Several years ago the company I working for was sold to a much larger, more conservative company, which did not allow it's staff to have a beard. I debated this issue for a number of days when it was finally put to me like this...shave the beard or leave immediately. I decided to shave the beard to keep the job...then, within three weeks, the entire sales staff was let go as we were "no longer needed". I remained clean shaven while I looked for a job, however, began grfowing my beard again once I was employed, and have vowed to never again shave the beard just to keep or get a job. It is as much a part of me as any other part of me!