PhD Discussion Forum

Hi,

I've recently finished my PhD. I plan to print some business cards for attending conferences/seminars before successfully landing a full-time job (which I understand that it may take up to several years!). I have three burning questions and I'd love to know what other early career researchers think:

(1) I don't really have a job title, since I don't have a full-time job. I may have a three-month temporary part-time teaching contract but I won't put that institution as my ''affiliation''. I find the title ''independent scholar'' odd because it simply means I am jobless. If I do not put any job title on my card, it automatically means that I am looking for jobs/on part-time contracts. Therefore, titles such as ''independent scholar'' or ''independent researcher'' would be redundant. Or would you still put "independent scholar" as your title on your card?

(2) Will you include information about your previous education? In my case, my PhD is an interdisciplinary programme (media studies) and my MA is in political science. I am wondering if it would be a nice idea to list out my MA degree as well, so as to indicate that I have a background in social sciences instead of humanities, since both have quite distinctive training and approaches to media studies I suppose. So my card might look like this:

Name
PhD (Media Studies, A University)
MA (Political Science, B University)
Email:
Website:

(3) The last question is about card design. I am looking at websites that provide templates. I am deciding between fancy designs (https://www.moo.com/uk/design-templates/business-cards/pack/monogram.html) or conventional plain designs (https://www.moo.com/uk/design-templates/business-cards/pack/profile-power.html).

Colourful or fancy design may be eye-catching/impressive, but as a female researcher I want to be taken seriously. My male colleagues designed fancy cards but I hesitate if I want to do the same.

Many thanks x

I think you should. I always find it quite impressive when someone hands me one, and I remember them and normally put the card on my noticeboard in the hallway for a good while. If for any reason I wanted to contact that person, it would be very easy to do so - as I'd have their full name and contact details (rather than some scrap of paper with several addys scribbled on that I can't remember who they belong to).

(excuse the grammar of that last part - I am really tired and I know that sounds wrong but can't think of the right way to say it).

You forgot the part where you all needed family counselling afterwards. I still think he/she should get some though and try it out for themselves. It might lead to some key opportunities - you never know. Plus it can make you feel professional, so a nice confidence booster. I'm thinking of having some made myself now after all this convincing stuff I've said!

I see it as going that extra step and impressive - a bit like the person who dresses really nicely at a conference. I think they stand out in a good way.

Sorry I've just realised that I have ignored your actual questions! So...all personal opinions here (and coming from someone who themselves hasn't got a business card and probably won't ever...)
1) I think you could put the field/expertise here - e.g., mental health researcher ... but personally I would just put name and PhD in X under it.
2) I definitely wouldn't include info about WHERE I got my degrees - that seems unnecessary and would clutter the card
3) Surely this is just down to personal preference, but I prefer the Moo/Momogram design - it's funky yet very professional

This is quite a subjective topic. You think that dressing nicely at a conference reeks of desperation, others do not (myself included - and I am also older and have good bit of experience). For some, dressing up may be part of their "presence" and work very well for them. At the same time, I agree that following the lead of others is a good way to go. It sounds as though having a card may be the done thing in LeslieM's circles, and so perhaps she is seeking to do what is the norm / has paid off / worked well for others in her field.

Well... I don't think I said anything about turning up smart when everyone else is dressed casual... that would just be awkward. I just said about dressing really nicely. And yep, I do think it can be good thing. In fact - I know it can! Impressions and appearances count at times.

I don't know, but there is a difference between dressing nicely in general (what I said) and turning up somewhere dressed smartly when everyone else is casual (what you said). The latter is probably going to be painful, whereas the former is common sense when one wants to make a good impression. My point is: putting an effort in can go a long way. For instance, when a presenter at a conference is well dressed (smartly or nicely or whatever you want to call it), in my view, it forms part of their overall presentation. And, in my own subjective view, a business card is along similar lines - can be quite impressive.

Lol! Well, I disagree (as you can probably already tell)! Some of it probably depends on the area as well. Just to clarify - I don't think a person's appearance has a bearing on reputation as a scholar. But appearances can count, especially for first impressions. Crikey, is that such an extreme idea?