Facebook, Science, Business & Professionalism

Image Source: Google.com/images and
their source was from Forbes.com

Since Mark Zuckerberg started Facebook, with three of his friends, in 2004 it has grown to become the largest social media tool used by the vast majority of the world. Over 800 MILLION people use Facebook to stay in contact with friends, family, employers, coworkers, clubs and much, much more.Zuckerberg created Facebook originally for use just around campus, like we use it today, but it quickly caught on and he slowly started to expand Facebook outside the Harvard campus. Anyone can sign up for Facebook, permitting they agree to the terms and declare that they are over the age of 13. Photos from anywhere, of anyone, can be added as the user pleases and they can also post about anything they choose. Not everyone has discretion when it comes to what should and shouldn't be posted on Facebook though.

Personal Screen Shot of my Facebook Page

Yes, Facebook can be used as a communication tool between people the users know, but it also can act like a reference for future employers. Despite high profile security settings, there is always a way to see what people are hiding behind the lock and key. Often times an employer knows someone that is friends with the applicant and it takes a simple engine to find your page and start learning. I personally have my security settings set to the highest possible, but I am also very conscientious about what gets posted to Facebook with my name attached to it. One of the tools Facebook offers is the ability to make a separate page from your profile; it is sort of similar to Google docs but it has the functions to personalize it a bit more than a normal Google doc. To the right is a screen shot of the page I made separate from my profile but with the same account. My page contains information about myself, past employers, volunteer experience, and any interests that would be relevant to employers who would be hiring me in the future.

The demographic of Facebook users ranges widely from Jr.High students to Powerful and well known politicians and corporations. This social media tool is a great way to get advertising out to the public, as well as keep the public informed of upcoming dates and activities that are going on in their communities. For large corporations you can almost be guaranteed that if and when you apply for a job with them, you will be searched on Facebook at some point before you get hired. If you are lucky enough to not be "crept" during the hiring process, you can count on them searching you at least once while you are employed with the company. As explained in this article, there is a level of professionalism that needs to be maintained, but at the same time, what is wrong with 'being real'? Facebook offers lots of great tools for both our social lives and our professional lives, but we all need to keep in mind that we can only be so safe when sharing our information on the WWW because if someone wants to find dirt on you, they will.


For the time being, don't drive yourself nutty about changing your profile settings to ultra security; don't go deleting those pictures of you holding a beer at the local pub with friends, and don't go deleting the people you have barely talked to because your being paranoid; just be mindful of what your next status is going to be about.

Until next time,
Kelsie