Young Modified Professionals
A client came in bright and early this morning who wanted his ears pierced at a large gauge. I asked him the usual question that I start most conversations with as I wash my hands, “So… what are you up to today?” He answered, “Job hunting.” I asked what he was looking to do and he said, anything really.
At this point of the year I imagine that most high school students and recently graduated students are job hunting for those wonderful summer jobs to fund their outings. He said he was already in college, so I asked him what he wanted to do. He wanted to be a dentist. Perfect, he has a lip piercing. We need educated piercing friendly doctors, dentists, physicians, nurses, lawyers, etc.
Approximately 1 year ago I started collecting information to start an organization, YMP or Young Modified Professionals. I surveyed 100+ people online within a month. I started this based on my work with Next Generation Consulting. Now I’m at a point where I think I can actually put some time and effort into it.
I work at The Piercing Lounge in Madison, WI. Working in a college town a majority of the people we pierce and tattoo are in college. We’re also a higher end shop, so we aren’t just piercing or tattooing gutter punks. Nothing against gutter punks, but I’m pointing out that the stigmas of the old days don’t really apply anymore. We’re piercing the Next Generation of Professionals. These will be the people working in offices, working in stores, managing businesses, providing healthcare, fixing computers, and everything else we employ people to do.
In conversation as I’m piercing people I ask, “So, are you going to school?” Sure enough, just about every one of them is in college, graduated college, doing something for our community. Not one person has said to me, “Nope, I just sit around and don’t do anything.”
I started thinking to myself, that’s a whole lot of young professionals entering the workforce with piercings and tattoos, considering in the 40′s females didn’t even have their ears pierced.
I have a wide range of experiences that I come from. I worked at American Family Insurance for a number of years, climbing the ranks from a temp into the Marketing Department. When I got into that position they made me and everyone else that works there take a class on diversity. I was amazed! They have a No Tolerance Policy in place. Not a policy saying, you have to do this or that and you can’t do this or that. But, a policy that says clearly, we don’t tolerate discrimination on any level. Not for race, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or even the way we look. The class everyone had to take addressed issues of sexual harassment, homosexuality, racial discrimination, and even people with piercings or tattoos. It also pointed out how this can affect a persons life, attitude, and personal happiness. There were exercises that really drove the point home, not just boring lectures.
I left American Family to pursue a career in design and body piercing with a main focus on body piercing. I was going to school for Visual Communication and did my internship with Next Generation Consulting, lead by Rebecca Ryan. They did massive research on the next generation. What made them tick, how they interacted, everything. She then spoke to Mayors, CEO’s, other Young Professional organizations and told them how to attract & retain young professionals. They continue to collect and analyze data as a research firm.
Young professional organizations have popped up all over the country and this is my way to help out. I’m working towards education about young professionals, and that they are coming out of college pierced and tattooed. What employers can do to benefit, and what young modified professionals can do to stay ahead. I’m focusing on a niche. Why, because this is what I know and this is how I can help.
Online surveys coming back for more information collecting. Part of my goal is to have stats on young professionals with body modifications from nostril piercings to subdermal implants & scarification. Contact me if you’re interested in helping.
