The Student Union- Social Networking Dos and Don'ts

As several of you are applying to Internships, Scholarships, and Graduate Programs I wanted to share some information with you. You may have even heard it before but the sphere of influence  Facebook and other social networking websites is broadening on college and university campuses across the nation.  In my professional work, I've been advised to refer to Facebook when reviewing applications, making admissions decisions, to settle judicial matters, etc. It is essential for students to make sure their online presence is not conflicting or counterintuitive to their academic and professional goals. In other words, be on Facebook publicly slangin expletives, chugging from a Red Solo cup, grabbing your crotch, in your bra and panties with your middle finger in the air if you want to. But you won't get hired and you may even lose your housing, with your bad self. 

Below are some Do's and Don't to Social Networking that will ensure you constantly keep your best face forward. 

Do Utilize the privacy features. Facebook especially has extremely sophisticated means of protecting the content of your profile and photos. Learn about them and take advantage. If you're a member of your college's network then other member of that network will be able to view your page, photo's etc. without having to be your friend. Keep this in mind. You can set you page to monitor who has access to your profile and your contact information. You can even view your page as they see it to make sure that their is nothing compromising/personal made public.

Don't Turn off email notifications of tagged pictures, videos, notes etc. A lot of times, we may or may not be doing things that we ain't got no business doing and the paparazzi will have all our business in street. Also, sometimes we get tagged to pictures and videos that we don't have anything to do with just because somebody wants to make sure we see them. Tagged photos are the most accessible on your page, keep that in mind . When you receive notificaition that you've been tagged, check it out and make sure that you haven't been tagged in any inappropropriate of illegal photos and videos. . 

Do Be careful of personal emails and/or screen names. Especially if you're applying to internship, fellowship, and employment opportunities. Employers are checking Facebook pages nothing turns the off more then when they see that you can be reached at superheadgiver6969 on AIM or PimpDaddyHoesALot@yahoo.com. Nobody's judging you for those moniker if you choose to use them..  just giving you fair warning. 

Don't resort to block speak- I'm instantly drained when I'm bombarded with all types of code, broken english and slang. Spell out your numbers and for God's sake let's use complete sentences and live by the basic rules of punctuation and capitalization. 

Do you- If this is too much for you and you just think that college staff and employers are overstepping their bounds by viewing you profile you can disappear.  There's a way where you can't be found or searched for and can only be visible to those who you choose to befriend or those you've already approved. If you take advantage of this feature, when your name is searched you won't come up.  So it'll be like you never existed.

Don't Sleep on the Post- Facebook profiles have been submitted for evidence in US courtrooms across the country. The have led to the expulsion of the students and have even landed men and women in jail.  Don't believe me??? Check this out. http://www.usatoday.com/tech/webguide/internetlife/2008-07-19-facebook-trials_N.htm .

Those of you who know me and watch my videos know that I am a clown and every part of me loves to joke around and have a good time. But the sometimes defenseless pictures, quotes, videos, etc that are posted on your profile paint a picture of you, even if they are posted in joking manner. People can interpret that picture anyway that choose and make judgements of you. I just want to make sure that you are putting you best face forward at all times. The only way GlamNERDS do it. 

Until next time,

Tykeia

aka

TheGlamNERD