studying. When you reach out to an instructor, give them 24-48 hours to respond.”

And remember, always be respectful and non-confrontational.

Challenge yourself in a college course. Get a sneak peak at college life.

Explore summer programs for high school students.

Don’t be afraid to seek help

If you have excelled in high school without extra help, you might be tempted to persevere on your own.

In college, Neugebauer points out, asking for help is the norm.

“Once you get into your undergraduate program, you’ll find that almost everyone has, at some point, asked a TA for extra tutoring, gone to a tutoring center, or a writing or math center for extra help. It’s part of the learning process of an undergraduate program,” Neugebauer says.

Colleges have a variety of support systems in place to help you succeed.

TA office hours are a great place to start if you find yourself struggling with a specific concept or assignment. Peer tutoring programs enable you to learn from students who have been through the course themselves. Academic coaches can help with more general study tips or exam-related stress.

The key is seeking out help proactively, before you get too far behind. As the courses become more difficult, catching up becomes increasingly difficult.

Build time management techniques

Balancing everything that comes with life on a college campus can be difficult for many incoming college students.

“The biggest challenge we see facing high school students who are trying to adapt to college life is overcommitment. Students want to engage in every activity, a full course load, and even sometimes a part-time job. They don’t schedule enough time for self-care, quiet time, doing laundry, and plenty of study time. All those things take time,” Neugebauer says.

Good study habits and time management are key to avoiding the stress that comes from getting overcommitted.

Neugebauer recommends getting into the habit of keeping an accurate and up-to-date calendar.

“The best thing I can recommend is a calendar, such as Google Calendar. Use it to schedule everything: your class, your lunch time, time at the gym. It may seem counterintuitive, but work on scheduling literally everything, even sleep.”

Be sure to include assignments, tests, and other deadlines, as well as office hours for your instructors, TAs, and academic coaches.

Use your calendar to block off dedicated study time. And once you schedule it, stick to it! Avoid the temptation to procrastinate or use that time to hang out, play video games, or scroll on your phone.

Your calendar should also include dedicated time for self-care.

Regular mealtimes, good exercise habits, and a full night’s sleep are not only critical for your physical and mental health. You’ll also be surprised at how much they contribute to your academic success.

Challenge yourself as you engage in college coursework

Getting outside your comfort zone is a critical part of preparing yourself for the exciting challenges that await you in college.

“Being uncomfortable allows for growth. It means saying to yourself, ‘this is new. I want to try it. I want to see how it feels.’ This is all about adapting to a new environment but also examining yourself as a person,” says Neugebauer.

Taking on a new challenge—regardless of the ultimate outcome—builds resilience, mental toughness, and confidence, all of which you will need to succeed in your college courses.

But, warns Neugebauer, it’s also important to know your limitations.

“That uncomfortable feeling should be manageable. It should be a challenge but not so challenging that you feel panicked and wake up in cold sweats every night. It should be something that gets you a little nervous but also excited about what you’re involved in every day.”

However you decide to challenge yourself, it’s never too early to start if college is in your future. The sooner you start identifying and mastering the skills you need in college, the better prepared you’ll be to succeed right from day one.

Spend your summer at Harvard!

About the Author

Digital Content Producer

Emerson is a Digital Content Producer at Harvard DCE. She is a graduate of Brandeis University and Yale University and started her career as an international affairs analyst. She is an avid triathlete and has completed three Ironman triathlons, as well as the Boston Marathon.

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Studying for CompTia A+, what resources to use? A+ Question ( self.CompTIA )

submitted 1 year ago by Alliecatastrophe

Hello, I'm preparing to start studying for the CompTia A+ Core 1 and Core 2 exams, but need a little help deciding what sources to use. I know I could use all of them, but it feels time inefficient and I want to use my time wisely.

I know about Messer's free youtube lessons and have been idly starting to listen, but the thing is, while I can learn a lot by writing stuff down, I'm much more of a visual learner. I learn best by seeing and working through problems myself. Plus I know there are PBQ's and I want to prepare for that.

I also have ADHD and I hear Messer's stuff is pretty dry and I want to be able to focus long enough to retain the info.

Mike Meyers I know breaks it down more and has fun with it but is possibly less informative.

James Dion seems to be the opposite, a lot of info to the point of overpreparing but is worse than Messer's videos in terms of dryness.

I have heard good things recently about Andrew Ramdayal who is more visual, but I'd like second opinions.

Any help is welcome.

Want to add to the discussion?

Post a comment!

[–] [deleted] 2 points 3 points 4 points 1 year ago   (2 children)

Honestly, Messer and Ramdayal helped me pass with the first exam. I’ve tried Dion’s courses but for sure it’s being over prepared for the exam. Would it help? Sure, but I’m not looking to get overloaded with information; or possibly niche things that probably won’t be on the exam.

