Tattoos: Professionalism?

Runemist34 started this discussion · 5/11/2011

Hey guys! So, this isn't exactly pole-related, though I suppose if I get some tattoos, I won't be able to pole for a bit while they heal :P But, I wanted your opinions, as we have a lot of diversity here on the site, and I thought it would be good to ask! My intention is to become a Psychologist. More specifically, a counselor, though I'm not sure what my specialty would be (possibly a sex therapist?!). I will be meeting clients, as well as others in my field, and all that kind of thing. I suppose that's the problem I'm having. I have to appear "professional." However, I want some tattoos! And, yes, I suppose I could get some on my back, or my legs, or whatever, and they would be realitively discreet. I suppose I could get some on my hips, and no one would ever see them...but for me, that's not the point! I want to get two tattoos, specifically, on the insides of my forearms. Not too close to the wrist, but from elbow to about halfway down. On the left, I'd like a cactus flower, and maybe some fun designs, though I know the tribal thing has been done to death (though I like it anyways!). On the right, I'd like something that signifies my main interests, such as pole, and writing. I might even get a word or something. I want them there, in particular, because I feel that I express myself best through writing, and I love doing things with my hands; that's how I connect, that's what I focus on, so I feel that the tattoos would be best on my arms, near my hands, in order to flow out with their energy. I cannot put tattoos on my upper arms, due to the keratosis pilaris, which reacts very badly to tattoing. So, I ask you: Do you think I could still be taken seriously if I have those tattoos, as a professional counsellor? Does it matter? Do you think I could simply cover them up every day (such as with a light sweater or jacket) and show them off in my daily life? My husband says that I should screw the norm, and just get 'em. Tattoos are one of the biggest things of my life. I'm terrified of needles, I have no idea what the pain will be like, and I know, it's permanent. But, I feel right about it...and I want to make very sure I won't screw myself in my career choice by getting them! Thanks!

25 replies

Mechie · 5/11/2011
I LOVE tattoos...BUT working in a professional environment it's best to hide it/them. I work in a very strict professional/uptight environment and I'm the only female engineer, in order to look professional and be taken seriously, I don't even wear skirt or dresses. All my suits are pants and I don't wear any open toe shoes to work either. Don't get me wrong, I'm not old fashion, but the people I'm work with are (VERY!!). And if you want to climb the ladder of success, you have to sacrifice some of your freedom of expression. I often have to work with clients/lawyers/other business people, if you have a tattoo (I have one!!), it better be a place where you can hide it. Sorry if I burst your bubble....but that's just my 2 cents.
Lola Wantz · 5/11/2011
Wow, I'm finishing my BA in Psychology this year...I thought about sex therapy too! LOL Okay, with the tattoos it may be a matter of which specialty you choose! But I agree with your husband, you could go against the norm which probably can make you seem more personable & "real" with patients putting them at ease. Psychology is a study of the mind, expression, and discovery of oneself. It's great to show that you, "the professional Psychologist" is capable of expressing yourself too! If anything, you could always cover them...offices are usually cold anyway. =)
Runemist34 · 5/11/2011
Mechie - You make a perfectly fine point, so I have another question for you: If I was not to put it somewhere in which it would be easily seen, then how would you suggest I show it off? To me, a tattoo IS something for me, but it's like...getting a painting of the Mona Lisa that cost you thousands of dollars, then putting it in a closet...you should be showing it off! So, I'm curious if you have any other ideas ;) Lola - Good to know there's another psychologist around! Sometimes I feel...well, crazy :P I figured I wouldn't have much trouble with keeping a light jacket or something on, since I'm cold most of the time (especially in air conditioning!) but, well, I dunno! If other people know I have them, and they need to hire me, then their opinion would already have been tainted. I dunno...
Mechie · 5/11/2011
@Runemist34 - you can get a tattoo on your back or shoulder, just somewhere you can hide it with work clothes. Most professional office environment don't allow sleeveless, as long as it is a place you can hide comfortably with your work clothes it should be doable. My tattoo is at my lower hip where you can't see it unless I'm wearing a bikinis. I'm actually thinking about getting a tattoo at my lower back..lol Again, I must emphasis, if you want to climb the ladder of success, you have to sacrifice some of your freedom of expression. Unless you work in Google, 99.99% of the professional places have a lot of unspoken rule...tattoo is one of them. No one will tell you "We won't hire you or give you a promotion because of your tattoo"...but believe me, it's in their mind. But if you REALLY want to get a tattoo somewhere obvious on your body, there are makeup kit out there that are use specifically to cover up tattoo. (I tried them, they are a pain in the butt to put on and remove...think VERY heavy concealer)
Mechie · 5/11/2011
Oh- I forgot to add emphasis on WORK CLOTHES.... On non-work days I do keep my hair down...wear mini skirts...halter tops...3-4" heels...and ofcourse pole dancing :)
Lola Wantz · 5/11/2011
Mechie makes some great points. If you're going to work in a more "corporate" environment, I would advise against it too. That's why it really depends on what type of work environment you value and your specialty. There are many places to put an emphasis on creating a professional atmosphere as well as those that want to create an inviting relaxed atmosphere.
