What type of information is appropriate to include in a professional reference list?

Including former supervisors, colleagues, or professors who can vouch for your qualifications is an appropriate choice for a professional reference list because these individuals can provide credible insights into your skills, work ethic, and professional demeanor. They have firsthand experience working with you and can discuss your performance in a work-related context, which is crucial for potential employers who are looking for trustworthy endorsements of your abilities.

Having references who understand your professional journey, contributions, and how you interact in a work environment adds significant value to your application. They can speak specifically about your qualifications and what you brought to their teams or classrooms, which enhances the credibility of your reference list.

On the other hand, including personal friends and family members may lead to biased recommendations since they may lack professional context. Relying solely on acquaintances from social events does not provide a substantive endorsement of your work capabilities, and listing individuals who do not know your work ethic would not be beneficial for your career advancement. Thus, references should be chosen based on their ability to provide constructive, relevant, and professional feedback about your qualifications.