I have a BS in Electrical Engineering and am currently getting my MBA ... will including this information on my acting resume hurt or help me?

Thanks.

Help you! How many actors can boast that?

Put it in your special skills/abilities section of your resume:

Ie.
Special Skills/Abilities:
Electrical Engineering Degree, MBA, Nunchucks, underwater basket weaving,

I know a guy who acts who is an aerospace engineer.


He puts "actual rocket scientist" as the last of his special skills. He gets a LOT of comments about that during auditions.

I would say it could help. Couldn't hurt by any means...unless its taking up space that could be used for something else.

Great, thanks!

I was told over and over (by the same person, but she was once a very strong presence in my life) to NOT list those type of things on an acting resume because they showed that you were not a serious actor.

However, I recently met with a well-respected agent and he told me that I should DEFINITELY mention it (ie. my BA in writing) because, if for no other reason, it explains why there are gaps or a lack of credits on my resume. If you assume that I have been dedicating myself to acting since I was old enough to do so (ie. 18), then my resume indicates that I am pretty much a failure. However, listing other experience--a degree, certification, expertise, etc--explains that yes, you were once focused on something other than acting.

How many "Serious Actors" DON'T have acting degrees? A lot! One actor that comes to mind right now who is working A LOT now is Ken Jeong who is a Medical Doctor.

Part of acting is experiencing life. And having degrees NOT pertaining to acting brings a different kind of life to the scene.

If casting is looking for someone who can bring authenticity to Engineering, business, computers, or some other skill like Medicine, having that skill listed will definitely help your chances.

I have a friend who was a former FBI agent and just recently jumped into acting. He's not a good actor but he's working playing FBI agents and doing consulting for shows that have FBI like Numbers and various other crime dramas.

Yes, you should definitely mention it. It will give us a sense of you as a person. And it's also very interesting and could catch someone's eye.

Another way of looking at it is - why not? It sure as hell couldn't hurt...

Thank you all so much! somedaysoon called my reluctance to mention my non-acting background; lack of dedication to the craft.

But all the other responses are giving me a whole new perspective... I had no idea Ken Jeong is a doctor!!

Thanks a million guys, this message board is a godsend.

quote:

Originally posted by keepspullingmebackin:
Thank you all so much! somedaysoon called my reluctance to mention my non-acting background; lack of dedication to the craft.

But all the other responses are giving me a whole new perspective... I had no idea Ken Jeong is a doctor!!

Thanks a million guys, this message board is a godsend.

Whoa, whoa, whoa... that's actually not what I said AT ALL, keepspullingmebackin. Read my post again, please.

And for a gorgeous gal like your yourself, having an Engineering degree and an MBA will REALLY set you apart!

Female engineers are usually ugly.

somedaysoon - I apologize, I realize I explained it wrong a few moments after I wrote it... I meant what your mentor at the time was telling you was what my concern was.

Clearly we've both come to a different conclusion recently. Thank you for articulating your previous concerns because it gave my concerns a voice.

I've never understood the whole conflict of interests, not serious about acting critique about stuff like this...

Whenever I tell people where I went to college, get the "Whoa! You must be smart" reaction. No, I didn't go to college for acting, but I am sure it might get that reaction from cds from time to time.

And if it doesn't get that response Somehow i doubt they cared. I really don't think a cd ever said, "I really would like to cast this guy, but i just can't because he has a degree in writing."

I found this thread really interesting as the parents of an actor who will be attending college -- not majoring in acting -- in the next year and a half. When she gets her degree (and we are encouraging her!) it will certainly go on her resume. Right now, she has a 4.25 GPA and THAT is on her resume! She worked hard for that all the while also working on her career. Also will graduate about 1 1/2 years early---

quote:

Originally posted by BZ' mom:
Also will graduate about 1 1/2 years early---

DON'T let her, especially if she gets a 4 year scholarship.

My advice to future college students is to NOT go to college just to a degree. I believe in getting the most value out of college or everything in general. I was one of those people who could have graduated in 2.5 years but didn't because I wanted to experience and learn as much as I could. I left with 3 degrees and was involved in virtually every aspect of campus life. I also audited classes that were not relevant to my majors and ended up enjoying those classes so much that I had to petition to take 25/22 units so I could take the audited classes for credit.

BZ'mom,
Is your DD graduating HS or College 1 1/2 years early? My wife is another brainy one that graduated HS very early and was only 16 when she went off to college. Then went on to various grad schools for more degrees.
I spent 7 years as an undergrad and ended up with multiple degrees when I decided to leave. (Not counting my grad schools, faculity and staff positions)
We are looking foward to college in several more years for youngest (actor) son who wants to major in theatre....
It just seems a shame that higher education is reduced to a footnote on a resume.