Being a Tommie makes me proud. We work hard, and when we graduate we’re told we’re wanted in the “adult world” because we are professional, respectable and knowledgeable. 
But as I walked back from my Christian Marriage class last week, I couldn’t get what my professor said out of my head: “Do it now.” No matter the context she said it in, I felt like it could be applied to one particular area in my life, being a respectable young woman. However, as I reflected on myself, I couldn’t help but notice the girls I passed on my way to my next class: the ones ruining it for the rest of us.
According to a study by the Center for Professional Excellence at York College, about one-third of human resource respondents and 36.5 percent of managers believe new employees have less professionalism than five years ago.
This could be due to appearances, the way we carry ourselves or the “anti-social media skills” we’ve acquired in the last few years.
I’m not sure, but one thing I do know is that girls on campus need to start respecting themselves, and they need to do it now.
A few ways to get on the road to recovery:
1. Ditch the talk about how amazing Thursday at Tiffs is going to be this week. Getting together with your girlfriends, wearing tight black skirts, showing your shoulders and disrespecting yourselves by getting belligerent to trudge your way to the shuttle is not OK. There are exactly 52 Thursdays in the year, and taking a break from drinking so much that it makes you act dumb would not hurt. Not only will this help your grades, but your body will thank you in the morning because you’ll be able to use your brain instead of letting it sit like oatmeal in your head.
2. Put yourself together every day. Walking to class with see-through leggings is not professional. Wear nice pants, a conservative shirt, comb your hair instead of bundling it on top of your head and put yourself together. Not only is it good practice for the “adult world,” but you’ll feel better, people will take you seriously and hopefully you’ll feel more productive. Try it. It just might work.
3. Line up an internship for the summer. “Nanny” doesn’t quite classify as a qualification for the “adult world” on your resume. Be proactive. Visit the Career Development Center, talk to your friends that do internships, sign up for “Take a Tommie to Lunch,” learn how to write a cover letter and apply. Not only will it help you get a leg up on other students who are still nannying in their senior summer, but you might even grow up a little.
I can’t say that women are the only ones not respecting themselves on this campus or that there are a lot of students like this. However, I can say this: If we don’t start respecting ourselves in college, how is anyone supposed to respect us in the real world? Stay in on a Thursday night, put yourself together, get that internship but most importantly… respect yourself. Don’t wait to be a responsible young adult. Do it now.
Hannah Anderson can be reached at ande5385@stthomas.edu.
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Good for you Hannah. You only get respect from others when you respect yourself enough to demand respect. As a career business owner, we only hire those who command respect enough that they will command respect for the business for whom they work. I remember the days when downtown was populated by men wearing suits and women wearing skirts and dress-up was something understood when out in public. Indeed, times have changed, but not for those who want to be respected and respect for others. Despite what the modern concept is, visual appearance has much to do with what others opinion is of you, and if you don’t care about that, any potential employeer won’t care about it either. Your assessment is right on, but unfortunately, many will think you “old fashioned” or “out of step” and not take your advice, to their detriment. You will go far with that attitude and have it all over the others. Good shot.
Pot meet kettle. Kettle meet pot
4) take real classes (i.e. not Christian marriage).
I’ve been the kind of person who dresses up for class since I was in high school. I see where you’re coming from– how you present yourself can dramatically impact your attitude. And I agree that we can (and should!) do a lot to prepare ourselves for the professional world outside of school. However, I’m deeply troubled by several of your underlying assumptions.
The first assumption stems from the fact that you don’t mention guys once. I understand that you’re a woman and you’re writing about what you know, but you’re not doing your argument any favors by limiting it to once group. Can’t guys be unprofessional? What about the guys on campus in pajama pants and messy hair? You seem to be saying that a young woman who does not comport herself “properly” is extremely threatening simply by virtue of her existence. Although you spend the bulk of the article explaining why adhering to these norms would benefit the girls in question, you nevertheless begin with an absurdly judgmental statement: “As I reflected on myself, I couldn’t help but notice the girls I passed on my way to my next class: the ones ruining it for the rest of us.” So a girl who makes the decision to sleep in a few extra minutes and dress down for class is somehow cheapening your degree? Are you a…
better person than the girl at Tiff’s simply because you fulfill society’s requirements for respectability? I would guess that you don’t think so, but it doesn’t change the fact that you’re coming across as incredibly superior. When I was a child, I was a horrible tattletale, and my dad would always ask me, “Jen, who do you need to be worried about?” Sullenly, I would answer, “Myself.” Spend time worrying about your own professionalism. What does it matter to you if your classmate doesn’t brush her hair for class?
