<p>I’m only 22, but my hair has been thinning pretty quickly, starting from when I was 19, so I think I only have a few years before I become noticeably bald. I’ve read that the proportion of CEOs and members of congress is smaller than that of the general population, and the last bald president of the US was Gerald Ford. Is this because bald people have a harder time being successful? I guess I’m sort of fortunate because I want to go into academia where looks don’t seem to matter, but I’m afraid people won’t take me seriously because I’m balding at such a young age.</p>
<p>If you don’t become successful, it’s not because you were bald. Focus on developing traits and skills that will propel you towards where you want to go and focus less on your thinning hair.</p>
<p>I’m sorry, but bald people cannot be successful in life. </p>
<p>I’m just kidding. 
Have you not noticed how many men these days are not only balding, but shave their heads completely? You can go as far as your intelligence/work ethic/education/talents can take you.</p>
<p>Vin. Diesel. 'Nuff said.</p>
<p>Like Michael Jordan? Julius Caesar? </p>
<p>Might as well ask if a short person can be successful … like Michael Bloomberg.</p>
<p>Ron Howard, Magic Johnson, Dr. Phil…the list goes on and on. And let’s not forget one of the most successful men in the universe, Capt. Jean-Luc Picard!</p>
<p>Jim Cramer is doing OK, even despite looking like Lenin. :eek:</p>
<p>As long as you are not ugly, dumb, and short.</p>
<p>If you take yourself seriously, others will also. If you think that watching yourself lose hair over the next few years is going to affect your self esteem, consider wearing a buzz-cut as of tomorrow. Make awesomely short hair a part of who you are now, so you don’t have to think about it in the future.</p>
<p>Most people look for flaws in themselves and then rely on that flaw to explain failure. Being bald isn’t a flaw and it is not something that would ever explain or justify failure. If you are not successful, it won’t be because of being bald.</p>
<p>Wasathwriter said the key. If you have confidence and project that people will pick up on it. Look at it this way, we all have flaws. Height, weight, nose size, disabilities, etc. the list goes on. The truly confident people embrace their ‘flaw’ and move on to more important thing. If you only see a balding person in the mirror you are focusing on something negative and not the warm eyes, or friendly smile, etc… Focus on the positive and others will too.</p>
<p>Silly question, you might as well ask " will a bad hairpiece keep a middle aged white guy from being successful?"
;)</p>
<p>
Maybe it’ll make you look older, sooner which might actually help the earliest stage of your career. </p>
<p>My brother was one of those who looked 35 when he was 22. He secured a job very early on that required respect, fiscal responsibility and authority (director of a huge summer camp, a year-round position). It was unbelievable, given his age, that he got it. In the workplace, for his entire career, people assumed he had authority and experience that he did not yet have, which was actually pressure in the opposite direction. So looking older can help you get a job; keeping it is your responsibility!</p>
<p>Early balding might surprise some of your college peers, but in the adult workplace, you’ll fit right in.</p>
<p>LOL EK - not if he runs a real estate empire and has a smart daughter.</p>
<p>Take a look at a photo of the Justices of the US Supreme Court.</p>
<p>It seems as if half of Wall Street and the treasury dept are bald. Not to mention Michael Jordan. ;).</p>
<p>This is a joke question, right?</p>
<p>Personally, I find many bald men attractive and like the trend of men shaving their heads.</p>
<p>This thread has almost convinced me to shave my head.</p>
<p>Talk about saving a ton of money on shampoos and conditioners! I have to buy some of those for Mr B plus schedule a haircut appointment for him… by the time I’m done, we will be out of $60 or so…</p>
<p>Back in the days, Sinead O’Connor shaved her head, and it did not hurt her popularity a bit! ;)</p>
<p>Seriously, it is not what’s on rhe outside of your head what counts, it is what’s inside of it. :)</p>