Of course, I mean no disrespect to anyone who engages in sex work; I strongly support anyone who chooses to do so. The only problem I have with any kind of sex work is the lack of rights that go along with this career that those of us who work in other areas enjoy such as insurance, nondiscrimination, and not getting arrested when we go to work. You know, little things...In fact, we can all do our part in helping sex workers by supporting organizations such as St. James Infirmary here in San Francisco that are in danger of losing much needed funding.
So you want to work in the field of sexuality but you don't really like taking off your clothes in front of strangers or strangers with cameras...there are other options. In fact, one of the questions that I am often asked by our students at SF State is "how do I get your job?" Well...my job isn't vacant, so you'll have to wait until I decide to leave or have me knocked off. Instead of plotting my death or hiring a hitman, I have some suggestions for all of you who hope to one day be gainfully employed as an educator, researcher, or provider in the field of sexuality.
1. Get a degree in sexuality studies.
2. Get a degree in another field but take as many sexuality classes as you can.
3. Supplement your education by attending a Summer Institute on sexuality.
4. Get experience working in the field.
Recently while visiting NYC for a work-related meeting, I met with the leadership at some of the important sexuality-realted organizations - places like SIECUS, Planned Parenthood, Advocates for Youth, the Guttmacher Institute, ANSWER, etc. - to ask what types of training opportunities they would like to see us develop at the NSRC. I asked what they look for in job candidates. Guess what? They said they didn't care what degree people had or what thesis someone wrote. They weren't impressed with classes on theories of sexuality or whether or not someone could quote Foucault. They wanted someone who had practical experience working with others in the field either as student assistants, internships, or even volunteer work. So...for all you students out there who want my job, you MUST take advantage of the opportunities that are available to you such as internships at the NSRC or community-based organizations or assistant positions working in the office or on research projects. In case you're curious, I worked as intern for the Callen-Lorde Community Health Center while working on my masters degree and was eventually hired as a consultant. That position lead to another and another and eventually landed me where I am today.
