The pitfalls of creating and maintaining a blog or facebook account are serious enough to make me carefully consider what I post on the web, but not enough to make me want to stop posting altogether. I understand the risks associated with posting on the internet, because everything there is universally and publically available to read with no guaranteed privacy whatsoever. My friend posted a story, which was based on a real person, on her blog, which she thought only her friends read. However, later that week, she received an email from the person who was the subject of her story. She didn’t know how he was able to get her email, and although she didn’t post any fallacies, the subject of the post felt a need to correct how the story portrayed his character, and he was able to track her down and communicate this with her. She did amend her blog, and this experience illustrates to me how every post I make has potential repercussions, both for me and the subject of my posts.
At this stage in my life, I’m not worried that employers will judge me based on my internet page, because I won’t be applying for a professional job for a couple of years yet and I use common sense when I post. I believe that employers will not judge my character based on what I posted in my facebook 4 years ago. The pertinent information employers are looking for would be the information currently posted in my facebook account or on my blog. While it is only logical to watch what I say on the internet, I won’t be grooming my facebook account for employers to see until the time comes.
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5 comments:
wow Molly - great story about your friend! Sorta spooky; I have another story like this, about a student in this class, from a previous semester.
That's awesome you really understood the readings just from personal experience. It was freaky enough reading about it from an article; but from a peer, it just hits you on so many different, scarier levels. I have a question for you though. Did you ever look up your account and privacy settings and changed them, if you hadn't already? I know I did!
I really like your point that you are not applying to professional school for a couple years so you really don't need to worry about it now, yet you still understand that information you put on the internet can be seen by anyone. Good point.
I wouldn’t be so sure about employers not caring about what you posted 4 years ago. Its not entirely fair, but often times, employers have many applicants to look through, and finding a reason to dismiss someone from the running is often very welcome. I am not saying all employers do this, but the risk is there and I would advise that you do your best to try and not leave a trail back to something in your past that might hurt you in the present.
so many of my friends are terrified that they are not going to be admitted into schools or employed because they post a picture of them having fun (and i don't mean illegal activity -- i mean that they are at a place like putt putt). though i tell them that such posts would not hurt them in any way, they still don't believe me. it's really nice to see other people with the same viewpoint as i on this issue.
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