From: dave@bradley.bradley.edu (David Vessell)
Subject: Controversial organizations on a resume: a summary
Organization: Bradley University
Date: Thu, 17 Dec 92 00:39:17 GMT



A few weeks ago I posted an article listing some of the organizations that
I had included on a previous resume.  Several of you asked for a summary of
some of the comments/flames that each organization had received, so here's
the general rundown on each.  The moral of the story is: never
underestimate a person's ability to be offended.

1. Association for Computing Machinery

This was the only organization generally judged to be plain vanilla enough
to be safe.  A couple people offered the possible case of an IEEE member
being put off by ACM, but they also granted that it was incredibly
unlikely.

2. National Eagle Scout Association

The NESA, a semi-independent organization spun off from the Boy Scouts of
America, drew fire mostly because of recent controversy surrounding the
BSA's conservative stances on homosexuality and religion.  However, the
majority of people responding paid more attention to the event behind its
main criteria for membership, the BSA's Eagle award, and the positive
things the award suggests.  By the BSA's statistics, less than 1 percent
of scouts attain the rank.

3. Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility

Few people were familiar with CPSR, the Palo Alto-based activist group
concerning itself with issues of computer ethics and privacy.  The primary
concern surrounded the name itself, suggesting that many in the industry
are not quite comfortable with activism in general.  The consensus was that
any sort of political activism was risky to include on a resume.

4. Mensa

To tell you the truth, I saw this coming a mile away.  Anyone who takes a
casual look at rec.org.mensa can see it too.  Mensa, a social organization
whose sole entrance requirement is a 98th percentile or better on a
standardized IQ or aptitude test, has a strongly negative image among the
public as being a private club for elitist smartasses, and that image would
outweigh any positive attributes the organization may have.  A sure resume
wrecker.

(A few words in defense of the organization:  While self-promoting boors
are the most obvious Mensa members, the organization provides one very
important role: social and moral support for a segment of the population
generally regarded as not needing help.  Anyone reviled in high school for
being a brain or egghead will know what I mean.  Follow-ups to
rec.org.mensa or alt.flame.)

5. National Merit Scholar

This item drew similar criticism as Mensa, but similar praise as the NESA,
depending on how one looked at it.  Critics said mention of the award could
be interpreted as egotism.  Others said it was a legitimate award not
easily attained by most students and was an indicator of academic
achievement.  A few noted that since it is, by and large, a high school
award, its usefulness on a resume beyond an entry-level college graduate is
questionable.


Thanks to everyone who replied.  It certainly generated a lot of
interesting and useful discussion.
-- 
 davE.   Making the world safe for intelligent dance music.  dave@bradley.edu.
########## David L. Vessell -- Bradley University Computing Services #########
    "The opposite of love is not hate but indifference." -- Sigmund Freud