Thread: Would getting a tattoo on my forearm hurt my programming career chances?

  1. #1
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Posts
    1

    Would getting a tattoo on my forearm hurt my programming career chances?

    Hi everyone, so I should be getting a tattoo on my forearm, nothing major, it is my whole forearm pretty much but it's actually just a writing on a piece of torn paper; anyway, do you think this could hurt my career chances as a computer programmer?

    I'm still not 100% sure how all of this works, working towards the degree in computer science right now, but it shouldn't affect my career options should it? I'm not in contact with people I believe, except for co-workers of course, I'm not a waiter who sees lots of people everyday and this could mean that their employer might not want him/her to have tattoos, so my line of thought is that it shouldn't but please feel free to correct me.

    Thank you!

  2. #2
    Registered User MutantJohn's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Posts
    2,665
    It just means you'll likely work as a hipster web developer. You should just start learning Haskell now.

  3. #3
    and the hat of int overfl Salem's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2001
    Location
    The edge of the known universe
    Posts
    39,660
    Consider that you won't be a cubicle monkey your whole career (spanning possible 40 years or so).

    If you wind up in sales, or senior management roles, or even anything customer facing in any other industry if programming doesn't work out for you, then you might be at a disadvantage.

    Fashions change.
    If you dance barefoot on the broken glass of undefined behaviour, you've got to expect the occasional cut.
    If at first you don't succeed, try writing your phone number on the exam paper.

  4. #4
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Denmark
    Posts
    233
    Probably a bad move. You could always wear a shirt with long sleeves though, if it became an issue, and it probably will.

  5. #5
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Posts
    4,513
    Having a potentially visible tattoo might be a gamble in landing a job or promotion, even though it'd likely be a small gamble. You have to ask yourself: Is the potential gain worth the possible cost?

  6. #6
    (?<!re)tired Mario F.'s Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Ireland
    Posts
    8,446
    Do what you want and let the job market adapt to you. Not the other way around. If you start your career intimidated and constrained, you'll always feel miserable in your life.
    If a company doesn't want to you because you have a tattoo in the 21st century, more likely you shouldn't want that job either.
    But if you are struggling financially and need to get a foothold on your career, then postpone the tattoo to a later date. When you asserted yourself as a developer with a decent resume, do the tattoo and don't forget to raise your middle finger when its done.
    Originally Posted by brewbuck:
    Reimplementing a large system in another language to get a 25% performance boost is nonsense. It would be cheaper to just get a computer which is 25% faster.

  7. #7
    Its hard... But im here swgh's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    England
    Posts
    1,688
    Depends what the tattoo is of. Well, joking around it could be a nude woman for example that most people get on board with
    Double Helix STL

  8. #8
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Posts
    3,445
    Quote Originally Posted by Mario F. View Post
    do the tattoo and don't forget to raise your middle finger when its done.
    I like to apply this strategy to most things in my life, which do not affect other people. It is your life. Conduct it as you see fit.
    What can this strange device be?
    When I touch it, it gives forth a sound
    It's got wires that vibrate and give music
    What can this thing be that I found?

  9. #9
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Posts
    8
    Quote Originally Posted by Matticus View Post
    Having a potentially visible tattoo might be a gamble in landing a job or promotion, even though it'd likely be a small gamble. You have to ask yourself: Is the potential gain worth the possible cost?
    definitely agree

Popular pages Recent additions subscribe to a feed

Similar Threads

  1. web programming career?!
    By Leeman_s in forum A Brief History of Cprogramming.com
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 01-13-2004, 07:47 AM
  2. For Those Of You That Want A Career In Programming:
    By Krak in forum A Brief History of Cprogramming.com
    Replies: 41
    Last Post: 02-12-2003, 11:11 PM
  3. Programming Career
    By The_Developer in forum A Brief History of Cprogramming.com
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 12-29-2002, 01:29 PM
  4. Programming as a career
    By cabinboy in forum A Brief History of Cprogramming.com
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 07-02-2002, 03:41 PM
  5. Programming as a career
    By Fool in forum A Brief History of Cprogramming.com
    Replies: 17
    Last Post: 09-06-2001, 11:27 AM

Tags for this Thread