Use of BSc, BA, etc

calnen · 3 Jul 2007 at 09:18

I've never written my Bsc before, but then I only finished my degree a couple of weeks ago

Mr Calnen, Bsc. (Hons) Dunelm, IoP

Not as good as some

I need to go do a masters so my name gets longer

M0KUJ1N · 3 Jul 2007 at 09:46

calnen said:
I've never written my Bsc before, but then I only finished my degree a couple of weeks ago

Mr Calnen, Bsc. (Hons) Dunelm, IoP

Not as good as some I need to go do a masters so my name gets longer

Noticing the "IoP" at the end, is that for student membership of the Institute of Physics? You're the 2nd person to use it and I was under the impression that only Assoc. Members upwards were eligible to put letters after their name, at least that would be the impression from http://www.iop.org/Membership/How_to_Join/index.html

(Im an AMInstP btw

)

[TW]Fox · 3 Jul 2007 at 10:13

NathanE said:
A few letters after someones name tells you all that?

It does - yes. It DOES look pretentious and it gives the wrong impression when used in the wrong context.

And no, I'm not jealous, becuase provided I dont spend all my time down the Union next year I'll have one as well.

meghatronic · 3 Jul 2007 at 10:42

[TW]Fox said:
It does - yes. It DOES look pretentious and it gives the wrong impression when used in the wrong context.

And no, I'm not jealous, becuase provided I dont spend all my time down the Union next year I'll have one as well.

I thought you were being an ass but I agree with your first point... when used in the wrong context it can be pretenious.

"Oh you've met my friend Bob haven't you Dave?"

"Hi, Bob, BA (hons)" *shakes hand*.

As for your second comment, some degress are hard / people find them hard. Student != alcoholics.

Arcade Fire · 3 Jul 2007 at 10:50

Spending time in the union bar != alcoholic.

[TW]Fox · 3 Jul 2007 at 10:57

Arcade Fire said:
Spending time in the union bar != alcoholic.

Got it in one

Arcade Fire · 3 Jul 2007 at 11:10

I'm getting uncomfortable with all this winking.

DannyDan · 3 Jul 2007 at 11:19

NathanE · 3 Jul 2007 at 11:32

Arcade Fire said:
Either pretentious, or making up for deficiencies in other areas. And yes, it's easy to make snap judgments based on tiny amounts of information. Never heard of first impressions?

To be honest I never really thought someone could find so much wrong with it. I never gave it a second thought. This thread has certainly made me feel differently about using it although I still feel resistant to removing it.

It's not like every e-mail I write is manually signed by me with the 3 letters. It's just something I typed once about a year ago when I lasted reinstalled Outlook and haven't given it a second thought since.

I certainly don't handshake people when I meet them and append 3 letters to the end of my name - that is just asking for a punch in the face and yes I agree that is majorly pretentious.

Stelly · 3 Jul 2007 at 11:37

Duff-Man said:
It's somewhat shallow and pretentious to use them in any context really. When people see this, they tend to assume that the BSc / BA / whatever is the sum-total of your achievements.

Anywhere it would be neccesary to point out that you have a degree (such as a CV) this will be explicit, without the need for a 'Mr XYZ, BSc'.

regards,
Dr. Duff-Man BA (hons) cantab, MSc, PhD

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOW... I'm Stelly Bsc (hons), Msc, mBCS

Stelly

dirtydog · 3 Jul 2007 at 11:40

HEADRAT said:
Poor use of grammar/spelling on this forum is not a shock TBH and it doesn't bother me one bit.

I've noticed

Degree's still open many doors, many employers will just bin you're CV if you don't have a one.

When have I ever said otherwise? :confused:

Wow this is some great revelation - you mean some employers require candidates to have a degree? :eek:

Honestly, I never knew! Thanks for the insightful post

I'll now wait for Fox to make another Ad hominem attack on me.

NathanE · 3 Jul 2007 at 11:41

the-void said:
You sound very insecure. I don't think that people who don't have degree's are going to mock you because you have yours. I think the people who are likely to mock you for putting your qualifications after your name in general written communication are other people who have professional qualifications, degree's, masters and doctorates.

It just isn't the done thing Nathan, you're supposed to be a professional. It really does make you look either insecure or pretentious. I am surprised no one has had the decency to let you know earlier. However, if you feel that it is for you and you prefer not to listen to good advice, go ahead and use them. Just remember you have been advised not to.

I'm not 'insecure' at all. Some posters on this forum that know or have met me know that for sure.

The three letters sometimes makes good conversation with customers on the phone or on the first site visit, like "oh what uni did you go to?" and it usually goes on from there. I've never received any negative comments - but then most of the people on my Outlook contacts I know in person as well.

Duff-Man · 3 Jul 2007 at 11:42

Stelly said:
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOW... I'm Stelly Bsc (hons), Msc, mBCS

Stelly

I don't actually have a PhD yet, still got another 12 months or so to go. I was just taking the mick really

Joking aside though, I've actually seen people sign emails off with letters relating to courses they're currently doing but haven't yet completed. That really does take insecurity and self-love to a new level!

[TW]Fox · 3 Jul 2007 at 11:44

dirtydog said:
I'll now wait for Fox to make another Ad hominem attack on me.

Such an attack would currently be out of context

[TW]Fox · 3 Jul 2007 at 11:44

NathanE said:
The three letters sometimes makes good conversation with customers on the phone or on the first site visit, like "oh what uni did you go to?" and it usually goes on from there. I've never received any negative comments

Perhaps not to your face..

meghatronic · 3 Jul 2007 at 11:48

Duff-Man said:
Joking aside though, I've actually seen people sign emails off with letters relating to courses they're currently doing but haven't yet completed. That really does take insecurity and self-love to a new level!

No no, I think you're on to something here. Maybe we can put the letters relating courses we're yet to take? That'd be awesome.
Sir Jdickerson CBE OBE Bsc BA MA MSc LLB MBBS....

NathanE · 3 Jul 2007 at 11:49

[TW]Fox said:
Perhaps not to your face..

Well yes I'm starting to realise that now from this thread. I never realised that 'postfix letter hating' was so prevalent.

I might remove it :/

Serj · 3 Jul 2007 at 11:57

NathanE said:
Well yes I'm starting to realise that now from this thread. I never realised that 'postfix letter hating' was so prevalent.

I might remove it :/

People might think you're weak though? If you send an e-mail without it people will be like "wtf" and you will be like "internet guys said so" and they'd be like "oh r1te" and you'd be like "yeh i kno".

IceBus · 3 Jul 2007 at 12:00

dirtydog said:
I'll now wait for Fox to make another Ad hominem attack on me.

That raised a grin from me

Semper vale circum verba

the-void · 3 Jul 2007 at 12:03

NathanE said:
I'm not 'insecure' at all. Some posters on this forum that know or have met me know that for sure.

Thinking that everyone who doesn't have a degree is out to mock you is a little insecure in my opinion. Why would Bill Gates, Alan Sugar and Richard Branson want to mock you?

Now that you are planning to remove them are you now just bowing down to peer pressure?! Whatever happened to the Nathan than was prepared to buck the current social trends.