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You don't have to read the story if u don't have time, just skip to bottom.
--story--
I was recently recommended for an internship at my school. I was really excited, i filled out the application and resume, the whole deal. Then today was the job interview. My parents kept nagging me over the entire weekend to get my hair cut, and that it would increase my chances of getting the job. I refused every time, but started to waver by the end of the weekend. I felt like i should cut it and started to believe them. But then i took out the paper that i wrote ~4 months ago promising myself that i would not cut it for 2 years. I then decided I would not cut it for the meeting. It turns out that they don't care at all about the hair and that i got the job.
--end story--
So now i have greater confidence that i can make it to my goal. I recommend to people going through the awkward stage to write their goal down, it definitely helps me. Anyone else do this?
Keep it growin,
Matt
ps: sorry for any spelling mistakes in advance, i'm learning a new keyboard layout.
Matt,
I am very greatful for guys with guts like you. We are all in danger of self repression out of what we thinks others will think, and of course our parents do not want us to take risks which will render us homeless. In spite of the fact that our country/culture gives lip service to being the land of the free and the home of the brave, there is a remarkable amount of repression out there and pressure to conformity, but the only way we are going to stop that is to confront it.
I grew up at a time when long hair = effiminate, sissy and queer. Though I am queer, I have never been effiminate, and I have always pushed the envelope.
I remember being depressed very often after going to a barber who I thought was progressive and encouraging length, only to come out with the style he thought was au courrant.
Never again.
Referring back to Matt L's good progress, I assure him that Long hair is never easy, but so is keeping one's teeth clean. But the extra effort is not only worth it, but it is pleasurable.
I keep promising update pictures of my shouldere length hair, but have difficulty posting. I promise before the month is out I will have some, and will talk about how I manage it.
I have walked through many doors and jumpted over many hoops, but no one gives me grief about my hair, and those who dare comment offer praise.
When long hair becomes a requirement for success, please join me in the buzz cut board, though I hope this will never happen.
We are a cultural vanguard, and I hope our hair symbolizes the freedom of self expression, do unto others as... and a leadership role for peace, understanding, negotiation, support for the struggling underdog, and not for violence and war amd the illusary notion that we can make people be like us.
Cal.
The IT Industry is very Longhair friendly - I should know. Go around the board here and you'll find more IT boffs than at Microsoft!
But yeah I set myself a goal when I was growing out and it helped a lot, it started by being "shoulder-blade length" then I bust that barrier and went onto "mid-back" quite by accident. My goals were all about a target length though, not x months/years without a hair cut or anything.
I work in IT myself, and *no one* seems to care about hair. They care that you can get the job done. Now if you wind up working for a bank or something thats "stuffed shirt", etc. then maybe, but overall, no problem.
Good for you man. Writing down the goal is a good strategy. I keep a personal journal of various things I'm interested in pursuing, and reminding myself of giving long hair a good ol' college try is one of them.
Peace,
Ryan
That's good - stick with it. There is discrimination about BUT in the face of someone who is resolute find much of it fades.
You don't have to read the story if u don't have time, just skip to bottom.
I had exactly the same from my parents about a year ago when I applied for an IT internship (sort of, mine was called an industrial placement but it's the same thing). I was at university, away from home, and I'd call my parents about once a week. When the interview approached suddenly my mum started ringing me (she'd always waited for me to ring before) and telling me to get a haircut. She posted a cheque for £30 for it when I refused. My dad normally keeps out of this kind of thing, but he emailed me and said he was really disappointed that I valued my appearance more than a chance of a good job.
Of course, the company didn't give a damn as far as I could tell, they offered me the job. I've just finished the placement, and hardly anyone commented on it -- the (female) secretary said she liked my hair, a couple of older guys (30s) said they wished they hadn't cut theirs after University, that was about it.
Dvorak? And you're doing an IT placement and are called Matt B too!
Matt :-)