University of Nebraska Kearney - Blue and Gold Yearbook (Kearney, NE)

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-Attractive job applicants are more likely to get hired and be paid more. -Tall men score better in the job market than short men. -Just half of 2,000 people surveyed were extremely or quite satisfied with their looks. Only a few were extremely dissatisfied. -Most of the women surveyed like broad-shouldered men with small hips. Most men preferred women with large breasts, medium-to-small hips and me- dium legs. Although these are general state- ments evidence has been shown to prove them true. “There is evidence, for exam- ple that in a traditionally male domain, physical attractiveness can work against a woman applying for a job,” said Frank Saal, a Kansas State University psycho- logist and author of a 1985 study on male and female sexual interaction. However, Saal also said, “In pink collar fields where women dominate the workforce, attractiveness is good for getting hired and for getting paid well.” In classrooms, the same system applies. Saal said, “In a mechanical engi- neering class, beauty often is going to work against a woman. She’ll be seen as a dizzy dame, out of her league. In home economics, looks will work to her advan- tage.” Looks are helpful in some areas for success, but what about dress? Do clothes really make the person? “Clothes make not the man but the image of man ...said Anne Hollander in the book, “Seeing through Clothes.” Clothes are something we spend most of There is evidence, for ex- -L ample, that in a tradition- ally male domain, physical attrac- tiveness can work against a wom- an applying for a job. ” — Saal our money and time looking for. We either want to look stylish and be with the crowd or rebel against the crowd. By now all of us in college know how to dress for style, but do we dress for success? After reading several articles on how to “Dress for Success” I am beginning to think it’s not what you know, or whom you know, it’s what you wear! You want to project an image of strength, compe- tence and authority. Dr. Sarah J. Sweat, author of “Female Appearance Styles,” said, “It is important to recognize that distinct styles of appearance convey relatively consistent and predictable impres- sions. This symbolic repre- sentation can con- sciously be used to influ- ence reactions from others with whom one inter- acts. Most things are judged by their jackets.” Quality rather than quantity should be remembered when buying a wardrobe for success. Clothes should look expensive but do not have to be expensive. Grooming is also very impor tant. The most important ingredients may be found within yourself. Whatever path you choose in life be it business, art, teaching, just to name a few, to be suc- cessful you must be happy with the life you lead, and the path you have trav- eled. That, in any defini- tion, is success. As Leslie McConnell said, “You must be satisfied with the way you look, and have a positive men- tal attitude in life and you can go as far as you want.” Michelle Thompson BE3G Steve St romp, Spalding, is shopping for clothes at Maurices for an im- portant job in- terview! Working hard at Brass Buckle, Brad Powers, Cairo; dresses stylish for his job! 11

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DEFINING SUCCESS DOES PHYSICAL APPEARANCE REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN A PERSON’S FUTURE SUCCESS? While some jobs require formal dress or uniforms, others don% as illustrated by Janet Adams of Omaha. As I enter my algebra class, I first notice the girls who sit in the front. On one side are seated the girls who look as if they dare never have a hair out of place; they give the impression that they would not be seen dead without their makeup on! Ironically, on the other side of the room is seated the opposite type of girl equipped with horn-rimmed glasses, no makeup and a look that sug- gested she hadn’t seen a comb for days. This comparison makes me wonder out of these students who will be the most successful? Who will become Am- erica’s future leaders? Does physical ap- pearance really make a difference in their future success? Do beauty and style affect relationships with others? Define success. Will any two people define it exactly alike? Your goals may be very different from mine. Leslie McConnell, KSC academic counselor, defines success: “Partly a state of mind; you have to be the best you can be, and be satisfied with yourself.” Where do looks fit in with success? In a society of television, MTV, HBO, and advertising, people tend to get con- fused. The media overrates good looks; people feel they have to live up to the stars’ images. They buy Polo cologne or Swatch watches to be “in.” Television is a far cry from reality. “Advertising gives the image, if your good looking society will reward you,” said McConnell. ost men preferred wom- AvJ. en with large breasts, medium-to-small hips and medi- um legs.” uMirror, Mirror” by Sprecher Hatfield “Mirror, Mirror” explores the im- portance of physical attractiveness in school, at work and in romatic relation- ships. The book, by Illinois State Univer- sity professor Susan Sprecher and Uni- versity of Hawaii professor Elaine Hat- field, states, “Physically attractive peo- ple are more likely to score good grades and land better jobs than their plainer counterparts.” Some of the book’s findings show: - Couples consider physical attractiveness to be the most important factor in begin- ning interpersonal relationships. -Pretty women get better grades in college than their plainer counterparts, possibly because professors tend to re- member them. 10

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Moke it. . CAREER PLANNING HELPS STUDENTS PREPARE THEM- SELVES FOR THE JOB MAR- KET AS EARLY AS THEIR FRESHMAN YEAR. The most common mis- take college gradu- ates make in job searching, is not seri- ously looking for a job,” said Dr. Wanda Enns, KSC director of career planning. “They expect the job to come to them, without making any search whatsoever. “One of the first things college stu- dents should know when searching for a job is to be aware of the preparation over a number of years needed.” Enns said, “Planning doesn’t start when a graduate U A resume can be a door opener, but it needs to be precise and to the point ” — Rosenloi is is handed a diploma.” Graduates need to know about themselves, their abilities, special skills, and what employers are looking for, said Jackie Rosenlof, KSC director of place- ment. “Career planning is an integrated component of the educational process, a function that compliments and supplements the curricular program in the fulfillment of the educational objec- tives at KSC,” Enns said. “Career plan- ning should ideally start when a student is a freshman.” Many aspects of seeking a career are important to help students prepare themselves for what possibly will be their first serious job search. To help students through this process, several seminars are offered each semester through the KCS Placement Center. Some titles of sessions for career planning included: “Discovering Your Interests,” “Exploring Your Options,” “Selecting a Major” and “Choosing a Ca- reer.” Special workshops for juniors and seniors included: “The Resume”, “The Interview”, “Letter Writing,” “Dress for Success” and “Corporate Etiquette.” Sessions and workshops are open to all KSC students, usually free of charge. Students who graduate from college get a quick taste of the job market. Many jobs are available, however hundreds of applications may be turned in for one po- sition. the other workshops for KSC career-ori- ented students. Although resumes can be profes- sionally written or standard forms can be used, Rosenlof said, “If you have some- one else write your resume then it’s someone elses. The resume has to say something to get you acquainted with that person on paper.” The earliest resumes included gen- eral information about the person such as physical characteristics and marital Wanda Enns, director of Career Planning (right), helps students plan for the future “A resume is a poster or word pic- ture of oneself,” said Rosenlof. “Resumes need to be well organized, attract the readers attention, plus give the reader an impression of a well-round- ed individual.” Rosenlof said, “Resumes are almost as necessary as a driver’s li- cense.” What should or should not be in- cluded in a resume? How long should it be? Should it be professionally written? Rosenlof tackled these and other ques- tions during the resume workshop, taught twice each semester along with status. This is now taboo, according to Rosenlof. There have been many changes in the resume and it is appar- ently still changing. Every employer sees something dif- ferent in a resume. There is no way to predict exactly what will catch an em- ployer’s eye. There is always a gamble. You must write the resume to please yourself. However, the resume must also be organized effectively. Rosenlof said, “Resumes are almost as much a necessity as a driver’s license,” 12