There has always been a stigma between tattoos and professionals. Anyone with a tattoo, especially at a young age, will tell you that they have gotten the comment, “You’ll never get a job with that.”
However, people are beginning to look past tattoos in hiring as tattoos have become more acceptable throughout society. Even on the Cabrini campus, there are many faculty and staff with tattoos, both hidden and visible.
Dr. Melissa Terlecki, associate professor of psychology, has a few tattoos, each with a story and meaning that it important to her. She said because most are well-hidden, it has not affected her professionalism. Terlecki has never had an issue with getting a job due to her tattoos.
“I can see how it would affect employment, depending where they are placed,” Terlecki said.
One of the main risks of getting a tattoo is later coming to regret it. Around 25 percent of all people with tattoos at some point wish they hadn’t gotten them.
“When I was younger I got one and it wasn’t done well,” Terlecki said. “I had it covered up later in life with something I truly loved.”
Dr. Amy Persichetti, assistant professor of English, used to have two tattoos. She had one removed from her ankle because she began to dislike the artwork after some time, though it never had an influence on her ability to get a job.
Most professionals with tattoos focus on the importance of placement of the tattoo.
“I always tell students, ‘if you’re going to get a tattoo, make sure your bathing suit covers it up,” Persichetti said.
Though Persichetti still has one of her tattoos, she does not recommend students get tattoos.
“Find a different way to differentiate yourself,” Persichetti said.
Admissions counselors Marissa Bowlby and Lauren Savage both said they see nothing wrong with students getting tattoos. Bowlby has three tattoos herself.
“I’m all for students having tattoos,” Bowlby said. “It’s a way of expressing yourself.”
“I think if it means something to them, then they should definitely get it,” Savage said. “I think the taboo on tattoos has kind of decreased.”
Terlecki recommends that students proceed with caution when it comes to getting a tattoo.
“I think if you’re mature enough to make the decision and know that it’s something that you’re going to have for the rest of your life, then it’s okay,” Terlecki said. “I would say hold off, however, and think about it for at least a month before you do it.”
