I’ve noticed that many college students have a fixation on employability and hiding their “unemployable” parts. And that makes sense. In our society, a traditional pathway is to go from high school to college to work. In each of these phases, we’re expected to make decisions carefully and meticulously in order to fulfill the predetermined track. We’re instructed not to make the wrong decisions that could ruin our future career.
But I’ve found that this well-intentioned mindset has become restrictive for me. The question in the title is something I’ve asked many professionals at Berkeley career panels. I feel as though sometimes, I choose to hold back because I’m worried an action I take will hurt my chances of being employed. And I’m not talking about morally gray or less-than-legal activities. I mean things like dying my hair, piercing my ears, or writing about my political views online. From friends, I’ve heard worries about employability regarding cultural background, mental health, belonging to certain communities, and the like. It’s discussed so casually too, as if we have all become accustomed to the idea that we’re meant to shrink ourselves down for a corporate lifestyle. It’s natural to hide who we are.
I’m not naive; I do understand that some actions we take can reduce job opportunities. For example, if you have very liberal views but live in a conservative area, it may not be safe to share your views publicly. Some people choose not to be out because they worry companies will discriminate against them. I’ve seen celebrities and influencers talk online about how their appearance or religious views have led to a loss in business connections. And I’ve also seen written in some job policies that you cannot have piercings or wear certain attire. I have my own personal views on each of these norms, and each have their own reasons for being established.
Some people feel that it’s worth it to work a job even if it doesn’t align with their values. (This is especially true at big companies.) If you want to work at such a company, then it’s understandable why you might be more worried about hiding parts of yourself. If finances are a concern, you might want to maximize your employability. There are many practical reasons outside of work as well – family, culture, digital safety. I’m not saying you have to make every one of your beliefs public or share everything about your private life. But I do think that if you’re the type of person who’s like me, who feels frustrated by these societal restrictions, you might want to weigh the value of being yourself.
I believe your future should not interfere with your self-expression. Or at least I want to believe we live in a world like that. I think the culture of conformity is created by capitalist elites to keep us from expressing our individuality, because conforming means we aren’t standing out. We aren’t standing up for basic human rights because that’s “too political.” It means we aren’t resisting the societal expectations of beauty and normativity. We’re taught that we need to fit into a mold of how to act, dress, and self-express in order to be accepted by mainstream society and participate in the economy. Then we’re taught we need to work at the biggest companies possible to make as much money as possible. Even if I’d make less, I’d find it more fulfilling to work at a company that accepts my beliefs and identities. I want to work for a company that actively uplifts marginalized groups.
If I write more openly about mental health and other communities I’m in, it might cost me job opportunities. It might affect my relationship with my relatives. But I think that one day, if I allow myself to do that, I’ll feel like I’m doing something that actually matters. And I’ll create more safe spaces for people like me.