Fat in college.

[lynnadaine]

Okay, I'm writing in regards to my sister and a situation that happened at her college.

She's 21 years old and a senior in college. Well-liked, an amazing student, on student government, in a sorority, etc. She is also fat. She is a size 20/22, 5'6", conservative dresser borderline preppy. Always on point.

Comments

[sparkofmyteens]

Tell her that if they're going to treat her like that she doesn't want to work there anyway, frankly, and I'd punch her professor the face

[xianghua]

I think I would have to tell her professor that I'm sorry, but it's obvious why he's in academia and not the real corporate world. There are PLENTY of successful fat people in business.

[vintagehandbag]

And tons of successful fat people in academia (says the academic).

[croupier]

I think this comment is full of genius ideas!

[anadamous]

My heart really goes out to your sister because I imagine that she was talking to this professor because she trusted and respected him; it's disappointing to find out that someone you respect is petty and mean. It's a blow. It sounds, though, like he actually respects her mind, which is a great thing. She can still use him for recommendations and the like; she doesn't have to totally write him off. But it's really too bad she has to lose him as an advisor

[croupier]

I really like the thank-you note idea.

[huffy_s]

Agreed. A thank you note can make all the difference. If she really would like to work for that firm, any positive communication is beneficial!

[anadamous]

Especially if they loved her and they'll be hiring again in a couple months...

[audacian]

It doesn't sound like the professor was trying to be mean. Plenty of women don't get hired because of corporations wanting to maintain an image. You don't see many fat women as CEOs and things like that because it's not the image the corporations want to exude.

I'm not saying it's right, by any means, but I think the professor was telling her a bit about reality.

The fashion tips thing? Kinda weird.

[audacian]

* plenty of fat women

[mazzie]

Just to be clear, corporate image refers to how the company is perceived in the world - good or bad, greedy or generous, hip or old fashioned - not how the employees actually look. In an age of inclusiveness (okay, I actually might be projecting from my tiny little bubble here, but...), if the appearance of employees was part of "corporate image," having people of all different shapes and sizes (as well as color and age, gender identity, sexual orientation, etc) would be an asset

[audacian]

I am concerned that saying fat women don't fit in with a company's corporate image is dangerous, because you also don't see many women or minority CEOs, and could probably count on one hand the number of LGBTQ CEOs.

I agree with everything you're saying, especially that - I don't believe it might be part of an actual, admitted "corporate image" or even some kind of sexist/sizeist perception of what a good employee would be, but moreso the fact of an unspoken desirable office image to be upheld. In my experience in working in a corporate office (1200+ people) I rarely remember seeing any women who would be considered "fat" by (faulty) societal standards.

I'm not saying she shouldn't be pissed, or shouldn't inquire as to why she wasn't hired, and if the professor implied in any way that it is acceptable to discriminate based on size she should pursue that with department heads and the like.

[mazzie]

It would be totally professional and appropriate for your sister to contact the firm that didn't hire her and ask them why. Granted, they may bullshit and they're never going to say something as foolish as what her professor is implying, but she may also find out that there was a more experienced person, or the CEO's kid, or they closed the position

[croupier]

Your icon! /dies

[plastic_texas]

is your icon divine? i just saw 'female trouble' and it made me so happy.

[mazzie]

yes :)