I was reading an article today about the proper way to use facebook as it applied to work and school. It covered how you deal with what you post on facebook and your employer/teachers, and whether or not you should friend anyone in an authority position over you. I thought the answers should be pretty evident, but looking at some of the advice they gave, apparently not. Now, what makes me better suited to give advice over this subject than the yahoo that wrote the article? Well, as anyone who reads this probably knows, I'm quite the expert on what you shouldn't say. Hell, at least 50% of the crap that comes out of my face is inappropriate, sometimes because I don't know better (and by that I mean I don't care), and the rest just trying to get a rise out of someone.
The first piece of advice they gave...it's ok to friend a professor or employer if they're ok with it.
Wrong...just...wrong. If you're going to do this, at least have the common sense to create a new account just for this purpose. Giving someone that has a little power over you access to all of your stupid shit, as well as your friend's stupid shit, is just...well, stupid. I don't care how "cool" the person in question is, or how hard you try to censor yourself, one little slip from you or a friend about that one time at band camp, and you can kiss your standing with the prof/boss goodbye. There is absolutely nothing to gain from giving someone in this position access to your personal life.
The second thing they said, giving them insight into your personal life can be a benefit, showing that you have more in common as people. Best case scenario? You have a perfect facebook page and it confirms what they already thought about you. Realistic scenario? One of your asshole friends posts the picture of you wearing the stuffed moosehead as a hat while you do the electric slide in a purple speedo. Just...no. Don't ever ever ever ever give people access to this.
Now I'm not saying you can't be friends with a teacher or boss. I am. One of my old high school teachers is a facebook friend. As you get older I think it's only natural. The age difference seems to melt away, you have more in common than you possibly could have at the time you were in the class. You realize that it's someone you look up to, or they had much more of an impact on your life than you could appreciate at the time. I have another professor right now that also fits all of those traits. I honestly hope to be friends with her well after I have graduated. For now though, hell no she isn't looking at my facebook page.
Getting too personal at this point is bad for me, and bad for her. It could affect my grades, my reputation with other teachers, even getting accepting into the nursing program. For her it could affect her job. Not that I'd do anything to hurt her, but if someone else saw us talking casually as a problem you never know. People jump to conclusions way too fast to even take a chance.
In essence, use facebook for what it is. A casual place to chat with friends, share stupid jokes/stories, and keep in touch with those that live far away. It's not a business networking site, it's not an educational site, it's a timekiller and nothing more.
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