Business cards?

[varekai1018]

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Hi all,

Do any current - or soon-to-be - students use business cards? I didn't do it during the MPH, but I feel like they might have come in handy at conferences and similar events. Now that I'm starting a DrPH program, I wonder if I should create cards to make networking easier?

Thoughts on this? Is it a bit much to do as a student? Or good to do because of the convenience factor? (And if anyone does have experience with this, what do you put in the "position" line? Student? MPH/PhD/DrPH candidate?)

Many thanks! 🙂

 

[Regression]

They make for great convenience at conferences. Luckily for me, my employers have drafted and printed my business cards at no expense.

Seeing how cheap and efficient they are, I ended up drafting another 500 for my photography business and have designed some for friends.

 

[tkim]

Hi all,

Do any current - or soon-to-be - students use business cards? I didn't do it during the MPH, but I feel like they might have come in handy at conferences and similar events. Now that I'm starting a DrPH program, I wonder if I should create cards to make networking easier?

Thoughts on this? Is it a bit much to do as a student? Or good to do because of the convenience factor? (And if anyone does have experience with this, what do you put in the "position" line? Student? MPH/PhD/DrPH candidate?)

Many thanks! 🙂

I would consider it rather pretentious to put your anticipated degree on your business card - even if it says - 'PharmD candidate', etc.

If you absolutely wanted to have business cards, just use your name and contact info. After all, that's what you want it for - right?

 

[beebee0]

I would consider it rather pretentious to put your anticipated degree on your business card - even if it says - 'PharmD candidate', etc.

If you absolutely wanted to have business cards, just use your name and contact info. After all, that's what you want it for - right?

I don't think so. If the information is true, why is it also pretentious?

 

[Stories]

Hi all,

Do any current - or soon-to-be - students use business cards? I didn't do it during the MPH, but I feel like they might have come in handy at conferences and similar events. Now that I'm starting a DrPH program, I wonder if I should create cards to make networking easier?

Thoughts on this? Is it a bit much to do as a student? Or good to do because of the convenience factor? (And if anyone does have experience with this, what do you put in the "position" line? Student? MPH/PhD/DrPH candidate?)

Many thanks! 🙂

It's tricky. At one point, you want to network. But at the same time, as a student, there's not a lot you can contribute quite yet. Do whatever makes you comfortable. I, for one, will not get a business card.

As for what you put on the title, until you qualify, you can't put "candidate". You're merely a "doctoral student". Once you qualify, you can then become a "doctoral candidate".

 

[tkim]

I don't think so. If the information is true, why is it also pretentious?

Because having a title after your name should be reserved for what you've already accomplished, not what you've set out to do.

It's just my opinion, of course. But if someone handed me a card with some sort of student or candidate status on it, I'd chuck it.

 

[SW7]

Guys, check out http://www.moo.com/ and especially their "MiniCard" option. I use them as my "personal" cards rather than "business" cards. I have just my name, email and phone #. They're half the size of the usual business card. I love them!! And as an extra, on the other side of your info, you can have photos from your Facebook profile (or colors, patterns, whatever you want).

 

[ebadevil]

I agree with tkim... if someone who's expecting an MPH degree hands me their card I would probably literally laugh in their face... then I'd probably ask them if they want to be an astronaut also... business cards when you haven't accomplished anything yet shows me a sign of insecurity... I mean do you really have no other value to offer the other person outside of your unattained degree yet? I figure that if you really have some value to offer to whoever you'd be handing your card to, they'll take their time to write down your info... (makes me think of that movie Be Cool: if you're important people will wait)... handing out cards right and left is just funny... would probably work well for picking up insecure girls at the bar though lol!

 

[varekai1018]

Thanks, all! This feedback is really helpful. Still not sure what I'll decide, but it's good to see various perspectives on the topic. I have heard of some universities that have cards for grad assistants, so maybe I'll hold out to see if mine is among them.

By way of an explanation - I do know that I'll be a student until after the second year (given all goes well with comps 🙂 ); I was just asking others who might already use business/personal cards what, if anything, they write in that space...just to get an idea. The name/phone #/email seems to be a good way to go, though.

Lastly, I don't think it's fair to say that MPH students haven't accomplished anything. Many (dare I say most?) have worked before starting graduate programs in public health, and/or have skills in different areas (writing, IT, stats, etc.). I worked with a lot of MPH students after I had finished the degree/was working in the field, and I was grateful to have their input on a variety of projects. Whether or not they had business cards, I can't say... but if they did, I certainly would not have mocked them for it. Just my opinion.

 

[Regression]

The alternative would be to register a domain name and host, and upload your CV to a personal website in case you're in a position to network and don't have any paper copies on you. This may or may not be seen positively since I've never done it, but it sure beats not having any sort of backup plan.

 

[guriel]

I got a bundle of business cards from students during the U Michigan interviews. Most had a variation of 'MPH Candidate 2010' 'MHSA Candidate Class of 2010' and included regular contact info (mailing, email, phone). Also, all have a similar UM design so perhaps it was a stock business card made through the university.

 

[Regression]

It makes sense for the University to make cards for their students:

Relatively cheap costs (especially in bulk of 5000+) => Run prints => Students distribute => More networking => Job offers => Job placements => Better placement data reports to help attract more top students