Is MySpace For Professionals?

MySpace is a social networking tool that allows users to find people who also have a MySpace account. Each user creates a profile, and within that profile the user can send other people messages, and leave them comments. You can also pick a mood, blog, instant message, and add music.  Check it out. It only takes a few minutes to set up an account, and users can customize their profile.

MySpace is mostly used by teenagers and college students, but some adults and professionals actually have a MySpace.

However, if you are a professional using MySpace, the key is to keep your MySpace profile professional as well.

Especially if you are like me, and in the middle of transitioning from being a student to a professional.

When I go to get hired, or interviewed, chances are they are going to see if I have anything vulgar on a MySpace or Facebook page.

They actually might even look at high school student's pages when applying for colleges. Be aware of that.

Teachers have gotten fired for having inappropriate personal photos of themselves available on their MySpace for the world to see.

Do you really think you can keep your teaching job if you post pictures of yourself doing drugs on MySpace?

In other cases, teachers have actually used MySpace to hook up with their own students! These students are minors! And their teacher does this?! Hello, professionals...what are we thinking?!! And don't post videos of yourself while drunk and dancing with your students!

I think that if you can use MySpace professionally, then you should use it.

If you can't...then stay the heck away from it.

 MySpace and social media sites in general are supposed to be a place to share photos, and stay in contact with people. But, these photos and messages should be appropriate.

Professionals need to realize that what they put on the web, everyone can view.

However, a lot of professionals don't take into consideration the fact that what they are posting could get them into trouble.

So should MySpace be used in a classroom then?

I would say maybe no.

I guess it could be used on a first day of class as an icebreaker by having everybody share their FaceBooks, and photos so that everybody can get to know each other. Yet at the same time, if there is stuff on there that shouldn't be shown in class, there is no way to know that, until the showing.

The Moral : If you don't want anyone to see it, don't post it on your MySpace.

Make sure what you have on the web is something you wouldn't mind having everyone look at.