Social Media; To Post or Not To Post? by Wilson

Social Media; To Post or Not To Post? by Wilson - April 2016 Scholarship Essay

In the last 20 years, the internet has completely revolutionized the way humans socialize, work, and live. Like any development in human history, there are progressions and regressions; there are always good and evil uses for technology. With social media, users have both won elections and been kidnapped. Social media, then, can be viewed as an ocean: savage and treacherous, yet a means of communication and trade. With social media in the 21st century, it’s sink or swim.
The main difference in between the anchors and the swimmers on the internet is defined by how they use it. Some stay on Facebook to play games and catch up with friends. Some are on Twitter to keep up with news and sports. Some are on Instagram to share important moments of their lives. The internet users who are able to use their social media to build themselves socially and professionally use social media with class.
We all know that there are extremely negative things to be found on the internet; sharks in the ocean, if you will. Curse words, pornography, and other ugly things can have your name attached to it with a swipe of the finger. Now, what does it say about a young person when they associate with all the filth of the web, publicly, on social media?
It screams to the employer, “Hey! I’m unprofessional and unconcerned with my reputation.” Not exactly cover letter material. On a serious note, the last thing that an employer wants is an employee who will tarnish the reputation of their organization. Also, if a young person can not be trusted to be responsible and classy behind a screen, how much more irresponsible will they be in the workplace? It’s a risk that most are not willing to take.
What makes the pitfalls of social media even more frightening is its perpetual nature. That post on Facebook I made 4 years ago about how excited I was to go to church camp is still floating around in the infinite mass of the internet somewhere, ready to be accessed at any moment. Fortunately, my parents were diligent in guiding me in social media, so I haven’t made any crucial blunders. However, I must think before I post, “Would I be comfortable with this being permanently available to every stranger?”
With the internet, a completely new venue for markets and industry, there are several jobs available for tech-savvy millennials. A friend of mine recently received an internship and job offer to tweet for Taco Bell. Seriously! They pay a young man with stubble on his chin six digits and give him a password. In all seriousness, social media is an exciting and promising field for marketing. By showing good taste and skill in social media, a young person like me can easily make a career by doing what they love.
In addition to using social media to market products, there are also several ways to market yourself. By advertising that you are looking for a job, employers may come and find you or friends will help point you in the right direction. As a personal example, my mother posted a status about my interest in attending a service academy. As a result, the campaign manager of one of my senators reached out to us and helped me receive a congressional nomination.
This is only a simple example of what social media can do. Connections and friendships have always been a good way of finding employment, but social media has provided a way to keep those connections strong and useful.
The bottom line is, be careful on social media. It may help you get a job someday, but not if your pictures from last year’s trip to Las Vegas end up on Twitter.