Dear Straight Talk: I’m 17 and looking for a job. The trouble is I immediately get judged for my body jewelry (I have a small Marilyn Monroe stud). They say if I want to work there, I won’t be able to wear it. I think it’s shallow to judge me for my piercing instead of looking at my skills and reliability. The jewelry is who I am, and I feel that I shouldn’t have to alter myself to fit someone’s approval. How have other teens handled this? I know a lot of teens have more piercings than I do.—Judged unfairly
Dear Judged: Here is your answer:
From Rose, 18: For 10 months I had a Monroe and had the toughest time finding work. I was even fired from a restaurant because I wouldn’t take it out. I went jobless for a while but I never took it out for a job because it was part of who I was. Be who you are and don’t surrender. You will find a job; it just takes a lot of looking.
From Brittney, 17: You can’t let it get to you. If you like how you look and you don’t want to compromise, then, don’t. I, too, have body jewelry and believe me, there are places that will hire you as you are. You just have to look a little harder.
——-
