Designations after name on business cards

[cpscdave]

Hi everyone
hoping for some input here.
I'm the process of ordering some business cards and am wondering what makes sense to include as designations after my name.
I am an Engineer In Training based on local rules (Alberta, Canada)
Prior to getting my B.Eng I also have a BSc in Computer science. While my job doesn't explicitly require Comp sci, it will be a benefit.

What should I include after my name and what would be the format?
I was thinking one of:
David Robertson, BSc., B.Eng, EIT
... BSc., B.Eng
... B.Eng, EIT

Thanks for your input :)

 

[Simon Bridge]

The business card is a form of promotional material ... it is advertising.
What you put on it depends on what you want to advertise.

 

[SteamKing]

I guess you could microprint your resume on the back of the card. :)

 

[Simon Bridge]

Some people put a qr code on their cards for just that purpose.

 

[alan2]

Never put degrees on your business card in N. America but do put professional designations.

 

[Simon Bridge]

Very often less is more... I'm reminded of the business card scene in American Psycho.

 

[SteamKing]

Never put degrees on your business card in N. America but do put professional designations.

I agree with this. EIT is a bit pretentious, IMO, but I've seen engineers put PE after their names once they're licensed. Your degrees and other educational achievements belong on your resume. Like Simon says, some people print their resumes in QR code on the back of their business cards.

 

[Simon Bridge]

In NZ people put all their degrees after their names on their cards or nothing at all.
Titles go in front - occasionally the honor will follow. But I've always thought it looks nice just to print your name, with your job title or professional designation underneith.

I've had an academic card that had all my degrees (in a smaller font size) after my name and a commercial one with just "Consultant" under my name. I maintain it's advertising - print the card according to your market research: who will be reading it and what for? How do you want them to respond?

I once put my resume and sample work on a business-card sized CD ... that just had my name and contact on the front.
After all: Rt.Hon Sir Simon Bridge OBE MSc BBM ... somehow that seems a bit much.

 

[SteamKing]

I would so do that if I were King of the Engineers.

 

[cpscdave]

You guys have nailed exactly my confusion.
Its a fine line between selling yourself short vs sounding pretentious :)
I do appreciate the input!

 

[Simon Bridge]

That would be HRH SteamKing ... no more letters needed.

 

[Simon Bridge]

@cpscdave its not a line, its fractal.
many people have business cards for their different markets.

Think what you want someone to use the card for... really you just need your name and contact, and a bit of context like your professional position. Is the card for introductions, reminders, or to tout for business... pick one.

 

[analogdesign]

Never put degrees on your business card in N. America but do put professional designations.

It is very common for Electrical Engineers (at least in the US) to put Ph.D. on their business cards is they have one. I'm never seen anyone put BS or MS, though.

 

[atyy]

That would be HRH SteamKing ... no more letters needed.

Lay people like me usually thinking HM, but I don't know what protocol is for business cards.

 

[Simon Bridge]

You are strictly correct, for the reigning monarch especially.
hrh would be for princes etc.

Steamking could aspire to the iron throne though... which would be HG.

In a monarchy, the king can have whatever letters he wants.