What helped me with Messer is listening (Including Ramdayal) But up the playback speed to 1.50x or 2x if you can listen well. Trust me, if the speed is ramped up you’ll be in the state of focus pretty quick. I’d also say grab his notes if you can. Those with the combo of his videos sealed the deal for me on the 1102.

[–] Alliecatastrophe [ S ] 1 point 2 points 3 points 1 year ago   (1 child)

I have been listening at 1.5 speed, but I struggle a little with auditory processing (also an adhd thing) so I wanted to see if there were others who similarly had my struggles. So far I have listened a bit and also bought Dions practice tests, but I will check Ramdayal out too!

And yeah I know Dion over prepares and Messer has some gaps in his teaching so Im not sure what is best. Being overprepared is better than being underprepared but still lol. Getting loaded with useless info that can be used for the actual objectives helps no one

[–] [deleted] 1 point 2 points 3 points 1 year ago   (0 children)

Oh no, I can for sure relate. Not saying I have adhd, but it took me too long for comfort to finish and go through a course. I’ve gone through resource after resource hoping for a one stop shop that’ll get me through the exam. But I found it was best to do a bit of one, and do a bit of another.

Messer and Ramyadal were both it for me. I’d say go through both, do practice exams for Dion (I found those essential) and focus on weaker areas that the test tells you. What helped along side the speed listening, was reading the notes alongside the videos. It’s like reading alongside a teacher from school, imo.

Also, just in case you don’t know: you can access Udemy content for free through a local library. Grab a library card and use it!

[–] idblz CSIS 1 point 2 points 3 points 1 year ago   (0 children)

Professor messor on YouTube. Take notes review the notes. Jason Dions practice exams then take the exam.

[–] handroid2049 Security+ A+ 0 points 1 point 2 points 1 year ago   (0 children)

I have tried Messer, Dion and Myers and the one I have got on best with is Total Seminars/Mike Myers. I just find the material so much more engaging and for the first time I really feel like I properly understand the concepts I’m learning to be able to confidently answer questions and actually know/understand the material (not just blindly memorising it). Im definitely seeing a difference in the number of practice questions I’m getting right too.

I will probably use all three to an extent still, but my main resources are definitely the Total seminars courses and the Mike Myers and All-in-One books.

I think you just have to go with the material that works best for you and how you learn. For me that is definitely Total Seminars. I used to find the studying a bit boring for A+, but now I actually really enjoy it and am learning so much more. There is no one-size fits all Path and I wished I’d learned that sooner instead of struggling on because everyone said a particular course was the best. It’s not about being the best, but being the best fit for you.

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Should You Include Relevant Coursework on Your Resume?

What to include, how to list it, and when it is appropriate (with examples).

Work experience can be hard to come by when you’re a full-time student, and maybe you’ve only had an internship or two. You might be anxious that your resume is essentially a blank page.

So how can you show employers what you bring to the table?

One way to add relevant experience to your resume is to include relevant coursework. The college courses that you’ve taken can highlight your academic achievements, niche skillsets, knowledge in a certain area, or anything else that gives you an edge in your job search.

The relevant coursework section is optional for a reason, however: everything you list needs to be relevant to the role that you’re applying for. Listing random classes won't help hiring managers see that you’re the right fit for the job.

According to the Stanford Career Center , whether or not you add coursework "depends on the skills required, if by adding your coursework you are able to demonstrate that you have gained specific skills for that job, then it might be worth adding a few courses."

Here are some tips to help you decide whether you need a resume section for your relevant coursework, or if there is a better way to show potential employers why they want to hire you. 

Formatting Your Resume Like a Pro

The first thing you need to do is think about how to format the rest of your resume. Relevant coursework can be a valuable addition, but you need to position it correctly with the rest of your experience. Websites like Canva provide a variety of resume templates that you can use to start. 

First of all, it's essential to note: an entry-level resume should be exactly a page long, no more, no less. This shows off a variety of experience and helps potential employers read it quickly and easily.

Within that page, you need to include multiple sections including education, experience, skills, and volunteer work/extracurriculars.

 With so many potential sections, where does relevant coursework fit in?

Tricks to Make Your Education Section Shine

For most folks, the education section of your resume includes your degree (Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, etc) and GPA. Depending on how you choose to format, it may encompass research projects, awards, academic achievements, or even extracurricular activities and volunteer experience.

If you choose to include relevant coursework in your resume, it also belongs in the education section. There are several options when formatting your relevant coursework section, but make sure that it’s a clearly labeled subsection listed below your degree.

Option 1: Additional Line

Beneath your degree, make a list of courses that you think best represent your knowledge and expertise as related to the job description. Here’s an example:

Option 2: Bullet points

If you have more space available on your resume, you can make your relevant coursework section more impactful by spacing out the courses in a bullet point list. 

Option 3: Detailed bullet points

You can go the extra step and add descriptions of each course to your bulleted list. This is a good option if the course titles don’t make the content of the course clear. You can use descriptions to show how the courses are applicable to the job.