And what’s with hating on nannying? Girls who choose to nanny beyond their junior summer are somehow immature? I work in childcare and I deal with this attitude on a regular basis. It’s “lesser work,” after all– not “stimulating” or “important” enough for college educated young women. For some people, taking care of children IS a professional skill. This idea that childcare work simply “doesn’t count” is ludicrous. I do real work. It may not be “professional” enough for your taste, but the kids in my program have parents that are– cardiologists, professors, lawyers, engineers– they can do their jobs in peace knowing their kids are being attentively cared for.
“The challenge of leadership is to be strong, but not rude; be kind, but not weak; be bold, but not bully; be thoughtful, but not lazy; be humble, but not timid; be proud, but not arrogant; have humor, but without folly.”
-Jim Rohn
It is important to remember that we are all different. The way we choose to dress, the place we choose to work and the things we like to do in our spare time are all different but they do not make us any less important than others or any less respectful of ourselves. Before we judge and insult others we should take a moment to realize that we are all human. Everyone has a different plan for their future, but it is the people who are kind to all others who will be happiest and most successful in the end.
Hear, hear Jen! I am a mother of three, and just graduated, sometimes I dressed nicely for class other times I arrived realising I had baby puke in my hair, cheerios in my pocket, and a squeezie “Sophie the Giraffe” in my backpack! Assumptions are dangerous. Why should women dress nicely to gain respect, while their male counterparts walk around in shorts and flip flops in the dead of winter.
Why did you put nanny in quotations? Insinuating that this is not a real profession? As a member of a catholic institution one would think that you would respect the family unit and realise that nannying is and always will be a very important job! After all, these women are helping shape your future leaders! I’d say being Responsible for other people’s children is very adult like, perhaps you should try it before you knock it!
I just want to say that this paper is not only poorly written but the issues brought up are totally irrelevant to what professionalism is. Being a college student and being a professional is the business world are not related. So many people have a functional social life while having a good time and last time i checked your college grade doesnt account for the attire you wear.
Holy mass over-generalizations, Batman!
@ Luke…. funny!
Small-minded, judgmental people get no further in life than people who nanny, go to Tiff’s on Thursday, or don’t always dress “conservatively.”
Yes, let’s demean women for adhering to social norms they’re enculturated to follow and excluded for ignoring, without any conversation whatsoever about the problematic cultural forces that constitute those norms. Let’s say that women do not respect themselves when they show their shoulders (!?) or wear short skirts, regardless of the fact that men can show just as much of their bodies without any such consequences, and even though the reasons anyone is inclined to think that showing a little leg might be wrong is really about the behavior of others, and not intrinsically about the behavior of the one who’s legs are in question. Let’s assume that women who drink act dumb. Or are dumb. Let’s excuse others for not taking people seriously based on appearances, rather than trying to find more reliable ways of determining who ought to be taken seriously. And let’s say that folks who engage in difficult work that’s stereotypically feminine (i.e., Nannies) aren’t doing serious or responsible work.
Or we could engage in a bit more critical thinking.
So now they are deleting comments on this post, is this not a piece that is supposed to be crticized and by deleting all these comments is that not goinn against our constitutional right for freedom of speech?
I agree with every thing that was stated in the above article.
Being also a Male, I must say that I take pride in being as professional as I can when going to class. Granted, most of the time I am wearing some sort of St. Thomas sweatshirt, it is because I tend to be giving tours of the campus that day. Regardless of that fact, I agree that women need to dress more professional and act more professional, but also that guys need to. It says more about who you are.
