Performing: Risky for Career?

ErinHClark007 started this discussion · 1/17/2014

Though I've only been poling for a few months, I've been aspiring to compete at some point, even if it's only ever small competitions. My concern is with whether it would be a risky thing to do if one has a career elsewhere. I plan on becoming a professor, and I'm afraid that if I were to compete I would be at risk of being fired (should the higher-ups find out what I do in my free time, that is). Just curious if anyone has experience with this, or has heard about this sort of thing happening. Also, any words of encouragement or advice would be much appreciated.

12 replies

polergirl · 1/17/2014
There have been some stories about people being fired when "real world" bosses discovered they were pole dancers/pole instructors. It's really a question of how conservative a world you're about to enter. I have friends in very conservative fields who teach pole dancing, and they are simply very careful about how public the latter becomes. They don't compete, don't have their faces/full names plastered all over pole-related websites so they'd come up in a search, etc.
Krista Bocko · 1/17/2014
If anyone were to google my real name, they'd find me as a certified pole instructor. Not something I thought about when I got it! I'm also surprised comps *require* real names and I wonder why? Definitely prohibiting for someone who doesn't want their real name out there.....
frenchhornprof · 1/17/2014
I'm a professor at a liberal arts college. My colleagues know that I do pole fitness, and they've seen some of my photos. Some are interested and ask me how it's going, and I can tell that others are a little dubious and never say anything. I have not experienced any backlash or threats of losing my job. I go up for tenure next fall, and I'm not expecting any problems because of pole. It might depend on the institution, but I can just say that my experience so far has been positive. I don't feel anywhere near good enough to do a competition, but if I was feeling like I was up to snuff, I would feel comfortable enough about my job to apply.
Isis Kane · 1/17/2014
I feel like it's essential to live from the heart. Where does your heart tell you to go? Is pole dancing your passion, and what makes you happy? Follow your joy, no matter what the immediate "consequences" are. You have to trust that you're making the best decision for yourself, based on what makes you happy in life. I personally told myself I do not want to be in a career where I have to stuff myself into a box for the sake of making a living. I want to have freedom of expression, be able to morph and change, or even surprise people around me. When I started pole dancing, it was a huge diversion from the way I had previously presented myself to the public, but it didn't matter in the end because I've committed my life to art and self-expression. The work I seek out is just a means to make money so I can continue pole dancing and creating art. So, I'm an artist. That is more important than a job. When you continue with your artistry and build yourself, it will become your job. Imagine being able to make a living off from just being YOU. Maybe I have a different story from you, but I can say that money and suitable career opportunities will come to you when you're being your best self, because you will attract them-you just have to trust that.
HilaryKate aka LolaSlaytor · 1/17/2014
I'm a doctor (in my residency training) and we're constantly told about how important it is to maintain professionalism in all areas of our life because technically anyone can report us to the college (licensing authority) and threaten our license. I'm open about pole - I invite colleagues to shows and comps. I show pictures and video. I think a big part is your own attitude about it - not just that you don't think anything is wrong with it (because none of us polers do!) - but I treat it with NORMALCY and I think that helps. The other thing that I would think is that you'd be able to fight anything if your career is threatened by pole. Especially if you work in an area with a union. Pretty sure that it would be an Unfair Labor Practice and totally illegal to fire someone for pole. Just much easier to fight back when you have a union to back you up. That's what I understand (at least in Canada) from what my bf tells me - he was a union organizer and now is in law school.
HilaryKate aka LolaSlaytor · 1/17/2014
I also have the opinion that I wouldn't have any desire to work somewhere surrounded by people who are so closed minded that they can't see pole for what it is (for me, it's different things to different people). I guess I have the luxury of job security in that there will always be a need for anesthesiologists somewhere, and I'm willing to move for work because I love travel.
calipolepixie · 1/17/2014
What might help alleviate this issue is to create a pole name/persona. A lot of folks in the pole community do this. I keep my pole life and personal life separate. I no longer post anything pole related on my personal FB or twitter pages and I only have a few pole friends left on my personal pages. I now have a separate Calipolepixie Facebook, Twitter etc where I post about everything pole related. I am not ashamed of my poling at all, just got tired of the drama from family & friends related to it. Since I've separated my pole & personal lives, things have been drama free (I had family & friend bs related to my poling almost daily when I was posting about pole on my personal FB & twitter). But it's really a personal choice, you have to really think about it & figure out what's the best route for you in the grand scheme of things. It really sucks that pole is still an "issue" in society when it shouldn't be...I mean it's 2014 for cripes sake.
ShonaLancs · 1/18/2014
I agree with someone's post above about following your heart and that you shouldn't be prevented from being honest about who you are just because someone might not like it. As a professor I am sure one of the specifications for the role will be demonstrating good practice with regards to equality and diversity, I would hope the institute would demonstrate the same and not show prejudice to someone who poles. Each to their own but I also would not operate 'two personas' either by having a personal and pole life. I am who I am and if people don't like it they can shove it! For goodness sake, I'm a poler not a murderer! Pole in my opinion should not remain a 'little secret' as this perpetuates the image that its something that should be kept secret and it's not. If you normalise pole to others they are more likely to normalise it too :) Treat others as you wish to be treated!
Krista Bocko · 1/18/2014
I'm quite open about the fact that I pole, but I like to have a separate dancer name and fb profile, in part because all things pole gets quite tiresome to those who don't get it, and I can feel out more about it there. :) There are many whose careers have been or could be jeopardized, and that is the unfortunate reality. I am sure it's shifting, but change is slow....
Krista Bocko · 1/18/2014
*geek out , not feel out
ItsEss · 1/18/2014
I agree. I'm an accountant. So one could say ethics, etc, anything really. Unfortunately people will be closed minded. I've recently come out the pole closet with my family and they were all very supportive even bragging on me. Much to my surprise. You never know how some will perceive it and some will never get it unless they open their minds and actually watch a performance or try it. I recently had an overly zealous friend tag me on my FB page. It made me realize I wanted a separate page just for pole. I talk about it too much and would love to share videos with friends that are interested. I'm going to invite people to befriend me/like my other page. That way if you're interested look and if not please deny. Dont know if that helps. Just wanted to chime in that having a separate page doesn't necesarily mean you're denying yourself :-)
Cara Christina · 1/21/2014
I second what Lola says. I'm a doctor in a very conservative community (Utah!!) and I'm open about my hobby. My partners all know about my pole hobby and some of my patients also. If people ask about it, I'm honest. I talk about the crazy fitness aspect of it but I also tell them that I believe in the sensual side of pole (if anyone asks). I do find that it is important to be judicious about what you post. I'm careful about not posting things that really could be inappropriate (e.g. crotch shots).