Option 4: A separate section

If the position you want requires a particularly strong academic focus, you can create an entirely separate section just for your related coursework, so you can go into even greater detail. However, this will not be necessary for most positions.

The Only Things to Include in Your Relevant Coursework Section

If you choose to add relevant coursework, the courses should always be applicable for the position. If you’re applying for a job in software engineering, a recruiter probably won’t care about your biology classes. However, they definitely want to know what programming languages you're proficient in what domain expertise you have. Even if you haven’t had work experience in the field yet, your computer science classes probably provided a solid foundation. 

Pay close attention to the job description: what hard skills or unique experiences are they looking for? How do your courses relate?

The job description may provide other queues about how to tailor your education section. They may be looking for a specific certification that you'll need an online course to fulfill. Or, they may require a specific GPA or degree type, which could make or break your chances of getting the job. Knowing that a potential employer cares about your GPA is also a good way to gauge if they care about your college courses.

When to Include a Relevant Coursework Section

✅ When including the section is a good idea...

There are some circumstances when adding relevant coursework to your resume is a great idea. Here are a few:

• When you have limited work experience. This is especially applicable if you are a college student or a recent high school graduate. Adding relevant coursework allows you to showcase knowledge and skillsets that a recruiter wouldn’t see in your work experience.
• For jobs that place a higher value on educational accomplishments. Some roles are more interested in your academic expertise (and the papers, projects, and awards that come along with it) than your hands-on experience. 
• When you're switching careers . If you've taken online courses (or even recent college courses) that relate to your new role, include them! Show potential employers that you're dedicated to learning about the field. 

❌ When including the section is unnecessary...

Although it may not be harmful, there are a lot of times when including classes is just unnecessary. Here are a few:

• When you have a lot of experience. If you’ve had several jobs or internships’ worth of relevant work experience, then you probably don’t need to include college courses unless they’re strongly related to the role. At that point in your career, you have professional experiences and achievements that you can point to instead. Highlight a work project or initiative rather than a school project, as it will likely be more relevant.
• For jobs that won't take it into account. Some companies don't find coursework helpful in the hiring process, or don't take it into account (example: retail and food service jobs)
• When it's unrelated to your career path. You might have a degree in an area that doesn’t intersect with your current career path, in which case your professional experience will be far more important to include. 

Main Takeaways

Including relevant coursework on your resume is entirely optional, but it can be a welcome addition to a resume when it’s, keyword, relevant .

When applying to jobs, dedicate time and attention to each section of your resume in order of importance. If you choose to include a relevant coursework subsection, make sure you’re tailoring it to each job you apply for.

If you think your college courses are the key to getting hired, then make the section prominent. If not, then be sure to add other sections to your resume to showcase your skillset and expertise. 

👉 Read Next:   How far back should your resume go?

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How to List Relevant Coursework On Resume [Tips & Examples!]

If you’re a college student, recent graduate, or entry-level professional, chances are you don’t have a lot of professional experience to list on your resume. 

This, in turn, might make you feel insecure about your application, especially considering that the work experience section is among the most important section of a resume. 

Well, listing your relevant coursework might just be the answer!

By listing the courses that are relevant to the job position or internship you’re applying for, you can show recruiters that while you don’t have much work experience, you have the right skills and knowledge for the job.

But what is the right way to list relevant coursework on your resume and is there a time when you shouldn’t list it all? And what exactly is relevant, to begin with?

In this article, we’re going to answer all those questions and more. Read on to learn:

When Is Relevant Coursework Necessary on a Resume?

• How to List Relevant Coursework on Your Resume in 3 Steps

7 Tips on Listing Relevant Coursework on Your Resume

Resume example with relevant coursework.

And more! Let’s dive right in. 

What Makes Coursework Relevant?

Professional experience is one of the most important sections of a successful resume, but you first need to land a job to start building it. 

Which begs the question, how can a recent graduate or entry-level professional prove they’ve got what it takes for an entry-level position with no, or minimal, professional experience ? 

Well, this is where coursework comes in. 

Together with academic projects and achievements, as well as extracurricular activities, listing relevant coursework can help students and entry-level professionals show they’ve got the necessary skills for the job despite not having the relevant professional experience.

The coursework you list on your resume should actually be related to the position you’re applying for.

For example, if you’re applying for a job as a graphic designer, listing your achievements in your World History class won’t really impress recruiters. If, on the other hand, you mention that you were top of your class in Design and Layout , you’ll be effectively showing recruiters that you have great potential as an up-and-coming graphic designer. 

To sum things up, here are the top cases when relevant coursework is necessary on a resume:

• When you’re still a student
• When you’re applying with an entry-level resume
• When you’re applying for an internship
• When the coursework is directly related to the job position 

If, on the other hand, you have 2+ years of work experience in the field, as well as the needed skill-set, coursework on your resume will only take up space and can be skipped entirely.