lilblondie · 5/11/2011
I know plenty of professional people with large tattoos, including a female friend with a huge chestpiece all the way up to her neck who works in engineering ... My boyfriend has a sleeve in Arabic script and works in consulting. Both of them wear conservative clothing every day that covers their tattoos (the girl wears blouses no lower than her neck, my boyfriend wears long sleeves and suits). The way I see it, neither one of them gets to discuss their love of music, their sex life, their hobbies in art, whatever ... at work. And they don't need to show their tattoos either. It doesn't mean they are diminishing themselves. When they get off work both of them change their clothes and get on with their personal lives. :)
Phoenix · 5/11/2011
I work in a Dr's office and I have 3 tattoos one on mylower back, another on my rib cage and one on my foot. I have patients always comment about the one on my foot always in a positive way but others do give me "the look" like eww. But everyone is intitled to there own opinion and i personaly feel that it was my desision to get them and it expresses who i am and if any one has a problem with that, that is there issue. :)
Runemist34 · 5/11/2011
Mechie - You make a good point ;) I had thought about makeup, but concealer always bothers the heck out of me! I never, ever wear it. Like, ever. Even on stage doing burlesque! Part of my fear with hips, or lower back, is the having babies thing. I like the idea of a hip tattoo, but I don't want it to get all crazy when I have babies! I would imagine that, for me, work clothes are pretty close to my normal attire! Apparently I normally dress relatively business-casual. You know, trousers and junk like that. I can rarely wear button-up shirts, though, since I've got giant boobs! I think, perhaps, the tattoo is going to be something I think about for a while...I thought of something that makes a lot of sense for me, and it goes on the back :P
minicoopergrl · 5/12/2011
I work in a business casual office. I have one tat on my left shoulder blade. It only comes out if im wearing a sheer overlay with my shirt or im wearing a light colored shirt and it pokes through. A co-worker on the other hand has a huge piece of baby blocks of his sons name on rib cage/side (that was his first tat!!), hes got a AK on his forearm. My boss has a portriat of one of her dogs on her forearm. Both of them have them clearly visible, but we dont interact with customers that much to begin with. Another good friend of mine works for the Dept of Defense, she has alot of tats! The only one that gets noticed is the hibicus flower on the top of her foot. I vote for just wearing a light jacket/sweater when working with your clients. Working in that kind of enviroment really stressed the professionalism alot. I also think with the kind of tats your wanting arent that big of deal. Its not like your getting 'Thug Life' across your stomach and wearing a midriff top to the office! My tat is a side of who I am. I mean its only my zodiac sign but its a piece of me. Im also thinking of getting a hip one as well but I wanted to wait until I got to a weight I wanted to be at and maintain it. I also want my grandmothers rosary but im not sure where.
