Anyone who’s ever wanted a tattoo knows how exciting it is to finally turn 18 years old.

I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that it’s finally something we can do that many have been told not to for such a long time.

The day I turned 18 years old, I couldn’t wait to get my first tattoo. I made an appointment ahead of time, and went right after school. I chose a tattoo that says “There is always hope,” to go directly between my shoulders and fell in love with it the second I saw the stenciling in the mirror.

Since then, I’ve decided to add four more tattoos to my collection.

When anyone sees me on an average day, they’ll probably never guess I even have a tattoo, let alone five. I’ve thought out all my tattoos very carefully and chosen areas where I could easily hide them to avoid the chance of risking any job opportunities.

Getting tattoos in visible areas, also known as “job stoppers,” should be thought out more carefully or maybe even reconsidered.

These are usually areas like the wrist, face, neck, and anywhere else that can’t be covered by clothing.

Students are constantly going through different phases, and something that might be cool at age 18 may not be the case when one turns 40. Not to mention, all the changes bodies will go through as people age.

I think getting a tattoo is an exciting experience. However it should be taken very seriously.

Choosing to get a tattoo that can be hidden will be more rewarding when a future job is not at risk.

Tattoos are becoming more widely accepted by society; however, it is still important to be professional when making the decision to get inked up.

Veronica De La Cruz can be reached at [email protected] or @Veronica_dlc on Twitter