Cedars, March 2019

her tattoos will affect her future career ei- ther. She plans to live and work in California and thinks that tattoos, piercings and simi- lar artistic and creative liberties are no lon- ger a problem. Peterson said for most po- sitions today, tattoos, especially those that are easy to cover up, won’t be an issue in the hiring process. “I’d say go for it but consider how it might affect you,” Peterson said. “If you feel that it might affect your future, then maybe just consider placement and get it in a place where it won’t matter or won’t be seen often.” Professor Aaron Gosser, associate pro- fessor of art, got his first tattoo with his wife to celebrate being married for 18 years. He said the way mainstream tattoos are viewed has changed tremendously recently. His only recommendation for getting tattoos is an understanding of purpose for the tattoo. “Understand who you are right now (a very junior version of your final self), and where you are right now (with so many things still undecided),” Gosser said in an email interview. “I can honestly say I’m a different person now than I was 20 years ago; understand how long life is and how little of it you’ve experienced to date.” James Osborne, senior computer sci- ence major, said that when he got his first tattoo, he was aware that a tattoo may affect his ability to get a job. He placed his tattoo on his arm so it would be easy to cover for an interview. “No one has ever asked me [about them] because I’ve always kept them covered,” Os- borne said. “Once the interview is over, if we’re in a candid situation that I know won’t affect things, I might bring it up in normal conversation and then make a decision to let themknow about my tattoos, but that’s specif- ic to the situation.” Osborne said his only advice would be to avoid places like the hands, face and neck, places that would be hard to cover up. He also said that he sees tattoos as an art form. “I think that tattoos should be given the same kind of respect and understanding that we would give any art,” Osborne said. “There is some responsibility on the person getting the tattoo to understand what they are and what they mean, but all of it is art in a way.” Assistant professor of psychology Betsy Linnell, said tattoos can have great mean- ing. Linnell got her first tattoo in 2016. It’s a combination of puppy paws, two butterflies and an infinity loop. The tattoo functions as a reminder that God makes her new every day, something that was also shown to her through her late therapy dog, Avie. “I did consider employment,” Linnell said. “I was working with children and wanted it in a place that was not overly no- ticeable. It became a witnessing tool for me to share about Christ.” She suggests tracing the design or wearing a temporary version in order to make sure the tattoo is the one you want. “Consider long and hard. Really think through whether it is something you want to be explaining to people, and whether it is God-honoring,” Linnell said. “While things may be permissible, are they beneficial?” Zach Krauss is a senior pharmacy/music double major from central Texas and cam- pus reporter for Cedars. He loves music, theatre, biology, community and meeting new people. March 2019 5 CAMPUS Photos by Kelsey Feuerhak Jess Westernberg is a junior social work major, and one of her tattoos reads “It is well.” Photos by Kelsey Feuerhak Parker Musick is a sophomore graphic design major with a tattoo of the state bird of Florida, his home state.