Stereotypes can be even more dangerous than you think.
because there are workers who will see one of my students with a phone out and assume that she’s just goofing off, when she might be checking her email to see if the ribbon she sourced is ready, or how garments she did quality control for that afternoon. Because that stereotype is real: if you’re an intern or entry-level employee taking notes on a tablet in a meeting, and someone from the office doesn’t know you, he can assume that you’re goofing off, emailing friends, or doing something not work related.