Friday, 8 March 2013

What's in a Scientist's Business Card?

I’m coming to a point where I feel like getting a set of business card would be very helpful for me. As most of you know, I’m heading to a conference at the start of May with plenty of networking events and as an upcoming new graduate – I’m hoping to make some great connections.

But as a student and a scientist, what should go on a business card? I have a prior degree (B.Sc Microbiology) I’d like to mention along with my current program and graduation date. I also was considering my LinkedIn profile, email, phone number and location. Is this too much for a business card? I don’t want it to be overwhelming but I also do not want to leave important information out!

The idea of having business cards in science is a little foreign. You generally don't have a situation where business cards would typically be given out or needed unless you are in sales or media. How do you market your scientific qualifications on a tiny square of paper!

If you were someone receiving a student’s card, what would you want to see - A simple card or something with a bit more info so you can remember me? I can see both as options but want to get some options.

Let me know in the comments, I’m looking for some help!

-K

3 comments:

  1. Hey Krista,

    My advice is to keep it simple.

    Contact info, your previous degree, graduation date, email, LinkedIn link. On the back (yes, don't forget the back!!) have 3 or 4 bullet points with your most important (read: employable) skills.

    The majority of the communication about yourself should be done in person..the business card is just a way of jogging the person's memory of the conversation you had in person with them. :)

    Good luck with the networking events and congrats on your upcoming graduation!

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  2. Thanks for this - I definitely took this into account when I designed mine!

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  3. […] months of deliberation and discussion (as noted in this post), I was able to decide on a business card for me! I enlisted the help of my roommate to design and […]

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