Tattoos in the work place have become more acceptable over the years.

But they still might cause concern for employers.

Bob Berry, a business information systems temporary faculty, sees more tattoos today than 25 years ago, but still does not think they will necessarily help someone’s career.

“It probably shouldn’t effect the way employers look at you but, at the same time, in reality, it does,” Berry said.

He said how acceptable tattoos are depends on the job. Berry said if one is pursuing a career in professional wrestling, tattoos should not be a problem. But a company such as a bank could be a different story.

“If you represent a company or bank and want people to feel trustworthy, you have to fit into society’s standards,” Berry said.

Business information systems instructor Christine Shull said the perception of tattoos has not changed much with this generation.

She said when today’s college generation holds management positions in the future, tattoos will be more acceptable.

Shull said if she were hiring somebody, she would look more at their credentials than their tattoos.

“Tattoos could potentially hinder your possibilities of getting a job,” Shull said. “Banks have policies and dress codes and tattoos and piercing have to be covered up.”

She said newer companies may not have as strict of policies.

Who likes ink?

Shull said the market also plays a big role in determining how tattoos will affect someone’s career.

“If someone was in a position where they were speaking to an older generation, I would question it but, for college-age students, it would be okay,” Shull said.

Midland senior Tom Bullock has large portions of his body covered in tattoos. His entire back is a giant tattoo of a woman’s camp site.

Bullock plans on becoming a woodshop teacher and said he does not see his tattoos as being a major problem. He said he knew a few teachers in high school that had tattoos.

But Bullock keeps his tattoos in places that can be concealed like his back, chest and calf.

He said he would never get tattoos in visible places such as his hands or neck.

“They’re mine and they’re not on display for everyone,” he said.

Widespread trend

Bullock said these days, almost everyone has a tattoo.

“You’re almost part of a minority if you don’t have one,” Bullock said. “People you’d never expect to have one, have some.”

Chelsea Melvin, a 2007 alumna, has two full-length sleeves covering both her arms.

One of her arms has a guitar and piano keys that wrap around her arm. The other is a big tree.

Melvin works as a beverage director at Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort, 6800 Soaring Eagle Blvd., where she supervises about 30 people.

She wears a suit to work and said when people see her outside the job, they cannot believe she has so many tattoos.

“People just don’t suspect a five-foot-five blonde chick would have all those tattoos,” Melvin said.

E-mail the author: Joe Borlik