Are Career and Furry Incompatible?

My buddy Tycho Aussie sometimes wears his fursuit at his office, and his boss and coworkers are cool with it :-3

Dear Papabear, 

How are you? And Happy (belated) Valentine's Day. I've been in the furry fandom for at least two years (or three, I haven't been keeping up really). I was a gamer ever since I was 8 years old, and at age 15, I found out that I wanted to have a career in the gaming industry as a game designer. And in 2013, I gained interest in the furry fandom and it has really helped me through many things. But now I seem to have hit a dilemma, should I give up being a furry just so I can have a successful career?

Kind Regards,

Neo the Demon Skunk

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Dear Neo,

Your question no doubt stems from the all-encompassing fear among furries that they will be “found out” and fired for being a furry. Nonsense. If that were true, nobody who was a furry would be able to hold down a job and we would all be living in our parents’ basements. Furries of all sorts have great careers, and you can, too.

To have a career outside the fandom, just adhere to the same rules that everyone else follows while at work. These are obvious things, such as don’t use company computers and company Internet connections to look at furry websites and chat with furries; use them ONLY for business activities. When in the office, follow whatever dress codes are expressed in company policy (this likely means no tail, ears, partial fursuits, etc., except perhaps at a Halloween party). Office time is for the office; keep your personal life at home and you will be fine.

As with any “rule,” there are exceptions. Some offices are totally cool with furries. The best example I know of this has to do with my buddy Tycho Aussie. He has worn his fursuit at work, and the people there love it. Now, this is not typical, but it is possible.

You do not have a dilemma at all. Stay furry!

Hugs,

Papabear

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