# Question regarding alphabet soup in titles:
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-alphabet-soup-in-titles/164901
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [March 28, 2003, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-alphabet-soup-in-titles/164901 "2003-03-28T21:56:31Z")
**Posts on this page:** 2
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Fuji\_Kitakyusho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuji_Kitakyusho)
#### Post date: [March 28, 2003, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-alphabet-soup-in-titles/164901/1 "2003-03-28T21:56:31Z")
I need to get business cards made, and my boss gave me the example card to follow. His card reads: [name], Ph.D., P.Eng. / Director.
Obviously, his qualifications are immediately recognizeable and pretty much universal internationally.
Mine are not quite so simple.
I have a diploma in Mechanical Engineering Technology, with a specialization in mechanical design. Subsequent to that, I attained professional ratings from ASTTBC (explained later) as a Certified Technician, and Applied Science Technologist (C.Tech and A.Sc.T. respectively). The A.Sc.T. rating effectively supercedes C.Tech., so including both is technically redundant, but I have to admit it looks better including both…
ASTTBC is the Applied Science Technicians and Technologists of British Columbia. ASTTBC certification merely proves that I uphold a certain level of standards as set by this provincial organization. There are similar organizations in other provinces, and other countries, but I don’t know the extent to which the professional ratings are standardized.
Since I work for an international company, I’m not sure if I should put this on my card, since the ratings may not be relevant (i.e. not understood by an international client).
I need to choose between:
Name line:
1. [name]
2. [name], Dip. Tech., A.Sc.T.
3. [name], Dip. Tech., C.Tech., A.Sc.T.
Title line:
1. Engineering Technologist
2. Mechanical Engineering Technologist (Design)
3. Something else entirely?..
Just to confuse matters, although my training has primarily been in mechanical design, my current position entails a great deal of electrical / electronics work, and software development. I am wondering if indicating the mechanical specialty is not indicated…
What is the rule of thumb on this sort of thing?
-FK
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### Author:  [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)
#### Post date: [March 28, 2003, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-regarding-alphabet-soup-in-titles/164901/2 "2003-03-28T22:05:24Z")
I think you’re pretty hosed by not having an actual, recognizable degree to put after your name, as the rule of thumb is that if you’ve got 2 lines to tell people what you do, it has to be something they recognize, and it has to be something short.
Am I correct in assuming that anybody who recognizes A.Sc.T. is going to know that it supercedes the C.Tech.? If so, you don’t need the C.Tech.
For your second line, I hate the term technologist. Makes is sound like you do regression therapy on HVAC systems.
I would recommend something like Engineer/Technician, or Mechanical Engineering Designer.