St. Albans School - how big a deal?

[Anonymous]

The people who make any judgement based on the listing of a high school and that spend this much time debating it shouldn't be in the positions in which they serve. So what? If the kid is a great student and studied with distinction at any institution so what? You're the douche. Let's look at his/her qualifications and achievements and not become fixated or read into something that's so insignificant. Probably just listed it because they're proud. Maybe their parents aren't partners or congressmen or CEO of a firm and it took great personal sacrifice for them to attend said school. GTFU and STFD. Look at the person and not some misplaced comma. You probably belong to some BS country club and drive some car and get all judgmental because a kid lists a high school.

Douche.

[Anonymous]

Like it or not, being an St. Albans School graduate impresses. In this tough job market, what's the harm in seeking an edge?

[Anonymous]

Most employers laugh at people who put their high school on their resume. Scratch that, ALL employers. I can't imagine a situation in which it wouldn't be met with ridicule, I don't care where you went to high school. If it is relevant in some way -- say you are applying to teach at a Cathedral school. I can't think of any other situation -- you put it in the cover letter.

This is not a judgment on the person's high school achievements. This is just advice based on the way the world works. And if the applicant's parents had to sacrifice to send their son to STA, all the more reason for him NOT to include it on his resume. The ones whose parents didn't sacrifice, the ones who started out with all the advantages, they know enough not to put their friggin high school on their resume. Son of struggling parents will be at even more of a disadvantage if he does.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most employers laugh at people who put their high school on their resume. Scratch that, ALL employers. I can't imagine a situation in which it wouldn't be met with ridicule, I don't care where you went to high school. If it is relevant in some way -- say you are applying to teach at a Cathedral school. I can't think of any other situation -- you put it in the cover letter.

This is not a judgment on the person's high school achievements. This is just advice based on the way the world works. And if the applicant's parents had to sacrifice to send their son to STA, all the more reason for him NOT to include it on his resume. The ones whose parents didn't sacrifice, the ones who started out with all the advantages, they know enough not to put their friggin high school on their resume. Son of struggling parents will be at even more of a disadvantage if he does.

If think the opposite - if you are from the other side of the tracks, having a future employer know you are an STA graduate gives them comfort that you have the education and polish to thrive in that workplace.

[Anonymous]

Just no. Work it into the interview conversation if you really must, but listing your high school on your resume as a pat-college adult is not impressing anyone.

[Anonymous]

If it your first job search after college, especially in this brutal job market, it can only help catch the eye of an employer. Maybe that'll put you in the reject pile. Maybe not. But at least it'll get you noticed, and it only takes one yes to get you on the career path.

[Anonymous]

Yeah seems kind of tacky to me post-college. IMO you should have enough for a one-page resume once you graduate.

I will say I did graduate from a local private in this area and I do belong to a LinkedIn group that advertises opportunities for recent graduates. I wouldn't judge someone for being part of a LinkedIn group.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most employers laugh at people who put their high school on their resume. Scratch that, ALL employers. I can't imagine a situation in which it wouldn't be met with ridicule, I don't care where you went to high school. If it is relevant in some way -- say you are applying to teach at a Cathedral school. I can't think of any other situation -- you put it in the cover letter.

This is not a judgment on the person's high school achievements. This is just advice based on the way the world works. And if the applicant's parents had to sacrifice to send their son to STA, all the more reason for him NOT to include it on his resume. The ones whose parents didn't sacrifice, the ones who started out with all the advantages, they know enough not to put their friggin high school on their resume. Son of struggling parents will be at even more of a disadvantage if he does.

Guess you didn't read the thread if you can never imagine when this would happen or be acceptable to any employer. Multiple people in law/business said that it is not unreasonable (and can be helpful) for younger applicants to list a school, whether for networking purposes or as a shorthand for showing local roots.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yeah seems kind of tacky to me post-college. IMO you should have enough for a one-page resume once you graduate.

I will say I did graduate from a local private in this area and I do belong to a LinkedIn group that advertises opportunities for recent graduates. I wouldn't judge someone for being part of a LinkedIn group.

+1

[Anonymous]

I screen resumes and am a member of our hiring committee. In the back of my mind I have thought that forging relationships with grads from local independent schools may one day be useful when exploring those options for my kids. Not saying that I put them in the to be interviewed pile solely because of this, but there is absolutely a self-serving part to my assessment. Just being honest.

[Anonymous]

This is just ghastly......that a book review would mention that cursed HS........

http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20150817_Penn_professor_works_local_detail_into_a_novel_of_World_War_II.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is just ghastly......that a book review would mention that cursed HS........

http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20150817_Penn_professor_works_local_detail_into_a_novel_of_World_War_II.html

.

Major style points for use of "ghastly." Very well played.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Putting a prep school on a resume is a cry for help. I went to a well known New England boarding school and to be honest the first time I'd heard of anyone putting a prep school on a resume or a LinkedIn page was when I arrived in DC as a forty year old. I have colleagues from work who told me that in Baltimore where you prepped is more prominent in your career than where you went to college. That is crazy. St Albans is a good school, but getting into mentioning it as a professional in a professional environment is a little creepy, and is a lot insecure. A gentleman doesn't need to let everyone know where he went to prep school if not asked.

LinkedIn specifically asks for high school when you create your profile. A lot of people might list it because they ask for it, but that doesn't mean it is on a paper resume.

+1

[Anonymous]

I did the hiring partner gig at a national law firm for several years. For the first cut of interviews, I always looked for top quality academic accomplishments (not necessarily the best school, but always a high level of achievement) and, almost as important, a meaningful tie to the area. If the tie to the area included a connection to a well-respected institution, then all the better. The goal was to find talent and a reason to commit to the community for a long term. Hiring a young lawyer who is only going to be around for 2-3 years is a bad investment. Having an STA pedigree does mean something in this town. Could it be polarizing to some? Absolutely. Still, if I was a younger (under 30) STA/NCS/Sidwell grad, then I would list the school on my resume when applying for work in the DMV. The badge may not help in some places, but I expect it will open more doors than it will close. For those that are prone to judge/reject applicants based upon inclusion of that information, I suspect you are harboring some insecurities that are negatively impacting your job function. Many of the kids that are turned out by STA/NCS/Sidwell are very accomplished and comfortable as high achievers in the DC scene. Why would you exclude them from the hiring process based upon a presumption that inclusion of their high school information makes them a hiring risk? Makes no sense to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I did the hiring partner gig at a national law firm for several years. For the first cut of interviews, I always looked for top quality academic accomplishments (not necessarily the best school, but always a high level of achievement) and, almost as important, a meaningful tie to the area. If the tie to the area included a connection to a well-respected institution, then all the better. The goal was to find talent and a reason to commit to the community for a long term. Hiring a young lawyer who is only going to be around for 2-3 years is a bad investment. Having an STA pedigree does mean something in this town. Could it be polarizing to some? Absolutely. Still, if I was a younger (under 30) STA/NCS/Sidwell grad, then I would list the school on my resume when applying for work in the DMV. The badge may not help in some places, but I expect it will open more doors than it will close. For those that are prone to judge/reject applicants based upon inclusion of that information, I suspect you are harboring some insecurities that are negatively impacting your job function. Many of the kids that are turned out by STA/NCS/Sidwell are very accomplished and comfortable as high achievers in the DC scene. Why would you exclude them from the hiring process based upon a presumption that inclusion of their high school information makes them a hiring risk? Makes no sense to me.

Do you check if the kid indeed graduated from these HS? If yes, how? Calling the schools?

Just want to know.....

Because unless you check, not sure the info is worth a dime.