As I mentally prepare to get my first tattoo, I keep asking myself over and over again, "But what if I need to hide this?"

I realized that question alone is the reason why I'm only just getting my first piece done.

Unfortunately, this is the case for many young people as they have to decide whether or not risking job opportunities to get new ink is worth it. If tattoos are nothing more than a statement — similar to colorful, dyed hair or body jewelry — then why are they considered unacceptable and inappropriate in the workplace?

No, tattoos are not for everyone, but that does not mean you can judge someone for their choice to cover their bodies in art. They are a form of self-expression by helping define and make sense of who someone is.

There seems to be this preconceived notion — a longtime myth — that people with tattoos are automatically less qualified, irresponsible, delinquents, or not prompt. That is not the case. A tattoo merely represents a portion of someone's life.

It is a wearable story. A story that honors someone else — a story that shaped the individual into who they are. Tattoos represent hardships, memories, sacrifices, and accomplishments.

I want to express myself in a way that I can look back on a tattoo and think of those times with an open-minded perspective. For that reason, I shouldn't have to worry about being judged by others when going to work, and I definitely shouldn't have to worry about being rejected from a job because I have ink.

The fact of the matter is that some employers look at a candidate, and they don't see a tatted person — they see a tattoo that deems them unfit for a particular position. That is workplace discrimination.

If the average employer has updated how they view and handle gender, race, and sexuality, then tattoos should be treated the same. These qualities should not be a factor in the hiring process.

A tattoo has nothing to do with someone's work ethic or capability because they cannot define intelligence. My body is not my resume, and it does not show how qualified or unqualified I am to do my job. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so ask yourself if the hiring process should be a beauty contest or based on experience, talent, and achievement.

Employers shouldn't hire people with tattoos — they should hire the most qualified person for the job. If that person happens to have tattoos, then hire them. If they don't hire the most qualified individual for the job, then their competition certainly will.