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Q. A couple of years ago, I began a master's degree program in communication at a state university. I completed two courses, one in media research and one in media principles and history. I went to school while still keeping my full-time job at a local newspaper.

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After one semester, I opted to drop out of graduate school, both for financial reasons and to focus more on my career. I believe the move has paid off, as I was soon moved to a prominent beat and given the opportunity to do more enterprise work.

I'm planning to search for jobs soon, and my question is how to include my graduate courses on my resume. Does it look good that I have additional education, or reflect poorly on me because I dropped out? I believe I made the right decision and could easily justify it in an interview, but I'm worried some editors would look at it as quitting. Should I mention the situation in my cover letter?

Thanks,

Made the Right Move

A. It looks good.

The extra classes are worthy of your cover letter, but don't put them on your resume. Lots of people take additional classes without reaching the full degree. Extra education shows initiative.

You have nothing to explain, so don't unless someone asks you. Then keep the answer short to get on to more important issues.

Wedding bells: On Jan. 2, Ask the Recruiter featured a question from a reporter who asked about two-career couples.

We have news to report. The reporter recently wrote, "I popped the question on her birthday weekend and got some time off to do it. What they don't tell you is that you train your ear to hear one or two answers to that question: "yes" and "no." When she gets creative and say things like "of course," it completely strips your mental faculties of the ability to process the information, and you end up gawking at a woman who you're going to be married to and wondering if what she said was what you were hoping she would say.

"So she said yes and I'm glad.

"Thanks for your help. It made taking this step a lot easier."

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Coming Friday: She tried -- by e-mail and by phone -- to see the editor of this paper. She is ready to give up, but really wants to see about working there.

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