Every year at my school’s pre health conference, I give the “professionalism” talk.

The audience is predominantly Black and Latinx pre med students and they have so many important ?s

The talk is broad, but specifically covers (1) hair (2) photos and (3) social media.

I’ve reframed professionalism as how can I bring my best self to work. How can I work with others to best serve my community? How can I be cognizant of the messages I project?

Students ask - can I wear my hair in braids, curly, natural etc. I had one student ask if he should cut his locs for interviews

I wish I could tell them that hair discrimination didn’t exist. Yet, I encourage them to wear their hair in a way that makes them feel confident.

When we discuss photos, I have an example of someone on a mission trip with African children. We talk about how these images project that one (1) may have little regard for permission and patient consent (2) centers themselves in conversation when serving others.

We talk about headshots and how they can be pricey. I give examples of how you can make the best use of lighting and a cell phone for an affordable alternative. We talk about colorful attire and tattoos and piercings and how all of them are beautiful part of who we are!

I don’t give an opinion on if they should lock their social media profiles. I do tell them to be accountable for what they post and know that their patients can easily see their content as well.

I empower them to set up their own boundaries.

I have a private Instagram account and a public one. My private account is for me and my friends. I don’t need the world to have information about where I live or find out my favorite parts of the city. That’s my boundary that I feel good with!

I know we’ve been having a conversation about professionalism and how it is weaponized against URMs. Maybe my talk should be renamed or have a different focus. I’m open to that dialogue.

(And I as a tweet this, I remember that I have indeed graduated and will no longer give that talk )