ChickSpeak

I was watching Good Morning America a couple days ago and there was a “college prep” piece on roommates - specifically about getting to know (or rather getting information on) your new college roommate before school starts.  In the old days, we just picked up the phone and gave each other a ring.  Nowadays, you will most likely find your new co-habitant on either MySpace or FaceBook or some other on-line community.  That’s just what this mother did for her daughter’s proposed roommate.  She dug her up on FaceBook and did not like what she saw! Apparently this young lady had chronicled lude behavior (drinking, wild partying, etc.) on her FaceBook page and the mother did not want her daughter living with her.  So much so, the woman printed out over 40 pages of the girls site content, marched it right over to university housing, and demanded a transfer!  While I completely understand this mother’s point, I do think that was a tad bit over the top.  After all, we shouldn’t judge a FaceBook by its cover.  However, your online community content puts you on everlasting “blast” and could cost you more than just a potential roommate.

MySpace, FaceBook, YouTube, etc. is fun to participate in and we all get a kick out of some of the shocking (or not so shocking) things we see.  But we need to be smart!  We post comments, pictures, and videos without any thought of what those things will do or will not do for our future.  At the time, you are living in the moment of the fun you were having and have not one concern that this could be damaging later on.  Sure, it was a harmless picture of you with a bottle of beer.  The mother of your future college roommate has now blackballed you by dropping the entire content of your MySpace on the lap of the Dean of Students.  Sure, it was just one itty-bitty wet t-shirt contest while on vacation in Jamaica celebrating your graduation from college, and you even wore your bra (unlike your friends).  The Vice President of Marketing just denied your job application despite you graduating near the top of your class and your stellar performance during your internships. She “Googled” you before she made her final decision and guess what YouTube video popped up?

You’re absolutely right, it’s spectacularly unfair, but true nonetheless.  Like it or not, someday you’re gonna get Googled!  Sad to say, many people are not going to take the time to get to know you before they pass judgment.  They are not going to analyze what they saw and say “oh she was young and just having fun” or “that was years ago and I’m sure she has changed”.  What they see is what YOU get!  It’s up to you to determine what exactly that will be.  I am not at all against these sites and online communities.  They can be quite useful if used wisely.  (Like the one you are reading right now!)  I am not saying you should not post the “real you”.  I am just suggesting you be smart about it.  Think about your future and where you plan to be once you enter the “real world”.  Do you want to be remembered and regarded as the “drunk girl dancing on the table” or the “fun girl who does well and has respect for herself”.  Your choice.  Google yourself and see what you find.  Take a good look at your community pages and view them as if you were someone’s mother or a potential boss looking for new talent.  Revise as needed and as necessary.  Don’t forget to check the pages of your friends as well.  Ask them to politely remove any potentially harmful content and, hey,  you can do the same for them.  In the end it is all about you and the foot you put forward. I am positive you would like it to be your best!