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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

New Job, New Work Looks

Kaelyn

Veteran

So, I got my next graduate assistantship to fund my education for the next year! I will be working in the NEW women's center on one of our campuses, helping build it from the ground up. I'll be working in the center as staff and creating and running programming for the center, including fun activities for students and professional development. The campus is STEM-oriented, especially engineering, and there's a big "geek" culture there. Students participate in activities like E-sports (competitive video gaming) and there are cultural groups around interests like anime and Pokémon. My supervisor said that a lot of students on that campus are introverted and many are on the autism spectrum, so there will definitely be good opportunities for me to help students grow (I was super shy when I was younger, and although I'm not autistic, I do have C-PTSD and that has helped me relate to and communicate well with other neurodivergent folks).

Knowing all of that, I want to look professional but also fun and approachable while I'm working in the women's center. I want to be someone who helps students feel comfortable and safe and to cultivate an atmosphere of growth for them. I don't want to buy a lot of things that I wouldn't want to wear in other contexts, so mostly I'm trying to think about how to remix pieces that are already in my closet or that I'm already planning to purchase this year.

Some of my ideas so far are:
- Smart casual vibe in general - dressier than most students, which shouldn't be difficult, because that campus is super laid back
- Dressed up university apparel
- Nice looking jeans with dressier tops and toppers
- Professional outfits with sneakers
- Cheerful colors - conveniently, our main colors are black and gold, so yellow works well!
- More casual outfits elevated by accessories
- Using a bag or backpack with a lot of personalization - keychains, patches, pins, etc. Something to show off my interests that students would relate to.

What else comes to mind for y'all? What do you imagine a FUN university staff member dressing like?

General

24 replies

Latest reply was from Janet

cat2

Veteran

Speaking on behalf of the introverted, aggressively fun dressing is off-putting. I would dial down the quirk until you see how it goes over. I like your idea of things that show your actual interests, and your cubicle is another good place to show that.

Kaelyn

Veteran

I don't think I'm capable of dressing "aggressively" in any sense of the word. What I had in mind was a bit of color and pattern and personal touch here and there.

madeline

Veteran

I am a fan of fun socks.
Personality but not “out there”.
For an introverted modern classic academe, that was my start.
Graduated to cool sneakers and shoes.
Good luck to you in your new position.
Congratulations! I love your enthusiasm and I’m sure the students will love you.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I think your ideas sound spot on for the position and your goals. Like you said, you won't have much trouble looming more dressed up than the students, and I think they will appreciate someflair in your workwear.
Good luck- and congrats!!!

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

It sounds like you're on the right track. College students appreciate people willing to be themselves, and I think you can be a great role model in wearing the things you like to wear. You know your style, and that will be so obvious to them, in the best way!

CarolS

Veteran

Congratulations on the new position and what sounds like a fun and challenging opportunity to build something from the ground up!

I think your ideas are on target -- aiming to be professional but not so far away from the students that you are not relatable. And I agree a bag can be a great starting place -- maybe even a conversation-starter.

Maybe you'll do a bit of a lab and share some of your ideas?

rachylou

Veteran

Hmm. Well I’m not quite an introvert, but the Internets quizzes tell me I’m half way to neuro atypical (y’all are so impressed, I know ) In high school my head mistress got my attention—she did aristo hippie. In college, I quite liked this one lady who did a dainty sloane ranger thing and another who did classic academia with bohemian touches… hmm…

Sloper

Veteran

Congratulations on the new position!

Agree with Jenn's point about authenticity, Carol's point about using items as conversation starters.

Bags with patches and charms, fun sox, tee shirts. Are you a fan of any characters, genres, etc.? Are you allowed to put personal items on your desk like action figures or anime characters you like?

I guess that you might have to balance it with maybe a third piece like a sweater or blazer to wear to staff meetings?

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Interesting challenge. I do appreciate how much more sensitive the world has become to neurodiversity and applaud your thoughtfulness. But there is no way to generalize - some students will barely register your outfits, others will be impressed, inevitably some will be put off. I am with Jenn - being your authentic self is the best path forward. A bit abstract for wardrobe advice I admit .

Joy

Veteran

Congratulations on the new position. Use a coffee cup with characters or messages on it that the students can relate to. I like your ideas and socks that send a message.

Bijou

Veteran

Congratulations! My husband is a teacher of computer science and finds that being authentic with his interests of video games, music and movies helps him relate to his students.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Congrats, and best of luck with the new job!

I don't know anything about what college students wear these days, other than that they are VERY casual! I'm sure you'll effectively feel your way by wearing outfits that hit just the right note. Have fun

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

A *fun* university staff member dresses like *ME* - but I might be a little biased Lol, just kidding - congrats on the job!

