<p>I got hired to be an RA in a freshmen dorm at my university, and I'm really excited! However, I am covered in tattoos, have several piercings in each ear, one in an eyebrow, two in my lip, and a mohawk. I didn't really think much of it (I probably should have), and my friend brought up today that it might look unprofessional, especially on move-in day when I'm meeting all the new residents and their parents.</p>
<p>Obviously I can't lose the tats, but should I take out the piercings and get a more conservative haircut? I'm a very warm and sociable individual, and have never had trouble interacting with parents in my other on-campus jobs, but I don't want to intimidate my residents to the point where they feel uncomfortable coming to me to ask for help with something, and I don't want their parents to question the university either.</p>
<p>I'm reluctant to sacrifice something that's been a part of my identity for a while, but my first priority is the well-being of those in my care. So if you moved in and saw a guy like that as your RA, how would you react? How do you think your parents would react? Any and all advice is appreciated!</p>
<p>I could care less if you had a lot of tattoos and piercings. If you are warm and welcoming as you state you are, that is all that should matter. =)</p>
<p>In terms of parents, just be welcoming and friendly (as you are) and they should see beyond the piercings, haircut, and tattoos.</p>
<p>Don’t change your look. Just be yourself (sound cheesy, sorry! hehe).</p>
<p>I personally wouldn’t care. There might be an initial shock, because I’m not used to seeing people with multiple piercings and/or drastically different hairstyles. But if you’re a nice person, I wouldn’t mind at all.</p>
<p>I think parents might be a bit weirded out, but as long as you’re polite, which I’m sure you are, then reasonable parents would relax.</p>
<p>I might be concerned if I was a freshman at your dorm. I would suggest you just lose the piercings and mohawk, at least until they get to know you. First impressions are important.</p>
<p>Speaking as a parent, be yourself. Finding out who a person really is beyond the external is a wonderful part of the educational experience, and you seem very willing to let others know you and be helpful. Personally I would hope for just such an RA for my freshman.</p>
<p>To be honest, I would be a little freaked out, and my parents would be too. I would lose the mohawk and (at least some of) the piercings for the first couple of weeks while the residents are still getting to know you. After that, I don’t think anyone will care, as long as you’re as warm and sociable as you say you are.</p>
<p>As a parent, I would go with my gut instinct and remove the piercings and get a more clean cut haircut. First impressions can certainly affect the way people will view you. It is just the way human nature is. Think about it this way, How many people do you see in professional jobs not looking professional?</p>
<p>I would feel better, actually. I feel like there are a lot of phony RAs who make all conversations feel like recordings for Big Brother only because they talk like tour guides year round. If you are someone who doesn’t chose to conform to the stereotyped RA image, then you are probably a more normal person to interact with.</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure my parents would be uncomfortable. I find that RAs really aren’t around that much here and don’t play a large role in the dorm life of students, so I can’t say that I care at all about what my RA does or looks like. I personally wouldn’t care if anyone I knew had piercings or tattoos though and I’ve had friends with mohawks</p>
<p>I have to agree with momma-three. First impressions are important. Once everyone has gotten to know you, you can certainly add the piercings back and re-do the hair. I realize it doesn’t change who you are, but a more conventional look could make nervous freshmen as well as their nervous parents more comfortable. If you were in a dorm other than freshmen, I don’t think it would matter as much.</p>
<p>Did those doing the hiring have anything concerning to say about your style? If not I wouldn’t worry about it. They obviously could see past the outer individual and could see you for what you could bring to the college experience for incoming freshman.</p>
<p>Go for it! You were hired by the school who obviously is OK with you! In my opinion college is about open minded acceptance and diversity! Your appearance will help students who may have problems who may not feel comfortable going to someone who is too clean cut. I am a parent who would like my kid to come first, not me.</p>
<p>My parents are totally against piercings/tattoos/haircuts or colors not normally found on very conservative people, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they pulled me out of the dorm if my RA were like that. Speaking as myself, I’d have absolutely no issue so long as you seem like a nice person. I never see my RA except in a class we have together, so I don’t even notice them after the first day.</p>
<p>I’m a parent, and I wouldn’t have cared if my sons’ RAs had had piercings, tats and a mohawk. From what I’ve seen, RAs are carefully trained and selected. I know plenty of nice, responsible people with tats, piercings and mohawks.</p>
<p>College also should be a mind-opening experience, and having an RA with the appearance that you describe may open some students’ minds.</p>
<p>I got two friends with piercings and I like them just fine. People who judge by first impressions are probably pretty shallow anyway. Do whatever you want.</p>
<p>I think you should leave the piercings in and keep the hair. Your college knew your style when they hired you and it might have even landed you the job. If some parents don’t like, that’s their problem. As long as you do your job well, you will be fine.</p>