Which careers benefit transition (prior or during)?

[MsDazzler]

I was musing the other day when I entered some makeup stores, and women's clothing stores as well- I clocked few trans workers who were working there...

It got me to thinking - which careers are beneficial to transitioning by:

1) Boosting your chances of being accepted and able to transition openly on the job, (such as working in a LGBT organization) or...

2) Giving you skills necessary to improve your transition and passability (such as working in the makeup industry where you can learn the makeup techniques first-hand), or...

3) Being in an open-minded environment where your coming out is just a "oh, congrats" and it is business as usual (such as working in the fashion industry where gay people are rampant and plentiful)...

I know some careers, especially heavy male-oriented ones, are determinal to transitioning.

I know I was fortunate to be able to transition openly on the job, being a teacher.

[Rabbit]

I'm working my way into the entertainment industry (as a concept artist and 3d modeler) and it seems to be pretty friendly so far.

From what I hear, artists in general in the industry can be kind of strange... but as long as you are fun to be around, it doesn't matter.

Actually, if anything, my differing presentation has actually helped. It seems to make people curious about me and trust me more as an "artist" ... because... I guess I look the part. I would say it definitely pays to stand out a little bit (as long as it is standing out in a good way).

Other creative types seem to really enjoy that I am trans... they find it interesting (something creative types always love). ((Also, people have been extra understanding at these starting stages when trans stuff seems to get in the way of getting things done... but, of course, that won't fly for long )).

As my character sculpting teacher would say, "all people are freaks, take time to really look at people around you and see just how different we all are". He LOVES different types of people... it is his job to study and learn about all types of people

Basically, I feel pretty comfortable transitioning in this place and this industry. People look at me curiously now and then... but, it really doesn't seem like negative looks... it seems like a look which is saying "hmm, that is interesting... I like what I am seeing".

[Keaira]

I'm working my way into the entertainment industry (as a concept artist and 3d modeler) and it seems to be pretty friendly so far.

From what I hear, artists in general in the industry can be kind of strange... but as long as you are fun to be around, it doesn't matter.

Actually, if anything, my differing presentation has actually helped. It seems to make people curious about me and trust me more as an "artist" ... because... I guess I look the part. I would say it definitely pays to stand out a little bit (as long as it is standing out in a good way).

Other creative types seem to really enjoy that I am trans... they find it interesting (something creative types always love). ((Also, people have been extra understanding at these starting stages when trans stuff seems to get in the way of getting things done... but, of course, that won't fly for long )).

As my character sculpting teacher would say, "all people are freaks, take time to really look at people around you and see just how different we all are". He LOVES different types of people... it is his job to study and learn about all types of people

Basically, I feel pretty comfortable transitioning in this place and this industry. People look at me curiously now and then... but, it really doesn't seem like negative looks... it seems like a look which is saying "hmm, that is interesting... I like what I am seeing".

I do 3D modelling too. ^_^
And I agree. In the computer and entertainment industry you can find people of every type and no one cares so long as the job get's done. Which is partly why I'd love to work for ILM or Pixar.

[Ultimus]

Certainly not my (future) career: investment banking.

[Rabbit]

Oh! I forgot to mention!

My work hasn't helped my transition... actually quite the opposite! Transitioning and starting to learn about makeup and all the "girl stuff" has actually helped my artwork. It has made me more aware of a lot of different subtle aspects between male and female as well (the things that "give us away" ... very very handy to know so I can manipulate how people see my character concepts).

Yea, transitioning has definitely pushed me forward artistically Which is a great bonus

Which is partly why I'd love to work for ILM or Pixar.

I wouldn't mind working in those places for a year... would look really good on a resume ILM is actually going through another round of hiring about now, you should apply!

[Mahsa Tezani]

I work in cosmetics. Where flaming femmes are the norm.

As for careers...I'd say Information technology. It seems to be the cliche transgirls career.


But I worked at the  baseball stadium in SF for the last 10 years. As a flamer, I barely got tips...as a girl, I got 10-20 in tips a day for working a concession stand. Plus all the flirting was a huge ego boost. It was just my old coworkers who had issues with me using the womens room, etc...since they knew me as a boy/

[MsDazzler]

I'm working my way into the entertainment industry (as a concept artist and 3d modeler) and it seems to be pretty friendly so far.

Right! I forgot that the enterainment and computer technology industry tend to be open-minded... wonder why?

I work in cosmetics. Where flaming femmes are the norm.

As for careers...I'd say Information technology. It seems to be the cliche transgirls career.


But I worked at the  baseball stadium in SF for the last 10 years. As a flamer, I barely got tips...as a girl, I got 10-20 in tips a day for working a concession stand. Plus all the flirting was a huge ego boost. It was just my old coworkers who had issues with me using the womens room, etc...since they knew me as a boy/

Yeah.. I thought of you when I entered the makeup store in SF mall and clocked a worker there, lol.

Hmm, you mean you transitioned openly on the job at the stadium? wow... with all those hot blooded straight jocks. heh

[Mahsa Tezani]

Yeah.. I thought of you when I entered the makeup store in SF mall and clocked a worker there, lol.

Hmm, you mean you transitioned openly on the job at the stadium? wow... with all those hot blooded straight jocks. heh

Did that girl look like me? LOL...

Yeah, jocks and sports fan customers were awesome with me. I got so much attention from the fans and new coworkers.

My coworkers from Hunter's Point...not so much. They managed to figure out how to make the job each day a living hell... Like outing me to customers.

[Keaira]

Oh! I forgot to mention!

