So I work in a Helpdesk, I dont plan on being here forever unless I get offered Full time and then who know how long I would still be working here. (I like being out and about, HATE sitting here for 6+ hours) Then if I do get a new job some place else, I am studying computer Network Security. May try and get a job with a contracted for the military once I am done with school.

Knowing that info...

I wanna get a half sleeve, but I am not sure of the standards of A. a contracted military employee. B. exacted by the IT community. It will most likely go onto my elbow and not any lower. I know that there are places that look down upon tattoos and I dont really wanna work for a place like that, as I have not taken a job before because they said I looked "clean cut and I don't have any tattoo" little did they know I DO! This will be my first tattoo in an "ify" spot. I can hide my others with pants. This one wont be that easy.

Thanks for your input.

As long as it can be completely covered by you shirt sleeve, you're fairly safe. You aren't joining the military, you would be a contractor.

Basically, as long as it can be concealed in a way that it can't be seen, most places wont care. The ones that do, you don't want to work for anyhow.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using Tapatalk 2

I'm going to give you my opinion - but I'm going to start by explaining my relevance in your question. I'm an IT exec (think CIO) for govt contracts in defense and energy. I have been in this market segment for at least 12 years plus another 9 in commercial. My opinion is going to apply to both environments.

While I appreciate expressions of lifestyles I can tell you that even for me, something like that screams "hey, let me show you how I can lower my credibility and marketability while making poor decisions about how I use money." Sorry - that's just my first reaction when I see people with highly visible or over-the-top tattoos or excessive piercings (like gauges). I have my own - you'd never see them, and I stopped wearing an earring when I decided I wanted to be more than a tech and taken seriously in my field of work (and not mistaken for geigh or dbag). If you want to get out of helpdesk or other IT commodity work and really build your career, don't place a superficial obstacle in your path that is not truly a reflection of your abilities (but speaks for your judgement). I'm not saying "don't do it!" I am a firm believer of first being yourself - but "yourself" should give some thought to who "yourself" really wants to be in the future. If you think it's "iffy," it probably is and will probably decrease your odds at quickly and solidly growing your career. That's just the way it works.

I would need long sleeves and a watch to cover my tattoos. When I worked in a professional environment I had to wear slacks and a button down oxford style shirt anyway.

First, Thanks for the input so far!

The Tattoo I'm thinking is a family history tattoo. My family is Scottish and I have always wanted my family crest. So the tattoo will be a Dagger in the center; you will only see the tip of it. (no blood or anything) Then on the back outside side my Family crest and on the inside something else (not sure castle of something else for my kids). So the tattoo its self is not iffy.

I dont wear long sleeve, I am a very hot person, I wear shorts in the snow. My wife loves me and hates me for it to, LOL. So that's way out of the question.

My boss said as long as I dont go into management I will most likely run into issues. I dont really plan on going into management but who knows :/

I don't think it matters what the tattoo is of, within reason of course. In a professional environment a tattoo is a tattoo.... If you have no intention of wearing long sleeves I wouldn't get anything on your arms. Or find a different profession.

It also depends on the cultures in which you think you'll find yourself working. IT is a global business - and like it or not, you'll be interacting with other cultures in your career. Many cultures automatically correlate tattoos with prison time. Not exactly the image you would want to portray. If you are dead set on it, I'd strongly advise something that ends 3-4 inches from your elbow... and get heavy tshirts (black or thick white) that will hide it in thinner shirts. (I'm no saint and it works for me) That way you won't have to come up with excuses for not wearing the uniform or company logo polo shirt.

I'm glad you are receptive to this input. That signals a lot of maturity and intelligence. I believe you will do the right thing and go far!

I've preached this for years. "Location, Location, Location". I am a fan of tattoos, having 9 myself. However, in my standard work attire (jeans and polo-style shirts) you would never know. There are many younger folks from church and friends of my daughters that know of my tattoos and periodically ask my opinion about getting them. I usually offer the same advice.

1) Tattoos are permanent (for all practical purposes). So, choose wisely what you might get.
2) IF you ever what to get it removed, it is twice as painful and ten times as costly. So, again choose wisely what you might get.
3) Location. Pick a spot that can be out of sight for work. Some day you may want "A real job".

While a Tattoo "SHOULD NOT" be a detriment to obtaining employment, you can not control what people think or how they react to them. So, why give them the opportunity???

Not certain that I am making sense here... But, I know what I mean... Good Luck. Just my

As tattoos gos get what you want but if you are going to be in a public or office setting (this includes IT fields) for work best to keep it hid and now lower then a short sleeve can cover.

There is lots of people that think like my aunt dose. She thinks that they are disgusting and trashy. It dosen't mater what it is and what it is for, she will not like it. Unless it is your parents or kids I wouldn't put any one else name on ya.

As some one with tattoos who would you rather work on your computer systems, some one that looks like a geek and to scared to get a tattoo because of the pain or some one that looks like the belong in a rock band or some where hacking computer (just using extremes). This is just my thoughts.

While I would never get a tattoo, I see no problem with tastefully done (ie: very expensive) tatoos that have a deep personal meaning. Many of the guys I work with have a tattoo to commemorate their war time in the desert.

My son is a Computer Engineer and has hair halfway down his back and whatever facial hair a 22 year old can grow. He dresses profesional at work to compensate. Others who are clean cut get away with nice jeans and a polo.

Silly tattoos like spiderwebs, tramp stamps, trible, barbed wire, etc date a person and the influences on their life. Random tattoos that have no meaning or central theme just look stupid, but that is My Opinion and the Opinion of other professionals I work with.

I was hell bent on getting a tattoo, like two years ago, had something picked out and found the place to do it...Today, I DON'T have it and I am glad for it...why....be different...everyone seems to have ink in some way these days and now I feel different just not having one...If you have to have one, go henna and see if you really like it...These wear out in a certain amount of time and if you really like it, then go permanent, but as for me, I'm glad that I didn't make the decision.

Since you may want to move up the chain some day (never know) and your field can be picky, I'd advise you to get the family crest on your shoulder. However, consider what you wear. I have ink on my arms just above the elbows and when I had to go to court for a criminal speeding ticket I put on 3 different dress shirts before I found the one that you couldn't see the ink through. Obviously it was a shirt that was not so summer friendly (incidently the judge was super nice and decreased my charge so I could take the defensive driving course - and I don't open the throttle so much to get around slow pokes in the HOV lane, not worth it). Maybe it needs to be a leg tattoo until you are established.

Originally Posted by Arizona Streake

Maybe it needs to be a leg tattoo until you are established.

legs are already started LOL I have a Koi and a fluer de lis.

417370_10151093446014883_1539778413_n.jpg HPIM0071.JPG

Do you have to shave your fish?

Nice ink work. I have a big tree done covering my shin from the ankle to about 4" below the knee. If your shins are still blank then it's a great place for big work, and you also get to see it all the time. My wife complains that her best ink is on her back and she can't ever see it without a mirror.