Mechie · 5/12/2011
Yeah...it sucks that the world we live in are still preeeetty conservative....especially working on corporate office. 😕 Some people are more "acceptable" then others, some people have "zero-tolerance", and some people are just plain MEAN. Example: One of the lady in my yoga class from work asked me if I work out on the side other then yoga (we work in different department but our work place offers yoga classes during lunch hours several times a week) I told her I also do pole fitness on the side...she immediately made some MEAN comments like "Oh, you plan on working in name-of-a-nearby-strip-club after work??" Then other women starts to chime in "Yeah, you can earn some dollar bills!!" (I swear, those women are just jealous that I have a much better body and much better flexibility...I kick their butts in yoga!!) 💪 However, when I told one of my other coworker about my pole-fitness, he was like "Oh, I've seen those. Pole aerobics, I saw some men that can lift their whole body at a 90 degree angle! Those are great workout where you can really build your strength." 🥂(The only reason why I told this coworker is because he said he has a large mirror that he wants to get ride off and I said I WANT IT....then he asked what for?) Back to Runemist34 - Like what other people mentioned, it really depends on what you want to do in your career. But in a corporate office, the higher you go, the more conservative the people are going to be. Don't do something that you will regret or inconvenient for yourself later. I know I know...people shouldn't judge you by what you look like or how you dress...and that we all have the freedom to express ourselves....blah blah blah. But in reality, people DO judge...people WILL judge you in their mind and they won't even say a thing. Don't let your personal life affect your work career and vice versa. It's hard to achieve a balance, but it's doable. 😉
Mechie · 5/12/2011
Ok - the font was WAAY too small...I'm re-posting!! ---------------------- Yeah...it sucks that the world we live in are still preeeetty conservative....especially working on corporate office. 😕 Some people are more "acceptable" then others, some people have "zero-tolerance", and some people are just plain MEAN. Example: One of the lady in my yoga class from work asked me if I work out on the side other then yoga (we work in different department but our work place offers yoga classes during lunch hours several times a week) I told her I also do pole fitness on the side...she immediately made some MEAN comments like "Oh, you plan on working in name-of-a-nearby-strip-club after work??" Then other women starts to chime in "Yeah, you can earn some dollar bills!!" (I swear, those women are just jealous that I have a much better body and much better flexibility...I kick their butts in yoga!!) 💪 However, when I told one of my other coworker about my pole-fitness, he was like "Oh, I've seen those. Pole aerobics, I saw some men that can lift their whole body at a 90 degree angle! Those are great workout where you can really build your strength." 🥂(The only reason why I told this coworker is because he said he has a large mirror that he wants to get ride off and I said I WANT IT....then he asked what for?) Back to Runemist34 - Like what other people mentioned, it really depends on what you want to do in your career. But in a corporate office, the higher you go, the more conservative the people are going to be. Don't do something that you will regret or inconvenient for yourself later. I know I know...people shouldn't judge you by what you look like or how you dress...and that we all have the freedom to express ourselves....blah blah blah. But in reality, people DO judge...people WILL judge you in their mind and they won't even say a thing. Don't let your personal life affect your work career and vice versa. It's hard to achieve a balance, but it's doable. 😉
JBStarryEyedGirl · 5/12/2011
Hey RuneMist, I have a unique perspective.. I have a tattoo on my right inner wrist, it is about 2 inches wide, 1 inch tall. It is a latin phrase that has a special meaning to me. I work as a massage therapist, as a pole instructor, and I help out with front desk duties. I work with the public all day long basically, and very few people even NOTICE my tattoo! I too, wanted something visible, but discrete. The lettering is easily covered with a watch or bracelet band if I feel the need, and generally when I shake hands my wrist is pointing downward and no one sees it. Heck, one of my boss's asked me when I got it (I've worked at this spa for a year!), and I was like.. uh 5 years ago? LOL. They hadn't ever noticed. I also have a tiny tattoo of a heart on my left foot on my toe, and no one ever comments on it except when I get a pedicure, or am wearing super cute heels to show off said pedicure =) So, there is a way to place tattoos visibly and yet subtle. Now, I am considering doing a bigger forearm piece.. but I think I will wait a while. I plan to open my own business someday, and once I'm the boss, it's ON! :) Corporate america does kinda suck, but I think as long as your tattoo isn't anything innappropriate (ie: naked people, violence, blood or gore, etc! lol) most employers are a lot more lax now. And of course, if worse comes to worse, you will have to invest in many cardigans for work! Here's my best suggestion to you... Have what you want tatttooed drawn up, and then have a temporary copy (they use tracing paper with dye) put on you wherever you are thinking of getting tattooed. Wear it for a few days and see how you feel about it. Remember, bad tattoos are EXPENSIVE to laser off! lol. good luck!
Runemist34 · 5/12/2011
Aaah thank you ladies! See? I told you...lots of opinions! JBStarryEyedGirl...I dunno if you can call it "corporate america," since I'm in canada and all...but really, it's all business, and it's all stupid! Also, a tattoo on your TOE? That must have HURT! I really appreciate the feedback, guys! I was talking to a friend of mine on MSN about it, and she asked "Well, why not get it on your back?" and we tossed it back and forth a bit, so I think it's going to take a little bit more thought, just to see what kinds of options I want, what kinds of things I can do with it. Sometimes when there's so many options, I get a little muddled ;) However, I think that if I do decide to go for the tattoos I want, right now, I'll go for the light jacket or long sleeved option. As I said, I'm cold all the time anyways! And, I suppose a nice suit-jacket looks professional anyways, doesn't it?
