The Bona Venture

Issue date: 4/18/08 Section: Features

Media Credit: Christina Cardona Thad Furman, a senior English major, displays some of his many tattoos.

Some people compare life to the popular board game Monopoly. If that comparison is accurate, having a visible tattoo would often be like landing on the "Go Directly to Jail" space.

For some careers, tattoos have the ability to turn off potential employers at the very first glance.

Peggy Burke, dean of education and graduate studies, said tattoos can have a devastating effect on job opportunities in the education field.

"Schools are extremely conservative institutions, and most parents consider teachers to be role models for their children," she wrote in an e-mail. "Anything the school administrator views as a distraction in the classroom is very likely a negative factor."

Burke also said education poses unique challenges compared with most other fields.

"Jobs in education are different from other types of positions," she wrote. "Teachers work with minors who are impressionable and often really look up to and want to be like their teachers." 

Michael Kasperski, lecturer of accounting and internship director for the school of business, said tattoos have a similar effect on business careers.

"The rule of thumb is that (tattoos and piercings) do influence hiring, particularly in the business world," he said. "Obviously, the business world portrays a certain sort of demeanor, and I think that's carried through in their hiring practices."

Kasperski said he tries to prepare students for how appearances in the business field work.

"I think there's a number of students who have (tattoos) in the business school… what we and the (job) recruiters basically tell them is that stuff shouldn't be very visible or outward in appearance," he said. "We just tell them to be conservative when it comes to those types of things."

Kasperski also said he ultimately believes students should stay true to who they are.

"I think you have to weigh (being conservative) against being yourself," he said. "You might as well be yourself, and let the chips fall where they may."

Patrick Vecchio, lecturer in journalism and mass communication, was employed at the Olean Times Herald for 20 years, acting as managing editor his last four. As managing editor, Vecchio hired three employees: a photographer, a sportswriter and a newswriter. He said physical appearance did not influence his hiring decisions.

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