My work hasn't helped my transition... actually quite the opposite! Transitioning and starting to learn about makeup and all the "girl stuff" has actually helped my artwork. It has made me more aware of a lot of different subtle aspects between male and female as well (the things that "give us away" ... very very handy to know so I can manipulate how people see my character concepts).

Yea, transitioning has definitely pushed me forward artistically Which is a great bonus

I wouldn't mind working in those places for a year... would look really good on a resume ILM is actually going through another round of hiring about now, you should apply!

I didnt go to school to do modelling so I don't have the paperwork ILM needs. But I'm happy doing work like this:



Optimus Prime is an ongoing project btw. I just haven't had time to work on him. And the Blue Anthro is my Fursona, Miri Tekker. I think I've spent hours just working on her make-up. She's been refined a few times.

[Alainaluvsu]

Cosmetology

If you grew up with short hair, no makeup skills, no knowledge of how to do nails, and were generally casted out of girl talk, cosmo school will get you there with the quickness. You'll make friends, and some jobs in cosmo make 70k+ ... Best off, chances are you can be yourself and not be bothered by anybody! Plus you don't have to do hair as a cosmetologist, I know somebody who wants to do makeup for the deceased for wakes and funerals.

Let's go down your list:

1. Cosmo is KNOWN for being wide open to the LGBT community. Girls getting their hair done do not give a crap if you've transitioned either.

2. Going to school for cosmetology will benefit you as a female not just in a tangible way (basic beauty skills), but in a social sense because you are generally around women and you can get a handle of how to deal with them as peers.

3. I've come out to 2 people in school (I've not transitioned), and both of their reactions were sort of like "and?" .. not: "  oh... okay... strange but that's okay.." or "OMG THAT'S CUTE! I WANT TO BE YOUR FRIEND" (AKA I think it's so adorable that I'm going to try too hard to focus on you're a guy that acts like a girl instead of treating you like a female)

It's been the most valuable 16k I've ever spent (especially since I qualified for grants on 10k, so I really only need to pay back 6)

[Mahsa Tezani]

Cosmetology

If you grew up with short hair, no makeup skills, no knowledge of how to do nails, and were generally casted out of girl talk, cosmo school will get you there with the quickness. You'll make friends, and some jobs in cosmo make 70k+ ... Best off, chances are you can be yourself and not be bothered by anybody! Plus you don't have to do hair as a cosmetologist, I know somebody who wants to do makeup for the deceased for wakes and funerals.

Let's go down your list:

1. Cosmo is KNOWN for being wide open to the LGBT community. Girls getting their hair done do not give a crap if you've transitioned either.

2. Going to school for cosmetology will benefit you as a female not just in a tangible way (basic beauty skills), but in a social sense because you are generally around women and you can get a handle of how to deal with them as peers.

3. I've come out to 2 people in school (I've not transitioned), and both of their reactions were sort of like "and?" .. not: "  oh... okay... strange but that's okay.." or "OMG THAT'S CUTE! I WANT TO BE YOUR FRIEND" (AKA I think it's so adorable that I'm going to try too hard to focus on you're a guy that acts like a girl instead of treating you like a female)

It's been the most valuable 16k I've ever spent (especially since I qualified for grants on 10k, so I really only need to pay back 6)

You're into men right? GGirls never shut their traps about men.

[MsDazzler]

Cosmetology

If you grew up with short hair, no makeup skills, no knowledge of how to do nails, and were generally casted out of girl talk, cosmo school will get you there with the quickness. You'll make friends, and some jobs in cosmo make 70k+ ... Best off, chances are you can be yourself and not be bothered by anybody! Plus you don't have to do hair as a cosmetologist, I know somebody who wants to do makeup for the deceased for wakes and funerals.

Let's go down your list:

1. Cosmo is KNOWN for being wide open to the LGBT community. Girls getting their hair done do not give a crap if you've transitioned either.

2. Going to school for cosmetology will benefit you as a female not just in a tangible way (basic beauty skills), but in a social sense because you are generally around women and you can get a handle of how to deal with them as peers.

3. I've come out to 2 people in school (I've not transitioned), and both of their reactions were sort of like "and?" .. not: "  oh... okay... strange but that's okay.." or "OMG THAT'S CUTE! I WANT TO BE YOUR FRIEND" (AKA I think it's so adorable that I'm going to try too hard to focus on you're a guy that acts like a girl instead of treating you like a female)

It's been the most valuable 16k I've ever spent (especially since I qualified for grants on 10k, so I really only need to pay back 6)

+1 to this!

So far we have entertainment, art, cosmetics, fashion, and hairstylist industries...

What about the medical and educational fields??? Are they any more open minded - considering their high levels of education and exposure to transgender people?

[Alainaluvsu]

You're into men right? GGirls never shut their traps about men.

Yes I am, yes I know.. lol. The past 3 months I've heard nothing but what someones boyfriend did. It annoys me because it's difficult for me to find a guy and I'd honestly like to brag about my boyfriend once in a while. Plus I'm one of those "I wanna be held on Christmas" kind of girls so I get jealous listening to them brag... damnit!

What about the medical and educational fields??? Are they any more open minded - considering their high levels of education and exposure to transgender people?

IDK about the medical field, but I've noticed alot of transsexuals saying that their endo's are trans.

[Mahsa Tezani]

Yes I am, yes I know.. lol. The past 3 months I've heard nothing but what someones boyfriend did. It annoys me because it's difficult for me to find a guy and I'd honestly like to brag about my boyfriend once in a while. Plus I'm one of those "I wanna be held on Christmas" kind of girls so I get jealous listening to them brag... damnit!

Yeah...become a girl and you end up hating those GGs. They are catty, boring, etc

Then there little brothers and dads get attracted to you.