Use social media carefully

I recently received a note from an alum who had viewed a film clip on YouTube he found to be offensive. This video, which was clearly filmed in a dorm at Norwich by several Cadets – some of whom are now alums – was grossly inappropriate. For anyone in the U.S. military the content was potentially career threatening. The alum justifiably felt that this video was a poor reflection on Norwich University and our students.

The three students involved in creating and posting the video were located. They were apologetic, and the film was immediately removed from the site.

This incident raises the critical issue of posting inappropriate material on YouTube, as well as social networks such as Facebook, MySpace and Twitter.

We live in an age where social networking plays a prominent role in the lives of college students. Certainly social networks have benefits. A social networking site can be a positive way to make connections with people with similar interests and goals or to "meet" people that you might not have had an opportunity to meet before – including other students, staff, faculty and alumni. In addition, staying connected with high school classmates and hometown friends is a major benefit of social networking sites.

But social networks should be used responsibly. You need to consider your future; specifically your career. You also do not want to tarnish Norwich's reputation which has taken 191 years to establish.

Forty-five percent of employers reported in a June 2009 CareerBuilder survey that they use social networking sites to screen potential employees. This number increased from 22 percent of employers the previous year. Many of the other managers who participated in the survey said they plan to start using social networking sites for their screening process in the future.

Of those who conduct online searches and background checks of job candidates, 29 percent use Facebook, 26 percent use LinkedIn and 21 percent use MySpace. Eleven percent search blogs and 7 percent follow candidates on Twitter.

A recent National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) survey of its members determined that 60 percent of the employers who review social networking sites said that the information they find in these places has at least some influence on their hiring decisions.

The best advice is to use common sense. Think about who might one day be looking at your photos and messages. Follow the adage that says, "Don't post anything online that you wouldn't want your parents to see." Use social networks as tools. Use them responsibly. It is not an exaggeration that your future success may depend on it.