Coming from a guy, when I see women on our campus walking around in Leggings, I literally just want to vomit or puke because it looks too trashy. It doesn’t look at all respectful. I hate to say this, I really do, and I apoklogize for this, but women claim they want respect, but then go around doing bizarre things and having “girlish fun”. Girlish fun is good, I am not sayibng it is not, but there needs to be a limit on what you do and how you act. How you act in college will translate to how you act in the professional world
Coming from a guy, when I see women on our campus walking around in Leggings, I literally just want to do the exact opposite of vomit or puke. (And I say that with the upmost respect for women.)
Also, James, I don’t think any comments that were previously posted here got deleted. All comments are moderated, and some get deleted before ever getting posted for one reason or another. It’s all in the Terms of Service you agreed to. Are you seeing otherwise? (Also, since TM isn’t the government, they can limit your free speech all they want.)
@Brendan, there are definitely several comments that have been deleted, almost all of which were calling the author of the article out for doing everything she was “putting-down” within the article. Come on TommieMedia?!
Really David????
@Luke, how rude. Christian marriage is certainly a class, as are any of the courses offered by UST.
I just lost a couple of brain cells!!!
Ummm, Well… We are in college. This is also known as not the real world. If you dress up for class, great for you. If you don’t, great for you. What you wear in class has no bearing on what you do after UST.
Also, if you go to the bar on Thursday, guess what?! You are acting like an adult. Happy Hour does not apply to only college kids.
While you are out judging people on their appearance, I’m going to be developing my professional portfolio, while wearing what I want. This is because I am a 22 year old college kid.
So since this article was written, can I write one called “Wear What You Want In College, DO IT NOW”?
@Calvin I would read that article and post it on my fridge!
You guys I have this problem. This morning I woke up feeling really confident, having all this respect for myself and it was great. But then last night I went to a bar while wearing (*gasp!) a TIGHT BLACK SKIRT, then this morning I put on a pair of leggings quick before running to class and by time I got to class all my self-respect was gone! Where did it go?! How can I find it? I put out a wanted ad for it on craigslist, but shortly thereafter (THANK GOD) I found a pair of pants that don’t make other people want to puke because I don’t think I could live knowing someone else doesn’t like how I dress. No, shut up. Don’t tell women they don’t have respect for themselves based on what they wear, you don’t know them, you don’t get to decide what is appropriate for them. Interesting that men weren’t mentioned in the article once. Got misogyny? (thinking women have to act a specific way or they aren’t worth respecting)? THAT makes me want to puke.
Also, to first commenter: “Despite what the modern concept is, visual appearance has much to do with what others opinion is of you, and if you don’t care about that, any potential employeer won’t care about it either. Your assessment is right on, but unfortunately, many will think you “old fashioned” or “out of step” and not take your advice, to their detriment.” Just people students don’t dress who you and your standards from ’51 think they should doesn’t mean they don’t care about how they dress. Please stop trying to dictate this generation with rules that disappeared long ago.
Wow. I congratulate you, Hannah, on your ability to condense all “slut-shaming” (read: shaming women who take control and responsibility for their own bodies) into one convenient post. Please understand that the scale in your mind that determines what is “professional” is not consistent with the scales in other people’s minds. I would go so far as to say the idea of a scale of “professionalism” is ridiculous, since there is no universal standard by which we can all adhere without receiving negative feedback from someone. Please understand that your opinion regarding your personal style is YOUR OPINION. It is not a universal law that all people should adhere to lest they “ruin it for the rest of us”. Mind you, I certainly don’t feel like I’m at a disadvantage because someone else feels comfortable enough to expose the bodies that their Creator gave them. If you honestly believe that women who love their bodies are secretly ashamed of themselves, then I would suggest that you seek out a bodypositive group that is willing to help you understand that loving and respecting each other regardless of how we look or dress is essential to loving yourself. Please try to love yourself and love others regardless of whether or not you can see their “naughty bits” (whatever those…
Hello David. If you honestly feel like vomiting or puking upon seeing other people’s bodies, you should maybe see a doctor. It seems dangerous that your well-being hinges entirely on what other people drape their bodies in. Women were not put on this earth to please you. “Professionalism” is not some kind of fee I have to pay to take up a space on this earth that is marked “female”. If I feel like dressing in a “trashy” way, it is not up for discussion. You do not get a vote on whether or not a girl wears leggings. Please get over yourself, and Please try to remember in the future that these women who disgust you are fellow human beings who deserve love and respect no matter what they wear.