Checking the job description is another way of determining whether you should add relevant coursework to your resume. If, for example, the job description requires that you list your majors, GPA, diploma, or portfolio, chances are they’ll also be interested in your coursework, especially if it’s relevant to the position. 

How to List Relevant Coursework on Your Resume in 3 Steps 

So you’ve established that you should include relevant coursework on your resume. Now, you may be wondering where exactly to include it. 

As a rule of thumb, coursework is listed under an applicant’s education history. Depending on whether you have any professional experience to list, the education section may come before or after the work experience section. 

Here are the four best ways to add relevant coursework to your resume: 

#1. Add a New Line in Your Education Section

Instead of creating a fresh section called “Relevant Coursework,” you’re better off just adding the courses to your education section.

As a student resume can be one-page max , this helps you to save up the space needed for other essential resume sections.

Here’s a practical example of what this looks like on the resume of a recent graduate applying for a high-school teaching position: 

BA in World Literature 

UC Berkeley

2012 - 2016

Relevant coursework: British Literature, American Literature, Medieval Literature, William Shakespeare, Language and Cognitive Development 

#2. List Your Relevant Coursework in Bullet Points

To make your relevant coursework more visible and reader-friendly, list them in bullet points underneath your diploma title. 

Here’s how the above Literature graduate’s resume would look like following this formatting: 

Relevant Coursework: 

• British Literature
• American Literature 
• Medieval Literature 
• William Shakespeare 
• Language and Cognitive Development

#3. Explain How The Coursework is Relevant to the Position 

Finally, if you want to take your relevant coursework resume section to the next level, add detailed explanations to your courses to support how they’re relevant to the position you’re applying for or how they helped develop your skill-set. 

A recent study found that companies are suspending the use of degree completion as a proxy and instead now favor hiring on the basis of demonstrated skills and competencies . This means that your relevant coursework should aim to show exactly how it has helped you acquire the skills required for the position. 

Here’s an example of how that would play out for a journalism student applying for an entry-level reporting job at a newspaper:

B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication

Northwestern University, IL

2015 - 2018

• Writing and Reporting: Learned the ins and outs of news reporting through several practical assignments and exams.
• Media Ethics: Got introduced to the most essential ethical theories and decision-making strategies in journalism and wrote a paper on Ethical Journalism and Human Rights that got published in the Political Communication Journal.
• Gathering and Developing the News: Gained first-hand experience in interviewing, researching, newsgathering, and communicating with sources.

To make sure your coursework is as relevant as possible, check out the required skills in the job description. If you have taken classes that have helped you master those skills, then make sure to mention how by adding all the necessary details, as shown above. 

Here are seven tips you should always keep in mind when listing coursework on your resume: 

• Take advantage of keywords . When evaluating your resume, recruiters scan it to look for the keywords that were mentioned in the job description (e.g. skills, experiences, etc.). You can re-read the job ad and, where relevant, include these keywords in your coursework section.
• Tailor your resume to the job offer.  In order for your coursework to add value to your resume, it really needs to be relevant. So, if you’re applying for a job that doesn’t take academic background into consideration or that’s completely unrelated to your major, you’re better off omitting coursework altogether and focusing on other important sections, such as your hard and soft skills. 
• List online courses. If you’ve completed some online courses that are relevant to the position you’re applying for, feel free to also include them under relevant coursework. 
• Add value through other academic achievements. Relevant coursework can say a lot about your potential, but recruiters will be even more easily convinced if you support it with other academic achievements, including your GPA, extracurricular activities, etc. 
• Show how you’ve grown. When you’re explaining your relevant coursework in detail, you can include how you’ve grown by listing all the skills you acquired in the process. Those can be both soft skills, like communication and interpersonal skills, and hard skills like programming or doing extensive research. 
• Change the relevant coursework as you progress. Many college students start working in their freshman year. If that’s the case with you, make sure to update your resume from year to year to reflect your academic journey and most recently acquired skills. 
• Check for errors. A well-written, error-free resume shows that you’re attentive to detail and that you care to make a good impression. 

Key Takeaways 

And that’s a wrap! You now have all the necessary information to add relevant coursework to your resume effectively. 

Before you start working on your resume, though, here’s a brief summary of the key points covered in this article:

• Listing relevant coursework on your resume is not mandatory but can be very helpful if you’re a student or an entry-level professional.
• If you have at least a year of professional experience, drop your relevant coursework and focus on tailoring your work experience and skills sections to the position. 
• Relevant coursework typically goes under the education section. You can either give a general or a detailed summary of your coursework. 
• You can make a separate relevant coursework section only if the job you’re applying for requires a strong academic record. 
• Your coursework needs to be relevant to the position. This means you should leave them out of your resume if they have nothing to do with the role.

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Best of Reddit: 22 Tips for Coding for Beginners

Reddit can be a treasure trove of tips for coding, programming techniques, and even industry best practices if you want to learn how to code or are an entry-level developer. However, it’s only right to think about how the advice applies to your particular context. 

