IE Asking the Experts Dona Pavlin: Personal branding is everything for Social Impact
You are attending (or have attended) an MBA and want to brag about it, you want everyone to hear about your accomplishments, but don’t know how to? If you were thinking about adding the suffix “MBA” after your name on business cards; you might want to think again. Here are the three biggest reasons why:
- Business Administration does not require a licence: It is common practice to add a degree after your name when the services you provide can only be provided by someone with specific training and credentials. A medical doctor (M.D.) can perform medical procedures, whereas it would be reckless for me to perform an appendectomy. There is a very clear distinction and risk involved in hiring someone not certified as a doctor to perform a medical procedure. As a general rule if what you do requires a license, it is a good idea to add the suffix.
- It is not common practice. Your MBA belongs on the CV, not your business card, and people know this, whether they are individuals or an HR department. Therefore people will be tempted to jump to conclusions and assume you are not too confident if you feel like you need an MBA title on your business card.
- You do not impress the right people: Getting your MBA at a top school is an achievement, the MBA itself is not. Therefore mention IE Business School, promote your personal brand and your achievements, and leave “MBA” off your business card.
More sources on this topic:
- Examiner: Should I add MBA after my name?
- Forbes: Ten most Dangerous things Business Schools teach MBAs
- The Wall Street Journal: Why You Should Leave ‘M.B.A.’ Off Your Card
About the author
MIM (Master in International Management) student with interpersonal and analytical skills and broad international experience currently contributing to the blog. Entered college at fifteen at the University of West Georgia and presented at first national conference in the US at only sixteen. Worked in research projects and presentations completed both individually and in teams, in the US and abroad. Graduated in the spring of 2013 with a B.S. in Economics and a B.A. in Psychology, Summa Cum Laude.
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