Networking Business Card Title 1

[bigTomHanks]

I plan on making up some business cards to assist me in job hunting and networking. Should I call myself a "Mechanical Engineer" on the card? I have a BSME but have not taken the FE/PE exams. What is another title that would tell people what I have to offer without breaking any laws or offending anyone? I will be job hunting in Georgia, USA.
Thanks

 

[Ron]

I would not use the term "Mechanical Engineer" on the card unless you are licensed. That is typically a protected term under the Georgia engineering law.

I would suggest that you put your name and BSME after it.

You might get employed in an exempt industry, at which time you can use the Mechanical Engineer term; however, when presenting yourself to the public at large for employment, it could create an issue.

Good luck.

 

[Qshake]

If you are a member of the ASME you can certainly put that on the card after your name.

Also consider a title that gives insight into your experience. For example, if you are experienced in stress analysis then try stress analyst, or if HVAC then Experienced HVAC analyst. Such titles would not infringe on the engineer title.



Regards,
Qshake

Eng-Tips Forums:Real Solutions for Real Problems Really Quick.

 

[TheTick]

The Georgia Title 43 code is not hard to find or download. The phrase "mechanical engineer" appears only once, and not under any list of reserved or prohibited titles.

 

[Ron]

Georgia Title 43, Section 43.15.2-11...

(11) "Professional engineering" means the practice of the art and sciences, known as engineering, by which mechanical properties of matter are made useful to man in structures and machines and shall include any professional service, such as consultation, investigation, evaluation, planning, designing, or responsible supervision of construction or operation, in connection with any public or private utilities, structures, buildings, machines, equipment,
processes, works, or projects, wherein the public welfare or the safeguarding of life, health, or property is concerned or involved, when such professional service requires the application of engineering principles and data and training in the application of mathematical and physical
sciences. A person shall be construed to practice or offer to practice professional engineering, within the meaning of this chapter who by verbal claim, sign, advertisement, letterhead, [highlight]card[/highlight], or in any other way represents or holds himself out as a professional engineer [highlight]or engineer[/highlight] or as able or qualified to perform engineering services or who does perform any of the services set out in this paragraph. Nothing contained in this chapter shall include the work ordinarily performed by persons who operate or maintain machinery or equipment.

The law is relatively clear that to hold yourself out to the public as an "engineer" implies professional engineering and requires licensing.

Qshake's suggestions are good!

 

[Ron]

...and...Chapter 43-15-30,Unlawful Acts...

(f) Any person offering services to the public who uses by name, verbal claim, sign, advertisement, directory listing, or letterhead the words "Engineer," "Engineers," "Professional
Engineering," "Engineering," or "Engineered" shall be guilty of a misdemeanor unless said person has complied with the provisions of this chapter.

Some states offer clearer direction, such as prohibiting the use of specific terms such as "Mechanical Engineer", or "Civil Engineer", but Georgia's law is more general, prohibiting the use of the term "engineer", unless the individual is licensed.

 

[TheTick]

Well... there it is.

 

[bigTomHanks]

Ok. Thanks all.

 

[IRstuff]

You should be able to put down "BSME." Anyone that you might give your card to would know what that means.

TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[Twoballcane]

Hmmm can we have in bold:

Tobolcane
B.S. Mechanical Engineering
Design, Analysis, and Test

I know this is semantic wording, but may skirt the issue. It is the degree you hold.


Tobalcane
"If you avoid failure, you also avoid success."

 

[Ron]

TBC...nice solution!

Ron

 

[Twoballcane]

I actually have "Design, Analysis, and Test" with a neat looking icons of heat transfer, vibration, and structural stuff in the right uper corner of my resume. I try to "brand" my self so that when hiring mangers pick up my resume, they know exactly what I do.

The same can be done with the OP's business card. Try to brand yourself. You are the product that you are trying to sell. There are a lot of great seminars on branding yourself, you should check them out. It helped me progress in my career. I even have a brochure full of pics with bullets of what I do. So when I go to these Networking events I hand these out instead of my business cards.

Brand yourself, look into it…


Tobalcane
"If you avoid failure, you also avoid success."

 

[Twoballcane]

Somthing I googled:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/BUSINESS/10/29/personal.brand.internet/index.html

Tobalcane
"If you avoid failure, you also avoid success."

 

[patprimmer]

BSME after your name should be clear to anyone thinking of hiring you.

Any more could appear to some as misleading or pompous and just might do more harm than good.

Keep it clearly honest.

Keep it simple.

Regards
Pat
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