Social Media and Professionalism

Introduction

Social media has become a common household term, with the start of the website called Six Degrees in 1997, followed by many others, including LinkedIn in 2002 and Facebook in 2004 (IAS, 2017; ACL, 2017). In 2009, Smith wrote about web use shifting to focus on the use of social media sites, which “are the tip of a redefinition of how the internet works, with every site now incorporating the features that allow users to publish opinions, connect, build community, or produce and share content” (p. 559). This idea is still prominent, if not more so, with current web use. Social media was once a novelty, and it is now a staple for many across the world. It has allowed many of global, diverse backgrounds to connect in new ways. According to the Pew Research Center’s data from 2021 adult Americans were surveyed and it was found that seven out of ten use social media to connect (Pew, 2021). As of 2022, there are more than 3.2 billion social media users worldwide, and that number is constantly growing (Maryville University, 2022; Geyser, 2022).

Think of the ten people closest to you. How many of them use social media? How many of them use social media as a main form of connection? How many of them are connected to you through social media? Are there diverse demographics among those you know that use social media?

Social media is a prime way that people connect, seek entertainment, keep up with others, develop relationships, and make money (Kakkar, 2020, SEOpressor, 2022). In the past decade the growth of social media has been tremendous, and it has had an impact on professionalism. In fact, in 2005 only 5% of American adults surveyed reported using social media compared to 72% in 2021 (Pew, 2021). Although social media is used both personally and professionally, both uses can impact a professional. It also can help people connect with diverse populations they may otherwise not have had the opportunity to connect with. In fact, the use of technology is considered an important part of career readiness which is defined as “a foundation from which to demonstrate requisite core competencies that broadly prepare the college educated for success in the workplace and lifelong career management” (NACE, 2021, p. 1). The use of technology and social media go hand in hand to help with career readiness. The use of social media, both personally and professionally, can make a positive impact on an individual’s professionalism if used correctly. This stems from what information is shared, and what information others can see. This chapter will explore what social media is, types of social media, the professional use of social media, benefits of social media, challenges of social media, and strategies to remain professional while using social media.

To begin, ask yourself: How many forms of social media do I use daily? How many social media accounts do I have? Do I get my news from social media? What diverse populations or ideas do I interact with through social media? Is the news I learn from social media credible and valid? Can anyone view my social media accounts? Is there anything I have shared that I would not want an employer to see? How do I demonstrate professionalism through my social media? How do I consider diversity when using social media? These questions will be helpful to explore the topic and make it personal to your own experience as a professional using social media. The impact that social media has had on professionals continues to grow and change, just as the term social media has grown and changed.