Graduate Student by Day, Stripper by Night
Can someone give me some advice on how to manage dancing while working towards a graduate degree? This will be the first time that I have danced at a place so nearby where I am going to school; I am going to school in Las Vegas and working in the suburb of Henderson. I usually try to keep my dancing a private matter and very separate from my work as a student, but I want to be prepared just in case someone from school, namely one of my professors, finds out about it. I'm a graduate student working on a masters in physics, and I'm on a full scholarship with a stipend, so I cannot afford to lose this opportunity. Let me know if you have any advice to offer or have been in a similar predicament. Thanks!
Re:Graduate Student by Day, Stripper by Night
Are you saying that you would for sure lose the scholarship/stipend if it was discovered you were dancing? (maybe a "lack of need" issue?)
because if that's the case I'd fly out of town during school breaks and work somewhere else.
Re:Graduate Student by Day, Stripper by Night
Honestly, I don't know what would happen if it was found out. I know that it doesn't say explicitly in my contract that I would lose the scholarship because of such a thing. However, you know how people can do their best to make things difficult, especially if they were to find my actions wrong from an ethical standpoint. I just want to be prepared for anything that may arise. I'm from a really small town in Oklahoma, so I am used to being around people who really look down upon women who strip.
Re:Graduate Student by Day, Stripper by Night
Girl, you're in vegas now! Do you have any idea how many other girls on campus are doing the same thing? LOTS! ;) If your scholarship is based on need I'd be worried.
But it seems like maybe you just need some coping strategies in case a professor or student walks in. Well, the professor likely will not go around telling others he saw you working in a sc. Fellow students on the other hand probably will. I really don't know what to say except you don't need to apologize to anyone or make any excuses or even give anybody your reasons. If you see somebody you recognize, maybe just high tail it in the opposite direction?
Re:Graduate Student by Day, Stripper by Night
My professors that have found out have been cool with it and kept it to themselves. A couple of them think it's pretty cool. One asked if it was okay to get a lapdance or if he should wait till the end of the semester. :-)
Vegas is pretty open about dancing. I wouldn't expect any of your professors to have a moral issue with dancing. BUT if you're scholarship is based on need and you've been dishonest about your need (hiding the dancing) then that is unethical and if you get caught you'll deserve it.
Re:Graduate Student by Day, Stripper by Night
When I was working on my grad degree in Austin, I stripped in Houston on weekends and holidays such as spring break. No one ever found out because they are almost 3 hours apart by car.....
I'm sure you'll be fine in Vegas. Its more likely that other students might see you rather than your professors.
Good luck!
Re:Graduate Student by Day, Stripper by Night
I just checked for sure, and my scholarships are all merit based. Apparently, my family makes too much money to qualify for anything need based?! Could have fooled me though!
Re:Graduate Student by Day, Stripper by Night
Girl hold your head high and be proud of yourself and what your doing. I personally am really proud of you and being self-dependant.
If your professors happen to come in, they more than likely will not say anything to anyone. Remember that their job is also important to them and they will not want to risk their lively-hood. Students at the college might come in, but if you change you apperance into "stripper" than most will not reconize you in student mode.
Re:Graduate Student by Day, Stripper by Night
StripperAshley,
I can relate to some of your questions....this past year I was working on the first year of my masters while dancing. I cut back to three nights a week, sometimes two in order to fit in the work, and things went very well academically.
Since your scholarship is merit based, don't worry about losing it. I've run into students (luckily no one in my department), but no professors. My main club is ten miles from the campus :(. But this coming year I have a TA position, and don't want to dance in the area with teaching. So if your scholarship includes interacting with your own students, you might want to think about that. But then again, you live in Vegas. I'm from conservative New England.
Good luck and definately put school above dancing.
Re:Graduate Student by Day, Stripper by Night
A handful of the girls at my club, including myself, go to the same university in New Orleans. A couple are chem grad students and their major professor actually comes in to visit them. The professors in my dept also know about my dancing. None of them have ever said anything, but they are on pretty equal terms with all the students and not judgemental. Maybe you can equate New Orleans with Vegas in that the party lifestyle is everywhere and everyone pretty much accepts that you will take advantage of it.