Really? After reading this article and all the comments, I feel the need to reply as well. I went to a school with mandatory uniforms for preschool to 12th grade, so forgive me if I want to wear sweatpants and no makeup to class. I am going to class to LEARN. I am not going to class to impress the people around me, they’re not interviewing me for my future career. I am building the skills necessary to succeed in the work-world, and that takes a lot of effort. Next time you wake up after 3 hours of sleep after a night of studying and stumble into 8:15am Organic Chemistry, feel free to send me a picture of your ‘nice’ outfit. Also, some people have to take summer classes and many internships just don’t work around them. Other people simply need to make money (we DO go to an expensive private college…) and nannying is one of the best ways to do so. Don’t be so quick to judge, it only reflects poorly on yourself. I am deeply offended by your article and your rash over-generalizations.
The article above is certainly interesting. While professionalism has a place, the tone in the article seemed judgmental which never sits well with society – evident here as well. In my opinion, people can wear just about whatever they want, when they want. As for what the author calls “practice for the real world”, I feel as if college should merely give one the knowledge to apply professionalism in the “real world” upon graduation. Now whether or not students should dress professionally in college is completely up to them alone. Something I learned early after graduation last Spring is that we all can only sweep our side of the street. One can certainly maintain being a responsible young adult and not conform to the so called standards some people wish we all abide by. One of the takeaways for me regarding the article was that the decisions one makes in college can end up affecting a whole lifetime. Whether those decisions can be classified as “bad” or “good” is not for anyone else to judge. Our lives are made whole by ALL decisions made or unmade.
Almost everything in this article is offensive in one way or another. I completely agree with Anne, you are completely stereotyping women at St. Thomas and are being totally condescending to your audience. In regards to your first step on the ‘road to recovery’, I know plenty of UST students who are able to balance good grades and a fun social life and that’s unfortunate for you if you haven’t figured out how to do that for yourself. As for your ‘second step’, no one cares what you wear to class. College is our last chance to wear what we want on a daily basis and not have to make ourselves look professional if we don’t want to. As for your last ridiculous step for ‘redemption’, I have been a nanny for the past four summers and make more money per hour than I could at any other job or internship that I have found, plus an extremely flexible schedule and no tax on my income. I don’t know about you but making the most money possible is typically my goal for summers so that I can work less during the school and focus on other things with less financial worries. Try getting off your high horse and considering what you’re saying and how judgmental you’re being before writing your next article.
Wait… did you just say that it was wrong to show your shoulders? And its all of a sudden wrong you wear a bun on top of my head instead of having my hair in my face all day? What century are you stuck in? I sincerely hope, for your sake, that you get off of your high horse and realize that the only person you really need to worry about is yourself. I hope all future employers can see this article. Being RUDE and NASTY is the lowest low of UNprofessionalism.
It really makes me angry how you are belittling “nanying” in this article. I happened to nanny this summer for 4 children- 3 with special needs. It was the HARDEST work I have ever done in my entire life. Not only was I caring for the children so their parents could go to work and make a living and provide for their kids, I was also helping them to grow and learn, something that is important in child development, in case you didn’t know. Also while I was nannying, I figured out what I want to do with my life- work with special needs kids! And guess what else? I’m going to put this job on my resume! So the next time you think that “nannying” isn’t a real job, why don’t you come spend a few hours with me and these 4 children…
I personally feel that you shouldn’t care about what other girls here on campus are doing with their lives, because I don’t see how that affects your professional life in any way. If I choose to get drunk at Tiffs on Thursday, be stupid in the morning and wear leggings to class, that is my decision, and no employer is going to look at you and say “Oh, well you go to St. Thomas and I hear many of those girls wear leggings to class and get beligerant at Tiffs on Thursdays, so by association I will not hire you.” Start worrying about yourself,…
Let’s hope not everyone in our Tommie Media office isn’t this obstinate and narrow-minded…
1.) Wow, sexist much? this isn’t even a creative re-doing of the virgin vs whore argument, women are so much more than that. The only one “ruining” anything for you, is yourself and your unprofessional attitude towards other women on this campus.