In this article, I’m going to dig deep into the wealth of information provided and dig out some reddit coding tips. I’ll then summarize the most important things to keep in mind as you get into tech and grow into your career. Some comments have been edited for clarity and brevity.

Let’s dive right in!

General advice for beginner coders from Reddit

Which language should i start with coding tips from reddit.

• Reddit coding tips for good projects to begin with 
• Final thoughts

Beginner coders can be defined as people who are very new to the world of programming and are just getting started with their learning or are still at the junior level.

Ironically, it’s possible to feel like an entry-level programmer , even if you have some experience with real-world projects. This is because there’s always so much to learn , as this Redditor aptly put it:

That feeling of “wow, what I know is a drop in the bucket” never goes away because the more you learn, the more you realize you don’t know. Don’t let that get in the way of learning.

Redditors have copious amounts of advice for new coders. Let’s find some main points:

1. Learn how to learn

Learning how to learn is arguably one of the best skills you could garner as a beginner developer.

Coursera has a popular course known as “ Learning How to Learn. ”

It’s free and teaches you concepts like diffuse and focused thinking, Pomodoro techniques, repetition and practice, removing distractions, and not multitasking. 

These concepts form a strong foundation for you to learn fast and effectively as you start your coding journey and even later on in your career.

You can find a summary of the course over on Reddit.

2. Start small

While the advice you receive, especially at the beginning, can seem daunting, you need to start small. If you’re very new to coding, then you need to get started with basic syntax in a particular programming language.

As you learn the basics, you can do coding challenges that increase in complexity and then coursework mini-projects before you start to build more complex projects.

When you’re a bit comfortable in the programming language, you can learn industry best practices like testing, debugging, and version control.

A Reddit comment on the r/AskReddit subreddit summarizes “ starting small ” handily:

“If you want to do something, I’d suggest getting the syntax of a language down as well as how to use the standard modules/packages in that language. Don’t waste too much time with ‘hello world ’-type tutorials—maybe a few will suffice as practice for the language, and the rest will be figured out as you go. Just make sure you have a good idea of how to program in general (e.g., program flow, loops, objects, and classes).”

3. Get some structure

Having some structure is a great tip for coding when you’re learning—it helps you stay on track and see the progress that you’re making. If you want to learn coding by following random YouTube tutorials or blogs, you may miss crucial basics and realize you can’t apply any acquired knowledge.

This is where structured courses like bootcamps, MOOCs , or university courses come into play. You also get to learn alongside others, which helps you stay on track, and even access mentorship and job opportunities through partnerships with companies.

A Redditor who’s been programming for 15 years with six years of professional development answers the question, “ What’s your advice for someone on Day 1 of their programming journey ?” by saying:

“I’d recommend taking whatever intro Computer Science course your university offers if you can; it’ll give you structured learning with a teacher and TAs to ask questions of. ”

This is why successful coding bootcamps invest in student support to help learners on their journeys. In the technological rush, the human effect got somewhat sidelined and underestimated somewhat in education. There are many people who can learn by themselves at their own pace, but almost everyone needs to reach out to a community for support, reassurance, or direction.

It’s important to find what works for your own learning style . On the same thread, another Redditor adds,

“I’d recommend starting with freeCodeCamp’s introduction to JavaScript course. As someone with very bad ADHD, the structure they provide of giving you a half-page to read, followed immediately by a challenge that you pass or fail before moving onto the page, was ideal for me.”

4. Stay curious

Staying curious will take you a long way in your coding journey. Tech also changes quite fast, so curiosity will help you stay up-to-date. 

As you learn, try to think about how some people are implementing what you’re learning “in real life.” Go to tech events and hear about some interesting innovations.

A Redditor uses a medical records example:

“Imagine you’re doing something with medical records. They didn’t teach you that at Udemy, a MOOC, or getting your BS in CompSci. You have to look at what’s really happening and talk to people. How do actual people do this stuff? Doctors, nurses, filing clerks, insurance companies, patients, and so on. Every one of those people has something important to tell you about how they use these records. Each one of them is a trove of experience you must mine. By the time you’re done solving the problem, you’ll know as much about that area as many experts, but not before you talk to the people.”

If possible, get a “study buddy.” You can find online communities with structured learning times and join them. This will keep you on track, especially on the days you’re a bit frustrated and tired.

Getting a mentor is useful too, as you have someone else look at your code and give you feedback.  It’s why CareerFoundry have made their Dual Mentorship model a cornerstone of their Full-Stack Development Program . Every student benefits from an experienced tutor as well as 1:1 consultations with their mentor, a seasoned coder who has seen it all.

Outside of your program, there are several platforms where you can link up with a mentor to help you, like ADPList , Get Merit , and CodeMentor .

5. Ask questions

Ask questions about something that’s not clear to you or something you’re trying to implement but are stuck on.

