Titles

[dancerjodi]

Those of you with advanced degrees: do you put the initials after your name?

I'm not used to seeing people list master's degree initials after their names so when I see it it always catches me off guard. Not that its not a big deal or anything, but worthy putting in your .sig at work? It always makes me want to ask them if they are looking for a cookie or something . . .

I can see if its something clinical, or if its someone advertising a service they provide or a seminar they are doing, or something in print - but elsewhere? I mean, I'm proud of my degree and all and of course I have it on my resume but I just don't see a need to sign all of my correspondence with essentially 'PS, I have a Master's Degree'.

I'm wondering what other people think about it (and how much of this is just a factor of my working class upbringing and its related biases that I try and be aware of). :)

Comments

[dionysia.livejournal.com]

My sig at work is Di LASTNAME, PHR. :D

[rojagato.livejournal.com]

If I had a clinical or medicine-related degree, or a doctorate in anything, I'd be more inclined to use the initials on external business correspondence and business cards -- the context of formal business contact.

When I was freelancing (indexing and lit search), I did put the MLS on all of my correspondence with clients, on my stationery, and business cards, because it was relevant to the business relationship.

But for everyday use? It seems pretty silly, and betrays an unprofessional level of insecurity, IMHO.

[jetgrrl01.livejournal.com]

I don't put my masters initials on anything at all. Is this for personal mail or work related? Even if it's work, I guess I feel like if it's not a doctorate or possibly a law degree (if you're in legal), there's no point in waving a flag around it. It's kind of silly, I think.

degrees

[dancer.livejournal.com]

I was talking about work related.

"Even if it's work, I guess I feel like if it's not a doctorate or possibly a law degree (if you're in legal), there's no point in waving a flag around it. It's kind of silly, I think."

That was kind of my take on it too (also aside from RN, MSW - the clinical degrees that aren't at the doctorate levels but are licensed and would be necessary for treating patients). I was just curious on where other people stood.

[dawntreader]

if it's in an automated work sigline, i don't think there's anything wrong with it. especially if that person corresponds with people outside the company. it's just there, taking up space.

they may also have been requested to put it there. at our office, we have to put a bejillion details including area and department, fax, phone, and a whole slew of crap in our siglines. a couple of extra letters wouldn't even be noticed.

i guess i could put BA after mine. it's better than BS. *g*

titles, journals

[dancer.livejournal.com]

"i'm not sure if it's convention or not, but i have noticed on publications that most degrees under PhD do not use their designation after their names. the only exception i've seen, and it's rare, was MBA."

I think it really depends on the field (or journal). I've read plenty of articles on sociological research where MA level people were credited. Of course they were the last name listed, but their initials were there.

"ultimately it's up to you and what you're comfortable doing. i'd say go for it if you're leaning that way."

Heh, you couldn't pay me enough to go into academic research or work on publishing! I'm very much the applied data person. :)

I was asking for people's thoughts on using the degree letters in more casual communication, like at the end of e-mails (rather than in print).

initials

[dancer.livejournal.com]

"i guess i could put BA after mine. it's better than BS."

I remember a consultant at my own company that didn't know their ass from their elbow signed their e-mail with all of their initials. They listed BA twice with some other letters in between (clearly just trying to fill up space). None of those other letters were Masters level - they were a bunch of certs that nobody could recognize and google didn't turn anything up on either. It was a riot!

degrees

[dancer.livejournal.com]

"My sig at work is Di LASTNAME, PHR. "

But I could see that - those letters are kind of what you do. :)

Signing "MA" or something of that like at the end in something like casual work e-mail just seems a bit unnecessary (and vague).

[dionysia.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty sure my dad's work sig is First Last, PhD.

And mom's is First Last, M.Ed.

Even though her M.Ed. has nothing to do with her work for Dad. ;)

Re: initials

[dawntreader]

now that's just downright pathetic!

[msdaisy.livejournal.com]

I never put JD on anything, which is typical for a lawyer.
If I am writing a journal article or putting my name on a presentation and it's useful for people to know I'm a lawyer I write Daisy Zorna, Esq. And my .sig line for my professional email says
Daisy Zorna
Title, which includes the word attorney
Place I work
Address and other contact information

I see it as useful information the reader of my email might want to have. But I never use it for signing letters or anything like that.

[mbaspen.livejournal.com]

I did when I was right out of school, stopped about 6 months later. Realized it seemed "needy".

Another label

[solipsism.livejournal.com]

I think, aside from the medical standpoint, that much of it could be attributed to pride of achievement. I know the Quakers don't believe in titles of any sorts, which I think is pretty cool.. having everyone at each others levels, even if ones education vastly differs from another.

[nepenthedreams]

I think it's wierd, but it might be necessary in certain professional circumstances. i.e. I might put it in a signature when writing e-mails to clients.

[noire.livejournal.com]

I don't use my title (Dr.) or Ph.D. after my name. Lots of people who know me socially don't know I have it. I don't use it at work, either. But then, I'm at MIT and my students call me "Professor" so the issue is moot.

[dragonvpm.livejournal.com]

The only non doctorate level letters I see with any regularity in work related things are P.E. as in Licensed Professional Engineer. I'm not all that certain why most P.E.s seem to do that, but that seem to be pretty standard.

Putting M._. after a name does seem a little bit like someone is trying too hard to impress other people... then again who knows, maybe it does impress some of the people that this person deals with so they just go with what works for them.

[padawan.livejournal.com]

The only time I use my degree initials is on more formal industry-related correspondences, not casual emails. Right after I graduated I almost put it on my business cards, but then thought most people wouldn't know what "M.AS" would mean anyway (Master of Aeronautical Science), so I left it off.

I feel that if I'm writing something that is rather important, especially when communicating a potential safety issue, using the initials adds slightly more weight to the letter than if it came from Joe Shmo. No offense if your name happens to be Joe Shmo.