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Workforce Development Tattoos?


On a frigid cold Saturday in New England, I ended up at a warm and toasty restaurant full of folks seeking to get out of the cold and enjoy the social scene. At the table across from mine, there was a group of young women having a birthday celebration. The party wound down and they were getting up to leave. Since it was so cold, the group had to take some time to put their coats, hats, and gloves on. As the birthday girl started to bundle up, her tattoo became visible. The tattoo was a red heart with a beating heart line going through it, with the word “nurse” scripted below.

Someone in my party saw the tattoo and decided to ask her about it.  The young woman explained that she is a nurse and the day she passed her nursing board examination, she went out to celebrate and mark her achievement and career as a nurse.  Many people have tattoos, and when you ask people about them, each one has a story behind it.
 
Her story was great and hearing her tell the brief story, you could see that she was passionate about nursing, but more interesting it brings up an interesting question for workforce professionals.  What tattoo would symbolize the profession of workforce development?

I have been thinking of this since that moment.  If I was considering a picture, what would it be? Could it be a “pink slip” to symbolize the unemployed that are seeking jobs and services? Maybe a picture of a résumé or a computer to represent job search?  I am not sure if a picture could symbolize my occupation as a workforce development professional.
 
Instead, I could consider a labor market statistic, like the unemployment rate or something to advertise my value to employers, such as, my brand statement. I could also consider tattooing my résumé on my body.
 
Then there is the placement of the tattoo. The woman I met had it on her left upper arm, around her triceps. Although I don’t know the significance of her tattoo placement, if you were to get a workforce development tattoo, would the placement of the tattoo add significance to the tattoo story? I will leave that to the imagination instead of further discussion.

After a full day of thought on this subject, I have not come to any conclusion on the matter. I am not sure I will, but someone out there in the blog-o-sphere may have some ideas. Although I am passionate about my profession and the field of workforce development, I am going to have to pass on the workforce development tattoo for now. 
 
I can be reached by posting comments below, by email at kcirincione@gmail.com, on Linked In at https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenjcirincione or on Twitter @kcirincione. ~ Karen Cirincione

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