A Redditor on the “ programming lords of Reddit ” thread emphasizes that you should:

“ask questions, no matter how stupid you think they are.” ‘

Most importantly, show the steps that you’ve taken to try and understand or accomplish something on your own. It’ll show the person that you’re asking for help from that you tried.

Ask questions at tech events, at school, and online in community forums to ensure that you keep moving forward.

A Redditor adds that tooling can be difficult, and you can get lots of help from various places:

“My advice when you have tooling issues is to read the docs, ask questions on help forums (tool-specific subs, discords, and forums).”

Most importantly, learn how to ask questions . Try to explain what you’re trying to do in a more general sense. It will sharpen your problem-solving skills over time.

Incorporate best practices into your code

While, as a beginner, everything you need to learn can feel overwhelming, learning to incorporate best practices will result in you becoming a better developer.

This way, you don’t pick up “bad coding habits” that could cost you and your team, and even the future clients and users you’ll eventually work with.

Some bad practices create something known as “technical debt.” This is when you use “shortcuts” when writing code and then come back later to “fix” things, which costs time and resources, financial or otherwise.

Some best practices you need to learn early on, according to Redditors include:

• SOLID principles
• the OSI model
• writing pseudocode
• diagramming or wireframing
• writing unit tests for your code
• documenting your code (writing the steps you took when implementing it, and how you fixed errors)
• adding appropriate comments
• and using version control

6. Learn how to program

Depending on whether you have a technical background or not, you need to learn the basics of programming as early as possible in your coding journey. 

This means that you need to learn programming algorithms and data structures to solidify your understanding of coding.

This helps you understand how to apply them, when different data structures are appropriate, and the effect they have on your output and things like memory utilization.

In a Reddit thread about “ 3 important tips for anyone who wants to learn programming ” a Redditor who has apparently taught programming since 2003 advises that you should:

“ Focus on learning the concepts of how to program rather than programming languages. Once you learn the logic, design, and concepts of programming fundamentals, learning different languages becomes easier since it’s just syntax .”

7. Learn by doing

As you learn more and more aspects of programming, for example, a particular language’s syntax, you need to start practicing.

After building the project your coursework requires, you need to start thinking about a real-world project that you can build using the knowledge that you have.

You’ll find that you now have to think about how to apply the knowledge you’ve learned, and it’ll probably feel heart-rending at first.

As you find out how to implement small parts of your project, you’ll start to feel a greater sense of achievement and progress.

Moreover, it’ll solidify your understanding of the concepts you’ve been learning.

You might have to re-watch some parts of the coursework and do your research on blogs, videos, and documentation, but eventually, you’ll be a better developer as you add your first project to your portfolio.

A great way to put it is to “ Avoid tutorial hell ”—as you start to learn, build your own small projects for yourself.

8. Don’t be dogmatic

It’s always good to know that there’s always more than one right way of doing something. Rather than stick to what’s set in stone, keep exploring and understanding why things work the way they do.

This goes for programming languages as well. Rather than “getting married” to a single framework or language, strive to understand software development. Languages and frameworks may come and go, but the core of programming will remain the same.

You might be required to learn a whole different programming language for a project at work, for example.

In addition, don’t assume that parts of your code are 100% right and that they cannot possibly have bugs. You’ll be very surprised when you find the bug in the “perfect part of your code” and a little embarrassed.

In Reddit’s words :

  “Never blame other people for bugs, because you’ll be the cause of bugs too, or worse, you’ll be the cause of the bug you’re blaming on someone else. Every programmer had/will have a moment where they thought, ‘Who’s the idiot who…’ to later find out that they are that idiot… Anyway, just find the root cause and fix it, or ask for help.”

9. Learn to negotiate

When you’re ready to start making career moves like getting your second job, you need to learn how to negotiate. Learn the developer market range for your skillset and be confident enough to state that as your salary.

According to one Redditor :

“ If you feel like you’re worth more than what a company is offering for you, don’t be afraid to ask for more money or to walk away and look for something better. ”

At work, learn to show your managers and teammates the amount of time appropriate for a project—don’t just accept impossible deadlines. 

Seek to understand why things are done as they are, and where necessary, learn how to improve them. Liaise with your team leader, of course.

Many factors determine the programming language you should start with. For example, what do you want to be able to do eventually? For example if you want to build a game, then C and C++ might be your first languages.

If you’ve no prior coding experience and no technical background, then more high-level languages like Python , JavaScript , and Ruby are a great place to start.

Where you live in the world could also influence what programming language you learn. If employers in your area tend to hire JavaScript developers, then learning it might be reasonable. Of course, you could always work remotely if your company hires from your country or region or offers relocating options.

Your job or school may dictate what you learn first. If you get into a role via an apprenticeship, for instance, you’re highly likely to learn whatever programming language your company works with. The same goes for school.

It may be a good idea to learn widely used languages. They’re likely to have a vibrant community you can learn from. It would also be easy to find good documentation, resources, and mentorship. 

