Students attend college to become educated, build friendships, and venture out into the world feeling confident and equipped with the skills a company will be impressed to review on a resume.
Unfortunately, a number of Oklahoma University students were recorded reciting racist comments, costing the students more than their Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity expulsion and a scolding from the president of the university. In the corporate world, employees are expected to be ambassadors of their company. I feel certain that OU and SAE expected the same respect and consideration from their student representatives.
Their behavior will be forever imprinted on the web, where future employers can readily gain access to their actions with little effort. Clearly the point is not about being caught, but having the good sense and solid judgment to NOT participate in archaic racist banter in the first place. This lack of common sense could have happened at any school, inside any fraternity, or in a myriad of circumstances. It's every individual's choice to understand that decisions, good or bad, can have long term implications.
The effects of social media are never more than a click away and everything you do can potentially be captured for the entire world to see.
Social Media Etiquette for College Students and Young Professionals:
- Determine how you want to be perceived on Facebook, Twitter, and all social media outlets. Like it or not, your communication becomes a strong part of your overall image. Recognize this as an opportunity to set yourself apart as a person with integrity.
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