People with doctorates who don't work in academia

[DoctorDee]

Do you use your title? I finished my PhD last year but so far haven't called myself Dr at all- obviously I wouldn't use it in conversation but even where there's a drop down menu I tend to pick Ms out of habit rather than Dr.

Just wondered what other people did? I'd like to use it a bit more. Not sure whether to put it in my work email signature- it is related to my work but I don't need a doctorate to do my job, iyswim.

I suppose my AIBU is AIBU to use my academic title when I don't work in an academic role?

I work in academia and only use it for work, not with the bank etc.

Same. When I get post addressed to Dr. I know it's either from the union or my mother 😃

You worked hard for that, yes you should use it.

It can look a bit pretentious in certain settings, but more often than not using it will have positive/neutral effects on how people/organisations treat you rather than negative ones.

It's your title that you are entitled to use, use it as you see fit.

DH and I are both scientists, we use ours professionally. Well, used - he's retired now and my lot hardly ever use titles and my team nearly all have doctorates anyway.
I use mine occasionally outside of work - I've found encounters with the likes of doctors, lawyers and banks go a bit better when I do.

For official purposes. Not for work (although it has been used when useful by those who employ me…usually when they want a shorthand for ‘she’s clever and hardworking’). Also used when people patronise me…the car saleswomen who couldn’t believe I was buying myself a car (rather than DH paying for it comes to mind). And when I’m at DH’s school as I’m damned if we’re going to be ‘Dr & Mrs’ rather than ‘Dr & Dr’!

You’ve earned the degree of PhD and the title Doctor. It’s applicable whatever you do.

I’m a Professor. I tend only to use that as a title in specific academic situations (generally when I know I’ll be the only woman there!). At other times, and on things like my credit card etc, I use my title Dr.

For me, that’s the title I’ve earned. So that’s the one I use.

The title of “Professor “ is one conferred on me by my specific job and I’d be unlikely to use it outside of my work.

In my industry (energy) people do use it in their email signature etc. the same way if they were a chartered engineer for example. I think this is because we have many specialists in their fields working here.

BTW it’s not pretentious to use the title!

No one bats an eyelid when medical doctors use the title “Dr” even though for most medicos, it’s only a courtesy title.

It’s far more pretentious for a medico to use the title Dr (unless they have a PhD) than for someone who’s actually earned the PhD degree.

I used to but the novelty wore off many years ago. It would be relevant in my job but I rarely use it. Honestly people need to ask themselves why they would use it outside of a relevant professional arena?

Nope... I cannot be bothered explaining to people the what and whys. If people are going to treat me differently because of a title they deserve to make themselves known as an impolite idiot.

Yup. I'm a clinical psychologist and I use the title Dr professionally on work emails and reports etc. Why wouldn't I? A significant amount of hard work went into gaining my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology.

No, I find it pretentious and it's no one's business what level of education I've achieved.

Completely agree.

Yes professionally but that’s all.

DP has it on his passport but doesn't use it otherwise as works in a hospital (in a fairly low level admin role) so it could get confusing!

I use it. It's relevant for my role, and it avoids the whole Mrs / Ms / not sure what my marital status has to do it with it issue.

I don't feel like either a Mrs or a Ms, so if a title is asked for, I give Dr.

I haven't for the last 11 years because I wasn't working in an academic role and it felt pretentious even though I saw colleagues do it and didn't think of them as being pretentious. My issue probably. But I did feel like I was hiding something I was proud of. I am in a new job now and here it seems unremarkable to be a non-academic with a PhD and so I do use it more now bevause it doesn't feel like anything other than a factual representation. And I'm still proud of it :-)

Yes but only at work and with official bodies

for those saying it is on your passport, mine has no title and I don’t remember there being the option to add a title?

Congratulations on your PhD, OP. I've no idea what the current etiquette is but it always used to be considered somewhat gauche to use Dr (PhD) outside of academic & R&D job roles. These days none of the (medical) Drs I know now use Dr socially (avoiding being asked to advise on tennis elbow at a party, etc!) The novelty immediately post qualification soon wore off.

It appears under the official observations along with various other stuff.

PhDs are fucking hard you use that title with pride!

Apparently the correct etiquette when both married spouses have a doctorate is “The Doctors X” which I think sounds excellent

The Doctors Smith
The Doctors Smith-Jones
The Doctors Smith and Jones

I use mine in official situations and when I need to indicate I have a brain 🙂. Also used by others for the same reason - I am often introduced as Dr handmade by others who want to convey that I should be taken seriously. It usually works well! I am also in a Dr & Dr household so useful for cold callers who ask to speak to Dr handmade - if they cannot specify which one they don't get through 🤣

I only use it professionally but I do work in academia (really want this to change tho, as the pay is so shit 😂). I m just a Mrs otherwise (bank, utilities, travel).