Follow the Leader (But Not Too Closely)

As I approach the fourth anniversary of my initiation as a Deltasig, I feel that it's time to reflect on how being a part of this fraternity has impacted me as a young professional. -- My undergraduate business studies began amid the disorienting conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time when most first-year students are expected to become involved in their business world, the entire world was just tentatively reopening. I was surrounded by many peers who were still carrying the weight of isolation, a hesitation to socialize, often lacking the very social skills that business demands. I, too, felt a sense of isolation, but for different reasons than my peers who had always had the benefit of brick-and-mortar schooling. My upbringing had always made me feel like an outlier, and now, amidst that sea of hesitant faces, I again found myself adrift. At that time, ironically, the only people who seemed genuinely willing to engage in the spaces I occupied were the faculty. It was w...

I chose "Pop Muzik" by M (Robin Scott) to set the tone for this post because of its ability to worm its way into playlist as a new wave, disco punk song with an uplifting effect on the listener. It is a musical celebration of a particular expression and invites the listeners to take part in this celebration.  The songs that I love the most are the ones that bring together multiple elements that seemingly do not agree. I take a similar approach to my own professional wardrobe. There is no need for me to blend into the pack of gray, navy, and black suit wearing professionals. Not when my style exists as the perfect opportunity for expressing myself within a workplace. My thesis is that for too long "professional" has been synonymous with "muted". This comes from the idea that to be taken seriously, professionals must blend in so they can become another cog in the corporate machine. Ironically, this is a surprisingly gender-neutral stance to be taken by...