Feeling Shame About Sharing Your Credentials

I have noticed a growing trend on LinkedIn lately where people are taking their credentials out of their bios, and replacing them with catchy phrases or slogans.

And while I love the element of personalization it brings to the table, a conversation I had with one of my connections last week has made me rethink things a little bit.

A colleague of mine mentioned that they removed their MA degree from their LinkedIn bio because they worried that it felt “braggy”. They feared that they came across as arrogant or holier than thou, simply by sharing their expertise.

Well, I’ve had enough of that!

As professionals, we should be proud of the work we’ve done in our chosen fields to get us to where we are. We should be proud of the education we’ve received, the CECs we’ve done, and the time and energy that has contributed to our credentials.

Those titles mean something different to everyone - but to me, they’re a symbol of lifelong learning and dedication to my chosen field. And I am proud to be proud of that.

Tell me in the comments below - what do your credentials mean to you?