When I evaluate my digital footprint and really think of the consequences of the material out their, I don't worry, but I am thinking more towards the future of how to regulate that more effectively.
My last name was changed when we came to the United States in 1654. So, their are literally only 40 people on the planet with the same last name and they are all immediate family. So when it comes to tracking me down, its pretty easy, but in reflecting on what material is up, I'm not too concerned about the present situation since their isn't anything too too controversial.
Facebook seems incredible to me, because of how much you can find in one place about someones lifestyle. It truly is almost scary how much someone can learn about your daily life from one simple page. When I critically look at my life on Facebook, it needs a little bit more editing to ensure that I'm presenting myself in the proper light. Their isn't anything crazy crazy, but you never know what is going to limit your options in the future; never really sure of what is going to be offensive to someone in another country given their cultural background; and their always needs to be steps to moderate someones life being published online.
When we think of the future and getting a job on a global frontier, professionalism has expanded to include the interview, the work place and your internet prescience. Since this is the age of information, tracking and data collection; professional behavior seems to stem into the digital world now as well.
I think I should start dressing nicer.
Interesting that your last name was changed. I'm curious about the story. A similar thing happened in my family.
ReplyDeleteI actually order my basketball/ball hockey shoes from a company called Ektio (the shoes have built in ankle support). Seriously, the best basketball shoes I've ever worn. I was in contact with a guy that worked pretty high up in the company for a while. His name was Jon Katz. Any relation?
DeleteI like your comment regarding what might be acceptable online content in one culture might not necessarily be acceptable in another culture. I think it would be tough sometimes to think in those terms about your own online content and what is "safe" content. One feature I like in Facebook is like the "moderate" function in Blogger. Whenever someone tags you or writes something on your wall, you have to give permission before it is posted. That way, it prevents old or weird acquaintances who suddenly come out of the woodwork from posting anything too unsightly about you.
ReplyDeleteYour name could be the key to easy professional exposure to the world. My name is quite common, so it's a little more difficult to search for me. I, too, am in need of a little more editing on my Facebook page. I'm sure most of us could use a little editing on Facebook. Like you said, there's nothing terrible on there but I do want to present myself professionally. I think if I tweak the settings a bit it may help prevent it from getting any worse and that's any easy start.
ReplyDeleteI'm kind of in the same boat. There's nothing too crazy out there with me either, but what I see as "no big deal" another person might see as offensive. It kind of scares me.
ReplyDeleteAnother issue for me is where does professionalism start creeping into the territory of being untrue to who you are? Do I want to have to put on a mask to go to work? If I'm out partying with the hockey guys and someone goes to take a picture of me, do I stop them and say, "Whoa, no pictures!!" You kind of have to ask yourself questions like, "If this employer is offended by a picture of me with a beer in my hand, do I really want to work for them?" I'm struggling a bit about what information I should limit or not. I guess, it depends on the job or the field I'm working in. As teachers, especially if we're teaching young kids, we're under a pretty big microscope and it's important for both you and your school to uphold a pretty clean image. Nobody wants their children taught by a pot smoking alcoholic...despite much of the world's creative genius coming from an "altered" state of mind!