nose piercings

[rlw23]

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Are nose piercings considered acceptable now? I ask this in context of a phd clinical/counseling psych interview. I hadn't even thought two seconds about it, but then my mom asked me if I was going to take it out.

People who have nose piercings, are you taking it out for the interview? =/

 

[AcronymAllergy]

I personally would recommend removing any piercings other than earrings, and even any earrings beyond perhaps one or two. In many contexts, I believe it can still be viewed as unprofessional.

 

[KillerDiller]

From my experience, academic settings tend to be pretty liberal when it comes to small visible piercings, so I don't think you would need to take your stud out for interviews at most places. On the other hand, if it's going to make you feel self-conscious, then by all means, take it out just to be safe.

Be aware that you may end up having to get rid of the piercing down the road when you work in other settings. I lost my nose piercing during my first practicum placement where we were forbidden from wearing anything but small earrings. Unfortunately, there was no way to prevent it from closing up.

 

[voyeurofthemind]

Are nose piercings considered acceptable now? I ask this in context of a phd clinical/counseling psych interview. I hadn't even thought two seconds about it, but then my mom asked me if I was going to take it out.

People who have nose piercings, are you taking it out for the interview? =/

You are interviewing to become a top level professional in your field of study. No offense, but it is time to take the facial piercings out and cover up the visible tattoos. Once you get in to a institution and you want to wear to class by all means, but they need to come out when you are seeing clients. That is my take on it... and I tend to be pretty free spirited and liberal with most things.

 

[yeti2213]

Where I grew up almost every girl over the age of 13 has a nose piercing. I have no opinion if this is some sort of fashion choice.... but if its part of your cultural heritage, I'd say keep it on.

 

[JockNerd]

When I work in my lab, I come in in jeans, a t-shirt, maybe even a tank on a hot day (Florida...), sandals, etc. I have several large tattoos. But, would I have gone to an interview in jeans and a tank and shown off my tats? Of course not.

You're marketing a specific aspect of yourself--your professional side. Take out piercings, cover tattoos.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Yeah, it's just one of those situations where there isn't much, if anything, to be gained from leaving the piercing in, but there's a lot to potentially be lost.

 

[rlw23]

Thanks everyone for your opinions. I think I will probably take it out. (Though the ugly hole left in my nose is almost as "offensive" as the stud.)

But after the interview I will definitely be putting it back in, and will not be actively concerned about covering my tattoos. It is not that I am trying to resist professionalism, rather, I think the things that we hide are the things that could potentially help us connect with some of our future patients better. (Though probably not the elderly/certain groups.) I mean, I personally would appreciate a psychologist with piercings and tats! Especially as an adolescent.

Again, thanks everyone 🙂

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Thanks everyone for your opinions. I think I will probably take it out. (Though the ugly hole left in my nose is almost as "offensive" as the stud.)

But after the interview I will definitely be putting it back in, and will not be actively concerned about covering my tattoos. It is not that I am trying to resist professionalism, rather, I think the things that we hide are the things that could potentially help us connect with some of our future patients better. (Though probably not the elderly/certain groups.) I mean, I personally would appreciate a psychologist with piercings and tats! Especially as an adolescent.

Again, thanks everyone 🙂

Understandable, but keep in mind that there may be settings you'll work in that will require you to remove piercings and cover up tattoos as part of their employee dress code. I know back before grad school, the hospital/ER where I worked required this (along with prohibiting any odd/dramatic hair color choices, such as pink or blue).

 

[docma]

One purpose of the interview is to get a mutual sense of "fit". You can observe, ask, or even reveal that you made a choice to take it out, once you've assessed the culture of the setting. It is the more strategic/conservative choice to remove it, as dress/appearance is always a "hook" for possible projections and you can't predict what interviewers associate with nose piercings. If it matters to you in the ways you describe, then you can bring it up as a question in the interview process if it would be a rule in/rule out for you about being able to have visible tatoos. The culture of clinical settings can vary WIDELY, even within similar types of setting and that is why both you and they want to meet face to face when possible.

 

[Introspect]

..

 

[deleted176373]

Thanks everyone for your opinions. I think I will probably take it out. (Though the ugly hole left in my nose is almost as "offensive" as the stud.)

But after the interview I will definitely be putting it back in, and will not be actively concerned about covering my tattoos. It is not that I am trying to resist professionalism, rather, I think the things that we hide are the things that could potentially help us connect with some of our future patients better. (Though probably not the elderly/certain groups.) I mean, I personally would appreciate a psychologist with piercings and tats! Especially as an adolescent.

Again, thanks everyone 🙂

You're not applying to your patient's, you are applying to a program. Reducing the visible differences you are quite proud of to show off will demonstrate maturity and understanding that not everyone shares your viewpoint. Although, I think that you probably could get away with a small stud that wasn't obnoxious in your nose rather than leaving an "unsightly" hole.

Save the tattoo/body modification display for after you are accepted. The people evaluating your interview are not adolescents and they are not necessarily as open minded as you may hope.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Pragma]

You're not applying to your patient's, you are applying to a program. Reducing the visible differences you are quite proud of to show off will demonstrate maturity and understanding that not everyone shares your viewpoint. Although, I think that you probably could get away with a small stud that wasn't obnoxious in your nose rather than leaving an "unsightly" hole.

Save the tattoo/body modification display for after you are accepted. The people evaluating your interview are not adolescents and they are not necessarily as open minded as you may hope.

Just my 2 cents.

Ditto. You aren't going to score any points by being provacative. Many faculty are old school and I have heard of people being informally "vetoed" for positions because of tattoos and piercings. It isn't right in my opinion, but understand that you will be expected to dress and act in a way that your clients are comfortable with quite deliberately. By showing up to an interview with nose piercings, you might give off the vibe that you expect others to adapt to you, which isn't going to fly in any program.