Bachelor of Science/Master of Science

[Emiliano]

Here's the situation: my fiancee has an old Italian laurea in physics. These "big" 4-years courses were in effect until the 2001 reform, which splitted post-high school education in a more similar manner to the one you have in the US: 3 years for an undergraduate course (we finish HS one year later) + 2 years for the additional post-graduate course. Unfortunately, the Italian law hasn't exactly been clear regarding the old titles, but at least in the European Union they're recognized as 300 ECTS credits, the exact amount required to complete the 3+2.

The question: since she's sending applications to work in the US (medical physics field), would it be correct to put "Master of Science in Physics" as a title in the CV? I understand this is mostly a case-by-case evaluation, but I figured maybe someone here could offer advice.

[QuikSand]

I think a prospective employee has an obligation to list the precise title that she has actually earned. In this case, I think it should be listed as a laurea, perhaps with an explanatory note giving some context for that. But I would absolutely not advise that she list the degree as a M.S. since it is not.

[Emiliano]

Originally Posted by QuikSand

I think a prospective employee has an obligation to list the precise title that she has actually earned. In this case, I think it should be listed as a laurea, perhaps with an explanatory note giving some context for that. But I would absolutely not advise that she list the degree as a M.S. since it is not.

Good point. Would be appropriate to put "equivalent to your M.S." in the note?

[QuikSand]

Something like that seems appropriate to me.

[Klinglerware]

Originally Posted by QuikSand

I think a prospective employee has an obligation to list the precise title that she has actually earned. In this case, I think it should be listed as a laurea, perhaps with an explanatory note giving some context for that. But I would absolutely not advise that she list the degree as a M.S. since it is not.

On the other hand, I've seen a lot of resumes from people who graduated from schools that granted bachelors degrees with the abbreviation and title specifically in Latin, i.e. A.B. for "Artium Baccalaureus" or whatever it is. Many list it as a "B.A" anyway. I suppose that it is worth it for them to be imprecise if it means that an employer won't mistake it for an Associate's Degree.

As for Emiliano's wife's situation, I would put both the proper name of the degree and the equivalency as her title. Something like "Laurea Magistrale (equivalent to M.S.)" It is probably better to say it up front rather than put it as a note later on, so it doesn't get lost as eyes glaze over the rest of the CV.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by Klinglerware

As for Emiliano's wife's situation, I would put both the proper name of the degree and the equivalency as her title. Something like "Laurea Magistrale (equivalent to M.S.)" It is probably better to say it up front rather than put it as a note later on, so it doesn't get lost as eyes glaze over the rest of the CV.

I think this makes sense. It should definately be noted right after it, as things need to be close together or resumes.

Not sure what resumes look like generally in Italy (for all I know it's the same), but there are somewhat "standard accepted forms" here in the USA Emiliano, and I think if you venture too far from those it can be a negative - she might want to Google and make sure that hers resembles that.

This mean you're leaving Italy and coming over here?

[Passacaglia]

Originally Posted by Emiliano

Good point. Would be appropriate to put "equivalent to your M.S." in the note?

That sounds right to me. I would recommend taking out the "your" though, and go with "equivalent to M.S." instead.

[Passacaglia]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

This mean you're leaving Italy and coming over here?

Yeah, what's the deal? Keep us posted!

[Emiliano]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

Not sure what resumes look like generally in Italy (for all I know it's the same), but there are somewhat "standard accepted forms" here in the USA Emiliano, and I think if you venture too far from those it can be a negative - she might want to Google and make sure that hers resembles that.

Yeah, we did that. We read a lot of resumes and cover letters, trying to resemble them as close as possible.

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

This mean you're leaving Italy and coming over here?

Well, that's the idea. We still both have some "unfinished business" to complete here, but we're very serious about this. The place she works in periodically receives tons of job offers from all over the world, and especially from the USA. That's why we want to test the waters, starting to send some CVs out to see how "real" these offers are.

Won't be easy, I know, but why don't try? We really want to leave this place.

[Emiliano]

Originally Posted by Passacaglia

That sounds right to me. I would recommend taking out the "your" though, and go with "equivalent to M.S." instead.

Good advice. "Your" would be a little too informal.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by Emiliano

Yeah, we did that. We read a lot of resumes and cover letters, trying to resemble them as close as possible.



Well, that's the idea. We still both have some "unfinished business" to complete here, but we're very serious about this. The place she works in periodically receives tons of job offers from all over the world, and especially from the USA. That's why we want to test the waters, starting to send some CVs out to see how "real" these offers are.

Won't be easy, I know, but why don't try? We really want to leave this place.

Well that's cool! Keep us posted. No question is too silly.

[Passacaglia]

Originally Posted by Emiliano

Good advice. "Your" would be a little too informal.

Not just that, but it makes you look more foreign -- if you call it "your" MS, it's like you're pointing out the fact that your system is different. Obviously, you ARE pointing out that your system is different, since you have to, but I think it's something employers will notice, either consciously or unconsciously. Maybe I think about this more because I work in a field with a lot of foreign applicants, but you don't want to send a signal that you're not "one of us" to whoever is looking at the resume.

But that'd be awesome if you made it over here! If you get to the Midwest, let us know -- we'll take you out for rabbit or something.

[3ric]

Investigate if your fiancee's old university can provide a "diploma supplement" in English, which is a translated diploma. In the EU today, universities has to provide graduates a diploma in English as well, if requested. I have one myself, which I requested several years after graduation, just in case I'd need it at some time in the future.

[miked]

Actually, these things are regulated to a degree. I do consulting work for a company that does education evaluations for visas and there has to be actual proof that it's the degree equivalent. That's not to say you can't put it on a resume/CV, but as far as visas go, it will be subject to scrutiny (likely by somebody like me ). There are people who get paid a lot of money by companies justifying educational equivalency, whether or not it's worth it is a different story.

[Klinglerware]

Note to Emiliano, this is your in: be sure that your wife specifically requests that her H1B be personally vetted by miked, a College Benchwarmer at "The Dirty"