The digital age giveth and the digital age taketh away

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I never cease to be amazed how ignorant certain people can be (and I’m not even referring to the currentDrunk
occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue).

Ever since Web 2.0 debuted and powerhouse sites like Facebook and MySpace became all the rage, we’ve seen, heard and read about images and reputations being ruined because of indiscreet postings.

And, yet, college kids continue to do irreparable damage to themselves. The latest example is a group of party-hardy co-eds who not only post photographs and videos of themselves vomiting and urinating in public, but also publish their names and colleges affiliations. And, when confronted, these young women actually defend their activities.

Facebook’s ‘Thirty reasons girls should call it a night’ has every drunken and debauched antic captured for one and all to see. And, the featured co-eds think it’s cool (‘It’s just something fun to do,’ said one. ‘You need to be able to laugh at yourself.’).

What don’t these young women get about the web? Do they not realize future employers will check the sites? Do they not realize they’re doing themselves irreparable harm?

Finding the ideal job can be a daunting challenge for
any new or soon-to-be graduate. So, just imagine trying to justify one
of these Facebook postings in an interview…

Employer: ‘So, tell me Jane, what were you thinking when
you posted this photo of you lying in the fetal position next to a
toilet?’

Jane: ‘Oh that. I know how to separate work and personal time, and I
have no intentions of being wrapped around a toilet at work.’ (Actual
quote)

Employer: ‘Thanks Jane. Don’t call us. We’ll call you.’

The digital age giveth and the digital age taketh away. College kids be warned: the brand you destroy may very well be your own.

Thanks to Dandy Stevenson for the idea.

2 thoughts on “The digital age giveth and the digital age taketh away”

  1. Not to worry, Ashley. No one will find you guilty until proven innocent. Keep doing the right things and you’ll land your ideal job. Sadly, neither you nor I can change the behavior of others. The MySpace/Facebook party animals will pay a big price down the road.

  2. I attended your session on writing at this year’s PRSSA conference and enjoyed what you had to say, but I also wish you would of had the time to include how social media/networking can affect getting your first job. These are my peers that I see doing this to themselves (and their reputation) and I don’t know whether to laugh or be embarrassed–they are making it easier for me to get a job, but at the same time, are giving my age group a tainted image. I don’t want to think that every employer I apply to is expecting to find some “juicy” info or pictures on my Facebook or MySpace page. And then if they don’t find something, does that give me bonus points in the interview?