Let’s explore “Reddit-recommended” languages you should learn first.

Redditors recommend Python as it’s high-level, and does a lot of “behind-the-scenes” work for you. This allows beginners to concentrate on learning things like syntax. It also gives a solid base for developing a good coding style and understanding errors in code. 

Here’s how Reddit’s Python proponents summarize it:

“If you’re just trying to learn how to program for the first time, and that’s your main goal, I’d choose Python. Python is a very high-level programming language that does a lot of the behind-the-scenes grunt work for you, encourages (though cannot mandate) good coding style, can be run pretty easily, gives pretty good error messages, and is unlikely to do any real damage to anything unless you actively try. It’s also pretty fun to code in.”

Python is also widely used, ranking third on the 2023 Stack Overflow developer survey.

Some downsides of learning Python include the fact that it’s dynamically typed, meaning that you don’t explicitly specify data types. It’s therefore likely to accept the wrong input. As a result, you need to add ways to curb this in your code.

11. C and/or C++

The proponents of C and C++ argue that these two are low-level languages that give you a solid understanding of programming. These languages have strong or static typing, which is arguably great for a beginner.

The C supporters think that:

“A more C-like language is probably good to start with. Like C# or Java. They’re more structured and low-level enough that they provide good understanding while being high-level enough that you won’t rip your hair out because of memory issues. Plus strong, static typing. I think that’s pretty big for a beginner.”

Strongly typed programming languages explicitly declare data types in their code. This could reduce some errors that may result from your program working with incorrect data. That’s one less thing for a beginner to think about.

C will also make you learn how to do things the “hard way” from the get-go which should make it easier to learn pretty much anything later.

If anything, most high-level languages are written in C (including Python, PHP, JavaScript, Ruby, and the Java runtime).

There’s a reason why Harvard’s popular CS50 course includes C, right? Some Redditors point out that C might be difficult for a beginner, though.

According to Redditors, Java would be the sweet spot between Python and C. It’s strongly typed and platform-agnostic, thanks to the Java Virtual Machine (JVM), which generates code that can run on different operating systems, known as bytecode.

Java supporters on Reddit say that:

“Java is another commonly-used programming language that can help ease the transition between Python and C and that also has some merits of its own for being relatively platform-independent thanks to JVM and having strong Object Oriented Programming.”

Java is also widely used for developing mobile applications on Android.

13. JavaScript

Over time, JavaScript has become the go-to language for web development. It’s therefore not surprising that the Reddit community vouches for it.

Redditors say that “JavaScript is ubiquitous. It’s a gateway language, and learning any code is never a bad decision.”

According to the Stack Overflow Developer Survey, JavaScript’s title of being the most commonly used language for the last 11 years remains unchallenged.

Ruby is beginner-friendly, thanks to its clean structure and readability. Its syntax is very close to that of natural human languages, making it easier to learn. It’s also great for scripting use cases.

The r/ruby subreddit has a lot to say about learning Ruby in 2024 . This comment summarizes it well:

“Ruby is excellent, but not quite popular enough to land an easy job right off the bat. I’d say to use it to learn programming paradigms and build your projects with it. Have fun with it. And once you get your foot in the door somewhere, that can help you bring it into your professional work. Automating things, testing things, and building little tools to help with work.”

Redditors, however, seem to agree that it isn’t a great option if you’re looking to get an entry-level role soon. It’s nonetheless a great language to help you learn programming concepts and build projects, making your transition into other languages pretty easy.

There are a lot of systems that still use Ruby that need developers to maintain them, though.

While PHP might not be the “cool kid on the block” and has managed to garner quite a bit of haters, its supporters bring to the fore that it’s a great language to learn first as it’s easy to pick up even with just the basics in HTML/CSS and JavaScript.

You can use PHP with barely any plugins to build simple sites and use frameworks like Laravel for more complex web apps.

There are also a lot of sites written in PHP , and companies need developers with PHP skills to maintain them, says Redditors.

“A decent chunk of all web services are written in PHP, and companies need skilled devs to maintain them.”

PHP also has lots of extensions, packages, and tools you can use in your development work.

16. The language you learn first doesn’t matter

Some people on Reddit think that the programming language you start with doesn’t matter. This is because all programming languages will have the same basics — syntax, data structures, and algorithms.

Moreover, what matters is whether the applications and solutions we build solve real-world and business problems at a reasonable cost, not the languages and technologies they use. 

The programming language that’s most applicable to whatever you’re looking to build, for example, a project, should be the one you learn.

Some recommend that after getting comfortable with your first programming language, you can switch to another with a similar abstraction level, for instance, “from Python to Java or C# to JavaScript.”

You should also ensure that you learn a language that will be around for a long time rather than one that keeps changing frequently.

You can then have a crack at low-level languages like C and C++. Eventually, explore some other functional programming languages, like Haskell. 

It takes years to achieve mastery, so you need to be “a few years old” in your coding journey before delving into the murky waters of languages like Haskell and Scheme.

