Poncey to use letters after my name?

[stugster]

So the time has come! At 11am I'll hopefully be a BEng (Hons)!

Which got me thinking... some people are determined to put these letters after their name at every given opportunity. Others like to just leave it off - it's not really that important, or they just don't want to.

What are the community's thoughts? Is it a bit stuck up, is it a good idea? Is it going to make a person look more professional in their field?

 

[Former Member 1]

Personally, it's something I rail against and I rather cringe when letters come from academic bodies with the full title on them and the postman's looking at them, looking at me, then looking at them... :blushing:

I don't even turn up for the 'batman suit' parades...

It's appropriate in some contexts; a formality that should be used in formal places. But even then... I couldn't tell you what degree any of my teaching colleagues have; even at UWS. The clerical staff there tell me some folk get snippy about their titles; but they're more likely to precipitate giggling in the corner of the office rather than respect...

Even at doctorate level; the only person in the college who uses their title is the Principal at Stow affectionaltely known as "Dr Bob"... :thumbup: (I did, at one time, go out with a woman who used her 'Dr' title; but then she was into fixing broken people...)

There is also the point that there are so many 'micky mouse' organisations offering 'letters' after people's names that they can become meaningless, damaging even... In the video trade we have at least two such organisations. A couple of hundred quid, a sham assessment process and you can become a 'fellow of the institute'..

Saves the several grand, four years and five thousand hours of study! But marks the holder out as a charlatan to all but the most seriously stuffed muppets...

Your degree is a great achievement of which you should be proud... But personally I'd leave it off everything but forms... In any case; there are times when letting people under estimate you is a very good idea...

Congrats BTW Stu; well done ol' son!

 

[GeorgeKing]

I almost never use mine and generally only when asked by a client about my background would I give details about my academic qualifications.

However I would mention my qualifications if it added weight/relevance/value in a given situation.

Well done anyway!

 

[Gouldie0]

Well done Stu , i'm sure the celebratory drinks have already started.

I generally don't use letters after my name, it makes me feel awkward. I don't want to give someone the impression that i may be pompous, i'd rather come across as professional and should they want to know what qualifications / experience i have then i can.

In the right context then yes i would use them but from a day to day business point of view then i tend not to.

Kind Regards

Neil

 

[Mike Lewis]

Stu, I agree with what the others have said.

I think it's good to show your qualification in a relevant context. So, if you were contributing an article to an engineering journal, by all means tell 'em that you're a B Eng. But apart from that, I'd say no. It looks pretentious and snobby.

Mike

 

[Scottish Business Owner]

Well Mr Gilbertson I could think of a few things to put after your name other than BEng

Cant add any more to what the others have said, it's pretentious!

On a more serious note though you've worked hard to get your honours and you deserve a big well done for that. Lunch is on me Friday

 

[Virtuo]

I would personally leave them off Stuart unless there is a specific reason, in saying that it depends entirely on the purpose. Are you using them to qualify your position when selling to companies or home users? Its sometimes a good idea to flash the peacock feathers in front of peers/clients, personally I would leave them off by default.

 

[shredder]

I may be in a minority of one here but i don't see any problem in using letters after your name. There may be some advantages to doing so as a business selling to others: firstly its relevant to your business in that it demonstrates an understanding and competence in a technical subject, very relevant where you are selling web related technical advice/services; and secondly it may serve as a talking point with new or potential clients especially if they have the same qualification which can never be a bad thing.

That said personally I don't use my own qualifications (MRICS and MBA) on my business cards, just a decision i made at the time, but sometimes think it would be useful to do so. Clients always seem interested when they find out. I wonder if this is a particularly Scottish thing i.e. not promoting yourself out of fear of seeming pompous ?