But in all seriousness, I also have the issue of trying to balance dressing my age (which isn't too much older than some of my students) but also to command respect (i.e. look like someone students can approach for advice etc). So far I rely on mixing up solid colours rather than too many patterns (which I think some neurodivergent folk can find nauseating), & keeping an optional 'extra' on me as a conversation starter if students wish to engage with it (e.g. I have a 'soot sprite' from Spirited Away that I like to throw around the classroom, instead of a soft ball).

But I agree on authenticity being the best policy - one of the most interesting conversations I had with a student was after they heard my phone ringtone (the codec call alert from Metal Gear Solid), in regards to not expecting someone 'like me' to be into video games (!)

PS - I also have C-PTSD (jury is still out on possible ADD) & found a lot of useful info on managing stress levels (for both myself & my students) in a Mental Health First Aid course I elected to take. Might be worth looking into whether your uni offers something similar, when it comes to 'appropriate' boundaries (fun vs overwhelming) for relating to the students?

Jonesy

Veteran

What an exciting opportunity for you--congrats! I think your ideas are excellent and spot-on, and I love the comments about being your genuine self in how you approach your style. When I was starting out in academia and was on the young side, I frequently defaulted to a jacket (even in soft or casual material like cotton knit, linen, denim...) to indicate my non-student status, so that might be something you might want to throw into the mix, if that's up your alley.

Style Fan

Veteran

Congratulations on your new position! I think being your genuine self is most important. As Jaime said, how you dress will matter to some and not to others.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oh, this job sounds perfect for you! I am sure you will hit the right note!

I was teaching undergrads this year -- albeit mine were artsy, since they were mostly in the writing department. Still, for what it's worth, my work outfits sound exactly like what you are describing -- i remixed denim with a jacket and sometimes a graphic tee or a bright top and boots; more dressy pants/ skirts with boots; lots of juxtaposition and pops of colour and "conversational" items. I was still wearing a mask all the time (we all were) and so I often matched my mask to some part of my outfit. My students loved this and often commented on the outfits. Clothing became a shared topic of conversation in the group!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Congrats on the position!

This post reads like the practical application of April’s recent thread on what is quirky/when does it become forced or weird?

Not to lump everyone together or stereotype too much, but I’m going to guess that neurodivergent women might see STEM as a respite from social requirements of “femininity”, including fashion, so it would be entirely possible to be too stylish/fashionable.

Kaelyn

Veteran

Thanks for the comments and congratulations, everybody! Sorry I've been slow to respond. I've been wrapping up my semester and super busy and low on executive function.

I will definitely see about decorating my work space there--I'm not sure yet whether I'll have a designated desk because I haven't seen the area yet. I know generally where it is on the campus, but that's it.

As for clothes, it sounds like I'm on the right track. I'll focus on just being myself and expressing my personality, and it should be easy to dress a level up from the students since it's a very casual campus in general (when I've been there, I remember people mostly wearing jeans, tees, hoodies, etc.).

Another fun update re: neurodiversity is that I'm wondering if I might have ADHD. I'm getting evaluated on the 31st. Should be interesting either way!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Many of us are relieved to learn that there is a “real” reason we seem different or can’t easily fit into others’ categories. Either way, I assume that in the assessment you will learn about the population you’ll be working with.

Mary

Oh what fun it sounds to start a new chapter in your life. Enjoy being yourself and dress accordingly. Color is a great way to express yourself.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

Sounds like you've got it all figured out - hope you settle in OK

PS - Meant to write ADHD not ADD in my original post, oops! Hope the assessment is enlightening for you either way.

Greyscale

Veteran

This sounds like a great job! From my memories of being an undergrad at a nerdy STEM-y school with plenty of neurodivergence: we all thought it was so cool when someone older than us shared geeky interests. Especially if it was a TA or the department admin or someone we interacted with in their professional role. So you'd be totally free to wear, say, Star Wars tees with a casual blazer. But also, now that I'm faculty (somewhere STEM-y but less nerdy) I definitely see the need to separate myself from the students a bit. Which is easy for me now that I'm twice their age and like dressy clothes! Anyway, it sounds like you've got this figured out. You'll have a lot of fun with the job and your clothing choices will come naturally. Enjoy it!

Beth Ann

Veteran

I grew up a mile from Purdue, with award winning physics professors as my Sunday School teachers. We have a least one more school in Indiana like the one you describe!

One of the things I love about YLF is learning how to create a wardrobe that evolves with me -- retaining the core essence of my style, while responding to changes in environment and lifestyle. Wherever your wardrobe is now is where you start! I'd encourage you to spend an afternoon in your closet, creating outfits and taking selfies to help you remember them. A new job can be fun, but disorienting. It's a good time to wear outfits that feel most organic and pleasing to you! Then focus make slow adaptations and additions to reflect your new role and environment.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

First of all, congrats!!

Good observations here. My strategy would be to start pretty conservatively -- err on the side of a bit "safer" to start, and keep it as professional as possible. Then ease into showing more personality, depending on how your environment evolves. I think you'll do great, you have good instincts.