What are your thoughts about putting credentials next to your name on Linkedin?

[Jonathan Whatley]

I've seen reasonably argued grassroots, user-generated social media campaigns asserting that people should be proud to put their degrees or designations out there prominently online.

There was a particular emphasis – but not exclusive – on the benefit to representation of doing so when the individual with the degree or designation is a member of a group historically underrepresented in higher education and professions, including women, people of color, and disabled people.

Having just completed my doctorate, some well-meaning friends and colleagues insist I update my LinkedIn profile.  I am an executive at a non-profit and a consultant with another organization.

Question 1: Should individuals include their highest educational degree (e.g., PhD, Master's) next to their name on LinkedIn?

Question 2: How do you view the inclusion of professional certifications (e.g., CPA, PMP) next to names on LinkedIn?

The answer that feels right for you will probably be a good answer!

Including multiple degrees at different levels is typically overkill unless the additional degrees add something and it's common to see people use them together (e.g., MD MPH).

Beyond a certain number of letters it's typically overkill.

Practices vary depending on your profession. For example, listing many postnominals is common among nurses (but not physicians, in the US) and financial advisors (but not attorneys).

Practices might vary depending on your local community and networks.

Question 3: How should the name be styled? Title (e.g., Dr.) or post-nominal degree (e.g., MD, PhD, DBA, DPA, EdD)?

I have seen a lot of debate about this online. There is also a rather robust debate about the etymology of the term Doctor, who used it first, and who should use it today. Some people seem to think that only medical doctors should use the title. Others think that anyone with a doctorate should use the title.

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I should add that I realize that in the medical profession, where it is common for professionals other than medical doctors to hold doctorates, this is becoming an increasingly heated topic. https://www.insidehighered.com/news/gove...led-doctor

Although I do not work in the medical field, I'm certainly interested in this debate.

On social media, adding "Dr." before your name if you aren't a medical doctor seems like it will rarely be a good idea.

You can impart more information and avoid ambiguity using approximately as many letters by just using the postnominal.

"Dr." before the name could feel okay if the context feels like a conversational or academic use of "Dr." and if the context makes apparent it's not medical. If Mary holds a PhD, "Dr. Mary's College Writing Tips" is a more effective title for her YouTube channel than either "Mary's College Writing Tips" or "Mary, PhD's College Writing Tips."