2.) Nannying is a real job, being in charge of children is a full-time job and important. Stay at home moms make taking care of children their full time job, and this is no-less important of a job.
3.) Working at Tommie Media is a real job?
4.) Feminism is all about choice, and while i may disagree that leggings are pants, i also enjoy them and find them very comfortable, sometimes function comes before fashion. And i support a person’s (men and women) right to choose what they wear. Also, leggings can be worn professionally, who made you the fashion police?
5.) Don’t judge a book by it’s cover, you don’t know anything about these people, their schedule, their lifestyle, ANYTHING!
6.) Sorry for partying
Thank you for your opinion. However, we have been in the “real” world since we were born. I have a friend in college whose father has brain cancer. I took care of my grandmother for a summer while she starved and died of cancer because she couldn’t eat. I lost one of my best friends in high school in a plane crash. Those are just a few moments I’ve had in my life and only a few when combined with all of our life experience at UST. We’re IN the real world right now! Life is NEVER easy and life is never “unreal.” It is not as if we are going to suddenly appear in the “real world” when we reach the “adult world.” I understand that this is an “opinion” piece, but my opinion is to concern oneself with his or her own professionalism. Whatever other men or women decide to do is not going to “ruin it for the rest of us.” We are all adults here and we are all members of the “adult world” already. No matter what, we all deserve respect. We know nothing about another’s schedule, personal values, morals or financial means. I highly doubt that anyone wakes up, goes to their closet and says “Hm, I think I am going to disrespect myself today and wear this!”
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21
Also:
1.) This article has led myself to drink an alcoholic beverage
2.) After reading this, i am actually going to purchase leggings
3.) Sorry for partying, again
This article is missing the mark. Dressing professional & acting professional is not a guarantee to success. Having the knowledge is what matters. Wearing a suit to class will not help you get better grades. It takes much more then being professional.
Time and time again as a video freelancer in the media I’ve gotten the job over others who dress fancy but know nothing about what they’re doing. (I wear jeans & tshirt to work every day fyi). The clothes I wear does not determine the quality of my work. I act professional and have a tremendous respect for my work and the people I work with. As a young person I don’t have the years of experience that others do but I gain trust and respect from my colleagues from the quality of my work.
As a person in the media I can say humbleness, respect, and knowledge in your field speaks volumes. Much more then simply dressing the part. This article shows none of those qualities. It’s a bit ironic an article about being professional is highly unprofessional.
@Katy, I think you hit the nail on the head when you said that this was just the writer’s opinion. Exactly. This is an opinion piece, and I don’t think people are taking that into consideration before commenting on this article. We all have opinions and viewpoints that others may find offensive or disagree with, but to twist it into thinking this was some sort of personal attack, (I think) was not the writer’s intent. But before commenting on OPINION pieces, remember that they are OPINION pieces.
I can’t say that I completely agree with this article. Yes, I do agree that St. Thomas girls do where short black shirt to the bar. But don’t girls from other schools do to? Isn’t that kinda the point? Nobody wants to be the girl in the oversized sweater sweating because there are so many people compacted in the small vicinity of Tiffs. Most girls are trying to be confident and comfortable in what they are wearing. Although this may hinder your confidence, they are just trying to portray who they are. Isn’t that what life’s about? Being who you are and accepting those around you for who they are? People change with the setting they are put into. Over time things change, but right now girls are just trying to have the fun and look hot before they are pregnant, yah idiot!! Let them dress and act how they want to. How does what someone wears for a night truly.. like you said “However, as I reflected on myself, I couldn’t help but notice the girls I passed on my way to my next class: the ones ruining it for the rest of us.” Nobody reflects on other people. We decide who we want to be as a person and “go with it.” Everyone is different. You should know that coming out of christian marriage. I know a lot of people are hating on you, but after reading these comments you…
Look back at your post and realize you were generalizing way to much about girls here at UST. Yes, we are called the “ken and barbie school” but that doesn’t mean we all conform to the norm. Own what you want to be, but don’t judge others on what they are trying to be. Until I see you on fashion police, keep your thoughts to yourself about wardrobe. I’m sure you’re a great girl. Just don’t be out ridiculing other on who they want to be. To each their own.
