Stanford courses on resume worth it or not?

Do Stanford courses add value to a resume? I spoke with a professor who mentioned that these courses are highly publicized, benefiting Stanford more in their recruitment efforts, and the certificates hold little value from an employer’s perspective. He also pointed out that some beginner/intermediate courses don’t require the expertise of renowned instructors and are simply gold plating.

2 Likes

Billing online courses as “from Stanford” could backfire because the university does not recognize companies like Edx and Coursera. Add a “supplemental coursework” section to your resume with the name of the course, its location, and any credentials you may have obtained to represent online courses with honesty, transparency, and integrity.

Although it won’t get you any favours from the school, this shows that you are interested in expanding your knowledge and skill set.

1 Like

They are not in my opinion. This is just a marketing strategy to benefit Stanford.

“Get recognition for your love of learning” is a popular idea, and I agree with it. However, I’m worried about needing a “certificate of completion” to prove it. Many platforms offer free courses, but you often have to pay for an official certificate. Instead of just listing Python, SQL, and financial modeling, I’d like to show my skill level in those areas. How can I show my passion for learning in my free time without getting a certificate, just by completing the course?

Hello, Junita. Most online edx or Coursera-type courses are nothing. It would matter if you attended classes straight from the school. They must also be relevant to the position for which you are seeking.