All in all, the programming language you choose to learn first should take into consideration things like wide usage, community support, your technical background, and the goal you want to achieve.

Reddit coding tips for good projects to begin with

Projects go a long way in helping you solidify coding concepts. This is why it’s a good idea to go for a highly practical programming course with lots of mini-projects and coding challenges.

As you learn new concepts that increase in complexity, the mini-projects should reflect the same.

You should then “store” these projects on code hosting platforms like GitHub , GitLab , and Bitbucket.

17. Coursework mini-projects

You’re probably going to start with mini-projects if you’re early in your coding journey.

The question is whether these “mini-projects” are enough to demonstrate your coding and problem-solving abilities.

You’re likely to find tutorials that detail how to do a Tic Tac Toe, to-do, or calculator project. Most of the learning here is very guided, though.

While these projects are a good place to start, they may not be the best for your portfolio, as you might be blindly following instructions without actually understanding what’s going on.

When Redditors are asked whether tic-tac-toe is a good project , they say,

“It’s a good project for somebody new to programming to practice their skills. It’s not a good project to convince employers that you can tackle a non-trivial challenge.”

18. Popular projects

There are popular projects that can help you further understand concepts. These tend to be bigger with lots of community support and structure to help you keep making progress forward.

These include “ build-your-own-x” , a GitHub repo with tutorials to help you re-create various technologies from scratch. The projects include Git, Docker, blockchain, augmented reality, and more.

Another popular project for full-stack web developers is the Odin Project . It’s free and helps you build projects that are a great addition to your portfolio. Redditors recommend it a lot.

You can also find short problems and coding challenges to solve on sites like Coding Dojo , HackerRank, and LeetCode that go a long way in helping you prepare for interviews.

19. Personal projects

Personal projects help you demonstrate your ability to identify a problem or gap and create something toward solving the problem or filling the gap.

Redditors advise that you should:

“Try to practice what you learn on some kind of personal project, even if it’s something ‘made up’.”

Better still,

“Create personal projects based on the stack you want to work in . Wanna work in .NET? Create a Blazor project. Wanna work in Python? Create a Flask API.”

They’re also fun since you’re building something that interests you. You’re likely to keep at it even when you can’t figure things out quickly.

Personal projects will also tend to be more complex than you initially thought when you start to build them. This forces you to learn much more about how to implement the learned concepts in a real-world project. 

They’re also a great addition to your resume and portfolio.

If you want to build some personal projects and have no idea what to build, you can check out a GitHub repo with app ideas you can build.

You can add Hackathon projects to your projects, especially if you had a winning solution.

20. Open-source projects

You can also begin to contribute to real-world open-source projects . It might feel daunting at first, but there are several ways to go about it.

You can join summer open-source projects like Google Summer of Code , Major League Hacking (MLH), Outreachy , or projects under the Linux Foundation ( LFX Mentorship ). 

These tend to be extremely competitive, but some may offer stipends and funding for your business idea.

You can also find open-source communities in your area and learn about some projects to contribute to.

There are also beginner-friendly GitHub repos that list out projects you can start with.

21. General project criteria according to Redditors

In the beginning, focus more on well-written code that works as intended based on the technologies that you’re using. If you’re a backend or full-stack web developer , your projects should include:

• REST APIs  
• A “communication” between a backend and frontend
• Single Sign On (SSO) and some other forms of authentication techniques ( SAML , OAuth , and Multi-Factor Authentication  MFA)
• Working with relational and non-relational databases

22. Adding projects to your resume

You, of course, need to add the projects you’ve built to your resume. You could have a project section where you name your project and briefly describe what it does. Make sure to use the keywords in the job description.

In your cover letter, you could add details like how you settled on the technologies that you used and some successes as well as lessons learned.

Depending on whether the application software scans the resume, adding project links might or might not work.

Remember to add your GitHub profile, as recruiters may not have time to go to your personal site or blog, as this Reddit recruiter emphasizes.

“As someone who’s hired a good few software engineers, I rarely go to someone’s personal site, let alone read their blog. Resume and GitHub are all I need (and have time) to look at.”

3. Final thoughts

While seeking tips for coding and advice, especially at the beginning of your career, is great, ultimately, what matters are the actions you take. All the advice in the world won’t make you a highly skilled programmer. Lots of practice, learning, and building projects will.

Once you’ve learned some skills and built some portfolio projects, you’re now a step closer to starting to work on real-world projects. Talk to people, network, and create an online persona to help you showcase what you can do.

Remember, actions prevail over every good piece of advice you’ll ever get.

If you want to learn more about coding, then CareerFoundry’s free 5-day coding short course is a great start. In it, you’ll build and style your own website, using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

You can also read more about the area in these articles:

• What’s the Easiest Programming Language to Learn?
• Will AI Kill Pair Programming?
• How to Code an App for Beginners: A Complete Guide

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