Would you include this on a resume?

So I am having this argument with a co-worker who graduated with a degree in Music from a well known 4 year university back in 2008. Her aunt told her she needed to list what the degree was in on her resume. I disagree. First of all, the field she has been in since graduating in 2008 has not been music related. Second, I think most HR managers and hiring people DO NOT know a damn thing about music nor do they probably care. And last, it might actually hurt her because some who don't understand music mike look at it as a " I couldn't figure out what to major in so I got this music degree" I told her just leave it as a "bachelor degree" and the school name, that's it.

Any feedback from anyone out there in the hiring and HR world. She currently works as a buyer/merchandiser in electronic wholesale with a back ground in web design and social media, definitely no "music"

Love to hear your input on this one guys !

 

I would go with your recommendation.

 

The dude abides. I second this. If they ask, you tell them, but don't list it for initial screening for your listed reasons.

That would aslo make them focus more on the actual work part of the resume than continue to wonder what a music major is doing selling stuff.

 

All business REALLY care about is that you have a degree at all. Sure if they ask you tell them but no need to specify on the initial submission.

 

I agree

 

also agree. the truth should never be hidden, that's a huge no no of course, but laying down distractions to the job at hand (a good interview and landing the gig) may tell the interviewer you value worthless distractions. mentioning a music degree in a non-music industry job is water cooler talk.

 

I can see both as options. She’s been doing, what’s she’s doing currently for the past 12yrs. That says a lot

 

Sometimes less is more, I agree with OP

 

Agree, but be a touch more specific. I suspect it's a BA? So Bachelor of Arts from XX University. Of course include any honors like Magna Cum Lucky (mine), Honor Society, etc. as long as the official name is not music specific.

Clearly if asked about 'Bachelors in what?' she answers truthfully.

Couple of interesting notes.

One time my research found a person claiming a degree didn't really have one. Long time employee, mediocre performance, summarily dismissed for falsification.

I found that music and math use the same part of the brain, so music students often make good programmers.

Make sure you recommend she scrub any social media that might need scrubbing. There are a lot of folks not being picked for meaningful roles because researchers find sketchy material on their social media pages.

One person I had a loose affiliation with in a car group used me as a reference applying for a job in our organization. W/o asking my permission. When that manager called me, I pointed him to the Sheriff's website which contained a mug shot and recent arrest. He didn't get the job.

 

yeahhh I would leave that off the resume lol

 

Leave it off, but include extra detail in job duties, etc. To make up for the lack in specification of degree.

But definitely as Clearwater Bill said, "Bachelor of Arts from XX University"

 

thanks guys

 

Listing a music degree won't hurt, and might help. If an employer discovers that you were untruthful on a job application it could be grounds for dismissal later.

Also people with music backgrounds have a completely different learning style and skill sets than someone with a more technical background. A good HR person understands that and knowing that someone has a music background will help knowing which jobs would they would be best suited for. People with music backgrounds are typically more intelligent and can pick up new job skills quickly. If the HR person doesn't understand that it isn't the type of place anyone wants to work anyway.

 

If I were reviewing the resume I’d likely toss it if it didn’t have the degree listed. Someone just putting BA or BS on their resume tells me their degree is not in the line of work they are trying to get hired for. If the coworker has experience for 12 years in the same line of work they are applying for, the experience is more important than the degree regardless.

The real questionis what are they applying for?