Gee, what should I major in?
Made it to New City– we have been unpacking and organizing the house. I also dropped by campus to see my office and lab.
I had been thinking of upgrading my wardrobe so that people would not think I was a student. Now I realize it is futile. On Monday I put on my most respectable outfit and did some errands on campus. The bank teller asked me if I was ready for classes (and no, she did not mean to teach them!) and a person I asked for directions asked if I had just moved here to study (from which I conclude that I look like a young graduate student and/or freshman).
So, either a) I look very young, regardless of outfit, or b) my idea of "respectable outfit" makes me look like a 21-year old. Oh well. I guess I’ll do as the bank teller said, and be happy that I "have good skin."
On the flip side, one of the graduate students in my department who I bumped into said, "Hi, Professor!" when he saw me. So that was fun.
You are not alone! My monday went the exact same way. Bank teller, ID giver, and random women in line for parking services all asked if I was a student. I keep wishing there was store for professor clothes!
Comment by April — August 20, 2008 @ 12:14 am
I got that all the time until I started wearing suits from Ann Taylor. When I moved from a university to a west coast SLAC I felt waaaaaaaay too formal in them. Dressing a little down did get me pegged as a student, but it seemed better than overly formal. I don’t know what the answer is, but I settled on nice slacks with pretty plain sweaters and nice button-down shirts from Pink, and even jeans occasionally. I think I also stopped caring at some point too.
Comment by Field Notes — August 26, 2008 @ 1:51 am
A year later as a prof and I still have the same problem. I find a good way to differentitate myself as a prof is by the way I talk - no slang, deliberately, and no “Valley Girl” inflection. Things are very hierarchical here, anyway, so I find myself stressing the “Dr” when I introduce myself - which, of course, only makes me feel dumb.
Comment by Tiffany — September 4, 2008 @ 6:30 am