It seems like you’ve learned a lot here at St. Thomas… How to dress nice, how to brush your hair in the morning, and wow! You even got a good summer job!!! Most of all, I’m really glad to see you that St. Thomas has taught you to stick your nose up even higher in the air and criticize those below you. Professionalism has its time and place and so do your egotistical judgments. Save them for your twitter feed or write them in your diary, but please spare your classmates your public lecture.
This is extremely judgmental. Not only is it ridiculing females who dress a certain way and enjoy being social on the weekends, but it is as if you are trying to say that these females will be unsuccessful in their lives unless they completely change who they are. I think the ones who will be successful are the ones who realize that physical appearance does not make or break a person in any way. This is also EXTREMELY sexist. I don’t think I need to point out why, it is pretty obvious. I wish a more respectful person could re-write this in a way that only states the benefits of being professional, instead of degrading women for what they wear and do. I thought we were in college here, not Junior High.
@Michael Becker, I get your point but my question to Tommie Media is this, If write an article about all the snobby girls on campus that take themselves way too seriously and give them ‘tips’ on how to ‘improve’ themselves, will you publish it in your so called ‘Opinions’ section? Yes, Michael, everyone is entitled an opinion but shame on Tommie Media for publishing such a low-class, discriminatory, egotistical, nonsensical rant. This girl is obviously bitter because no one invites her to Thursdays at Tiffs, I wonder why…..
I think everyone should be lovers to one another.
I am all for people respecting themselves but I think each person has a different way of doing so – “to each their own”
for the record, my “leggings” cost more than your khaki slacks, paisley sweater, and doc martens.
. . . .combined.
I wear leggings and my hair in a high-bun 5 days a week to class, and guess what? I “somehow managed” to land an internship at one of the top financial and accounting firms in the nation.
…and I’ve been a nanny for the past 5 summers. According to you, I should be unsuccessful and stupid.
Riddle me that, Hannah Anderson.
After reading this article last night, I decided to put away all of my leggings. After doing so, I arrived to class this morning only to realize that I had no pants on at all! Whoops!! Hope my booty didn’t ruin it for the rest of you!
First of all I would like to apologize for some of the comments that I made earlier. What I said was not meant to be taken literal.
Hannah, you were right in speaking your mind, my comments I want to take back, because I feel as though they were not well thought out and my thoughts were not well formulated.
It is interesting to see where everyone is coming from, but I am just wondering what Hannah would have to say right now with the discussion and debate that has happened.
Again, my comments earlier were not meant to be so harsh, or for them to be completely born out of proportion, like mine were. The comments on vomit and puking were just a figure out speech which everyone seems to have taken literally.
Again, I would like to apologize for “speaking my mind” like Hannah did, but I do not see any harm in speaking your mind. The attacks that are happening on this article is absolutely shocking, and I hope everyone is aware at some of the harm that these words and opinions might have.
cheers everyone!
‘Opinion Column’ is right. Real awesome to degrade your own sex, especially when it’s hard enough the way it is for women to be seen as equals. I trust, by the looks of these comments, you’ve been put in your place.
After reading your post, I want to share a few thoughts you might want to consider before posting something the University can see. First, I personally feel beautiful and confident when my hair is back and im wearing my favorite pair of sweatpants. Maybe its you who needs to work on your confidence and feel good about yourself, not just by the clothes you have on. Second, I have been extremely sick the past year- in and out of the hospital. Most days I am so tired and roll right out of bed before class. Am I the one you passed thats “ruining it” for you? I feel sorry for you if it was me, cause I probably had my hospital bracelets right under my sweatshirt and dark circles under my eyes from a late night in the ER. Before your so quick to judge, consider your sources.
I love fashion and have an overflowing closet filled with beautiful clothes like most girls here at UST. I also know the time and place to look nice, and I can tell you I don’t need “practice” on how to get ready for my job. If I make friends in class, its not going to be someone that cares that I am wearing a huge sweatshirt, they will be attracted to my personality. And for my teachers, I want them to be impressed by my work, not my wardrobe.
Do you have younger siblings? Do you know how much…