On what to wear when teaching (and knowing when to listen to senior faculty).
When I first started teaching, I looked REALLY young.
I used to show up in shorts, t-shirts & flip flops. I was 27 or so years old.
I figured - I was a student - what did it matter?
When it was time to teach it mattered.
My early-career academic mentor, a woman commented, "you don't have to worry about this in day to day life, but how you dress in class, will affect how students treat you."
So, rather than shorts, I wore levis. I swapped t-shirts for a collared shirt. I put away the flip-flops & wore sneakers.
Once my clothes fit the part, my teaching evaluations worked out.
Years later, when I took a job, my advisor sat me down.
They commented that it was time to dress professionally & told me to buy new clothes.
I made a steep investment in dress clothes. I turned up to my new job in slacks, dress shirts, & wing tips.
I slipped seamlessly into being a faculty member ...
However, when I didn't teach, I was still casual.
My dept chair called me into the office. He told me the Associate Dean felt I needed to dress more professionally & strongly suggested that put the flip-flops away until tenure.
The wingtips became daily wear.
Tenure went smoothly ...
What did I learn?
First, dressing the part is important, esp. if you are young.
I found, that when I dressed more professionally, the students listened.
My graduate school mentor was not wrong.
Second, dressing the part is important, esp. if you are starting a new job.
When I took my first academic position, I found that my advisor was wrong.
Very few people at that first job wore sports jackets to teach. The code was more business casual.
However, I never regretted overdressing the first few months of teaching.
The senior faculty treated me as a peer.
Third, dressing the part is important, esp. if you have a picky boss.
My then associate dean was famous for his bad humor.
I appreciated that my dept chair had shielded me from him.
I have no doubt that if I had not listened, my tenure case would have been in jeopardy.
Fourth, when senior faculty request change, take time to listen.
I was not thrilled to be told to change. Clothes are a part of our identities. I liked wearing flip-flops.
I took stock.
My mentor, my advisor, & my dept chair had no skin in the game. They wanted to keep me out of trouble.
When I realized they had no ulterior motives, I changed my behavior.
I've come to appreciate these senior faculty. When I've had to counsel an early-career person to change, it's brought me no joy.
So, if a senior person stops in, set your hubris aside, & listen - be it about your shoes, your demeanor, or your work. Take stock of their feedback. If the requested changes make sense, you most likely won't regret it.
Best of luck!
P.S. these days, I wear sandals to work. I've had my last promotion :D
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