Natural/Transitioners:What's ur PROFESSION? What challenges does it present 4 ur HHJ?

[Determined22]

Re: Natural/Transitioners:What's ur PROFESSION? What challenges does it present 4 ur

I work in engineering for a defense contractor & my worksite is very old white male dominated. I was a bit apprehensive when I started transitioning about how my natural hair would be received, but I was pleasantly surprised. I got tons of compliments from my coworkers and since I've BC'ed I've noticed several other women on site that have done the same.

 

[Supervixen]

Re: Natural/Transitioners:What's ur PROFESSION? What challenges does it present 4 ur

I work in banking, specifically sales and trading--hardly any black people, mostly men, mostly whites and asians. I was very nervous originally about my natural hair and how they'd receive it. Once I BC'd and got enough nerve to wear it in a WNG to work, it was well-received by most. The exception is my teammate who is the only other black woman/person in our trading room. I wrote a thread about it about a month ago; I really do not like her.

 

[Neek-a-Nator]

Re: Natural/Transitioners:What's ur PROFESSION? What challenges does it present 4 ur

I'm a RN and we don't have any hair issues in my workplace. People are very tolerant and are able to freely express themselves. Ppl will tell you they like yor hair and KIM, they may ask questions if curious but thats about it.

 

[Diva_Esq]

Re: Natural/Transitioners:What's ur PROFESSION? What challenges does it present 4 ur

I work in banking, specifically sales and trading--hardly any black people, mostly men, mostly whites and asians. I was very nervous originally about my natural hair and how they'd receive it. Once I BC'd and got enough nerve to wear it in a WNG to work, it was well-received by most. The exception is my teammate who is the only other black woman/person in our trading room. I wrote a thread about it about a month ago; I really do not like her.

Really sad that it was the black woman. erplexed

 

[Creatividual]

Re: Natural/Transitioners:What's ur PROFESSION? What challenges does it present 4 ur

I've always worked in fashion and fashion related arenas so showing your individuality was never an issue. I'm kinda switching professions and do make up freelance now so I've always been in creative fields where it wasn't an issue luckily. Like BMP said too, I also live in Nyc and understand that things like this can be more progressive and open minded than other towns and cities may be b/c I dated a man for while who had locs and he worked in the financial industry with no problems.

 

[Miss AJ]

Re: Natural/Transitioners:What's ur PROFESSION? What challenges does it present 4 ur

Active duty Air Force. I've been studying the regs and the only thing that is an absolute no-no is dreads (and you obviously can't be walkin around with a BAA in uniform). I've seen a woman here wear a pony puff and the last time I saw her she had 2 strand twists. Other than that I've just seen TWAs, braids, kinky twists, and buns. I've read military horror stories regarding napps on other boards but I have yet to see any of that happen. People don't even make a big deal about natural hair like I expected once I cut my hair.

 

[1QTPie]

Re: Natural/Transitioners:What's ur PROFESSION? What challenges does it present 4 ur

I work in a corporate environment, however I rarely deal with the outside public. Although I've been here only 2.5 years, I have been working for lobbyist/lobbying offices for over 11 years. Ironically, all of the people I work with are lawyers. I wear my hair however I want, same with my nail polish and makeup. No one cares as long as the work is done.

BUT, I live and work in the DC area, I think people are used to black women's varying hair types.

 

[1QTPie]

Re: Natural/Transitioners:What's ur PROFESSION? What challenges does it present 4 ur

I'm not natural, but I do wear a lot of textured styles (twists, twistouts, etc). I work for an advertising agency. I think because the agency is small and it is a creative field, things are more casual (the art directors/web designers walk in wearing jeans). Everytime I change my style the girls (everyone I work with is white) are amazed . "Oh I love your hair like that! OMG it's so versatile!"

I agree with BMP, as long as your performance is on point, I think your hairstyles will be less of an issue. But then again, it does depend on the field and the company in particular.

Off topic, you look just like that darn Barbie, every time I see her I just want you to go away with your cute self.

 

[africanviolet92]

Re: Natural/Transitioners:What's ur PROFESSION? What challenges does it present 4 ur

I'm a clinical psychologist and I work for the Department of Defense. I primarily work on military installations and they can be uber conservative about appearance (except for the zillion and one tattoos on every soldier). Overall, conformity is key for military personnel so as a civilian contractor, I follow protocol by not pushing the envelope. I couldn't brief a commanding general with an Erica Badu 'fro. It just wouldn't work. Although I think a range of textures and styles are acceptable, if it's too outrageous and stirs up attention, it could be problematic. You can be stylish without causing a ruckus.

If I were in private practice, I'd have more liberty but overall, I wouldn't want a style that was too distracting to the people that I work with. I am currently wearing my hair in two-strand twists that I rod a few times a week.

 

[poookie]

Re: Natural/Transitioners:What's ur PROFESSION? What challenges does it present 4 ur

i'll be going into the IT industry, & it's generally laid back. at my last internship, i was the odd-woman out because i dressed business causal while everyone else was in jeans & tennis shoes.

i'll be entering the field full-time in a few months, but don't plan on doing my BC until at least December of 2010.

as i transition, i plan to wear my hair straight, hide it in senegalese twists or under a wig once battling the 2 textures becomes too difficult, & doing natural buns & updos once my natural hair becomes long enough to do so.

 

[Miss AJ]

Re: Natural/Transitioners:What's ur PROFESSION? What challenges does it present 4 ur

OT: IT is pretty laid back. The contractors that work in our squadron usually wear a collared shirt and khakis or jeans and a nice tee. One guy's beard is kinda outrageous to me though. He looks like a homeless person lol im used to seeing guys without facial hair now but still...

 

[OhmyKimB]

Re: Natural/Transitioners:What's ur PROFESSION? What challenges does it present 4 ur

I'm really interested in the concept of the "corporate look" and the battles sistas fight everyday b/c of arbitrary factors that have nothing to do with our work product/ intelligence/ etc.

I am an Attorney. My profession is considered among the most conservative of all. My biggest challenges are:

People acting like they don't know who I am if I wear my hair different. erplexed

The perception of anything other than straight or bunned being "unprofessional" or "too ethnic."

Since my profession (at least here in Nebraska) lacks diversity, people want to ask a million questions or touch my hair.

Having to mainly do my more creative styles & big hair on the weekends when I am away from work so people aren't staring at me all day.

People's ignorant perceptions of what an attorney should look like.

I know that this was even a huge issue at Hampton University, an HBCU (so clearly even our own people still have issues about naturality), that within their business college, they didn't allow natural styles, dreads, and braids b/c they were "not professional."


I'd love to hear about your challenges. TIA! HHG!

I'm transitioning and I'm an accounting intern and plan on entering the accounting field. This is why my mother does not want me to go natural because she feels it will give people a reason to be a afraid of me. I didn't go to a HBCU so I won't speak on that, but really I just wear doobies. I didn't plan to really wear my curly or whatnot, I just don't want to relax and I wouldn't be wear it out short either