Mechie · 5/12/2011
I loooove my long sleeves..as a matter of fact....it's 77 degree outside...and I'm wearing a jacket in my office...LOL Good luck with your tattoo!! In the meantime...I think I'll try a Henna on my lower back to see if I want something more permanent there 😉
Cocoa0 · 5/12/2011
If Victoria is anything like Vancouver tats should not really be a big issue. You have to keep in mind that we are alot more laid back in Canada than in some other parts of the world. I say get them where you want them and if you absolutely HAVE to cover them up you'll find a way.
JennyBacardi · 5/12/2011
I loveeee tattoos!! but it sucks when your whole tattoo has to revolve around work with that said, some places are totally tolerable while some places(even some mcdonalds -_-) dont even accept visible tattoos. I can only imagine in a more profesional place how it must be, but like some other girls said it all depends on the boss. the best thing to do would be to put it somewhere that you can show(if thats what you want) but can easily be covered up if need be.
Adriibabii · 5/13/2011
I love tattoos as well, i have 3, one by the bridge of my left thumb, one one my inner right wrist and one on my right shoulder. My shoulder one is almost always hidden except in the summer but my wrist and thumb ones are clearly visible, my last job said no visible tattoos, but they still hired me. I have a training for a new job today and im hoping they don't have a problem with my tats,they arent anything bad one is a matching tat with my mom that sez love and has like sparkles and a heart and the other is a cherry blossom flower that 90% of people that comment on it usually love it and think its really cute. As for you, I don't think as a therapist or psychologist someone can tell you that tattoos arent allowed, so i would probably cover them up for the initial interview then after you get the job and youre boss or whomever gets to know you better then you can shed the cardis and long sleeve shirts. Thats what my mother did and she works in a corporate setting. If my mom were to go in for an interview now theyd probably judge her by her tats but since she's been there so long and everyone already knows her no one even cares about them she still got her promotion not because of what she looked or dresses like but because of her work ethic and productivity. oh and in my opinion i agree with Lola, once i had to see this therapist as a teenager but she was this old conservative jewish lady, im talking easy 70's 80's like retirement status old! and she thought i was insane because i got my tongue pierced ! It was the worst therapist ever she couldnt relate anything to me except tell me i had psychological issues because i randomly got a tongue piercing! smh I think if wouldve had a more young open minded therapist that shared the same interest in tattoos and piercings like i do iwouldve felt 1000x's better going. so u never know those tat might actually come in handy with yur clients especially making them feel more open to talk to you =)
vickiezoo · 5/13/2011
vickiezoo · 5/13/2011
This is a great thread!! I recently got my Bettie Page pin up on my calf, she takes up half of the calf. I work at a zoo and they are funny about visible tattoos, biut loads of keepers have them on show anyway!! Anway this is only an issue if I wear shorts, which I like to in the hot weather, so I put a support bandage on to cover Bettie. Management asked me whatb was wrong with my leg, I was honest with them, they said it didn't look good wearing a bandage and more or less said I have to wear trousers now to keep it covered!!! Sucks, thought I would share.....
Mechie · 5/13/2011
@ vickiezoo- I thought only corporate are like that...lol I work in a corporate...VERY VERY conservative....not just tattoos but also on visible excessive piercings...
Kandipole · 5/13/2011
Hey everyone! I didnt read all the posts so Im sure this was said. I LOVE tattoos! I think tattoo are becoming the norm. Everyone has tattoos. When I got my first tattoo 12 years ago I was 17 and no one had tattoos. Now its hard to find someone in the age range of 20-35 without at least one. I have 3 - one in my lower back, one on the inside of my left wrist and one that starts on my right shoulder and is currently being worked on to make its way down to my right outter thigh/hip. I think if they mean something to you and they are not offensive, it shouldnt matter where they are. The one on my wrist is visible to everyone and it is a cancer tribute to people I am losing at the same time with cancer. If someone was to judge me based on that tattoo I would absolutely lose it on them. I think you should go for it! Especially if you are thinking about going into any kind of therapy I think the people you would encounter would be the least likely to be judgemental. Good luck and happy tattooing!🙂
vickiezoo · 5/13/2011
The zoo are all about public image and are very strict, piercings too:(
Mechie · 5/13/2011
@ vickiezoo- yeah, I've seen friends who didn't get a job offer because of tattoos and piercings...and the one that get tattoos AFTER the job offer got pulled over for a "talk" about company's image....
byrdgrrl · 5/15/2011
I work for the US Government (National Park Service) and I have a smallish tattoo on the side of my neck that runs up to under my ear and so is visible over my uniform collar. None of my bosses or anyone that I work with has said anything about it (except the occasional compliment :) ). Admittedly my job is mostly field based, but we do have contact with and interact with park visitors and are required to wear uniforms. I think that it really just depends on the "culture" of where you work and on your boss' attitude.