My parents always tell me, “Once you put something on the Internet, it will never go away.” Not until I started looking for a job and was questioned about what my online persona says about me, did I realize the relevancy of that statement. Nowadays everyone is on social media, including moms, preachers, teachers – and most importantly the people you haven’t met yet. While Facebook and Twitter can be a helpful source of social networking, it can also be a wrecking ball to your reputation.

Even though we all know it’s generally accepted to drink in college, it’s still not something your future employer wants to see. To all the people that think they’re automatically safe because their profile is set to private, I say good luck to you my friend! Nothing is off limits these days. Google employees once posted that, “Your online identity is determined not only by what you post, but also by what others post about you.” Most of the time your first impression is your only impression, so how can you be sure that your personal life won’t get in the way of an opportunity? Though I can’t guarantee your success, I can help you build a better you…at least online.

The Google General Idea

• Stalk yourself! Google yourself and review what pops up. If you run across something you don’t want others to see, you can visit Google’s reputation management tool called Me on the Web. This handy little device helps you separate your online identity from your real one. It connects links from your Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn accounts to keep track.

LinkedIn

 1. A site made specifically to get ahead in job searching and make connections. There are still What Not To Do’s. LinkedIn experts say not to use status updates or post pictures. Another big one; Do Not list your Facebook or Twitter page as one of your 3 websites.

2. Select a profile photo that reflects the most responsible and professional side of you. It should be simple and clearly show your face. Note to self: the picture of you jumping into the ocean from spring break 2013 is not right for LinkedIn.

On to Facebook

1. Some people may think they’re sneaky by changing their name or the spelling of their name while job hunting, but Facebook is designed so you can search people by their email, school or network.

 2. Pictures say a thousand words. Look back through the 5,200 something tagged photos and pretend you are an employer. Judge and critique your every little move.

3. The Red Cup stigma, that little plastic red cup really does say it all, without saying anything. Even though you may only be drinking Grandma’s famous sweet tea, everyone else assumes your drinking alcohol. It’s just engraved in our brains at this point. So, DELETE!

4. Once you’ve gone through and deleted any and all incriminating pictures, it’s time to check that status update a year ago where you subtly called your ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend a bitch. It’s time to grow up and get rid of all the comments referring to drinking, drugging and dissing.

5. Check your About section and make sure it shows only the best side of you. Be cautious of posting strong political beliefs or commentary. Stick to being short, simple and direct, they don’t need to know your opinion on every little thing.

Twitter / Instagram

 Considering the only thing you can do on these 2 sites is upload statuses and pictures this should be considerably easy, right? Not necessarily.

1. Once again, drinking and saying you’re hung-over doesn’t make you seem like a handworker. Also, get rid of all offensive language and by this I mean curse words, sexual innuendos and drinking.

2. Retweets aren’t off limits, be careful what you retweet because it still reflects you.

3. Debating what tweets to delete can be hard. It’s obvious you shouldn’t talk about getting plastered or doing drugs but what about the tweets that say “I’m such a procrastinator” or “I hate work”. These don’t help you either. No one wants a lazy, procrastinator working for them, so in the future try to talk about all the good things you’re doing and how hard you work!

Blogs/Tumblr

• Blogs are a great way to show off your writing skills, and a convenient, in your face way to voice your opinions. Just know that each post is a reflection of you. If you are looking for a career where strong opinions are valued, than a personal account can help an employer see the passion and thought process behind your choices. If extreme opinions are not as welcome, keep post topics related to your career or generalities. Tumblr, probably the most popular blog site, is particular in their privacy settings. Unlike most other sites, you are not allowed to make your default blog account private. A way to get around this is to make a second blog a password protected blog account and post your sassy opinions there.

Some of these instructions may seem harsh, and that’s because it’s meant to be. Many bosses consistently check Facebook under a pseudonym to make sure employees are in line. You may never know who’s looking at your sites, but you can control what they see. It’s the 21st century; online personas can be what makes us or breaks us.

Problem: USC is expanding its current tobacco policy to make campus completely tobacco-free. The current policy prohibits the use of tobacco products within 25 feet of university-owned and –leased buildings, vehicles and other property. The proposed policy change is an expansion to a blanket ‘campus-free’ tobacco policy.

Pro Tobacco Ban

By: Grace Kerley

The Carolinian Creed outlines standards that all students should strive to follow in order to maintain an environment of dignity and harmony. The current tobacco policy violates this because students that use tobacco on campus are disrespecting the rights and property of others. Personal property includes one’s body, and those who choose to smoke on campus are disrespecting our bodies.

The current tobacco policy requires that students smoke 25 feet away from all University of South Carolina buildings. Besides the fact that very few smokers in the Carolina community follow this rule, the policy needs to be changed because it is not the buildings that are being harmed by tobacco users, but peers who face the long-term consequences of secondhand smoke.

Tobacco use on our campus needs to be banned because the current policy contradicts the very doctrine that binds our community. When students are called into question about their academic integrity, professors and faculty often reference the Carolinian Creed. Why is it that student smokers are given a pass to break the rules?       We don’t need to change the current tobacco policy because we’re tired of sitting next to people in class that reek of smoke. We need to change it because the only way we will grow as a university is by challenging every member of the Carolina community to not only follow the Carolinian Creed, but to respect it and make sure other students do as well.

Con Tobacco Ban

By: Joybelle Barlow

As a student who doesn’t smoke, my first thoughts regarding the tobacco ban revolved around the thought, “Who cares?” I certainly don’t. Smoking on campus has never bothered or affected me, and in fact, I hardly ever notice it. Taking a closer look though, this ban isn’t just going to affect those who use tobacco. It will take a toll on all USC students, faculty and staff, and perhaps the community as a whole.

1.) In order to enforce this university-wide tobacco ban, USC police will be on foot, patrolling campus looking for the use of tobacco products. So, if you love seeing police throughout the day, this ban is perfect for you.

2.) Tobacco is legal for people 18 or older. Why can’t people who are of age be allowed to consume a product they have every right to? It is a matter of personal liberty to use a legal substance as long as you don’t affect other people. Essentially, the ban is an infringement of personal rights based on people’s personal beliefs.

3.) The tobacco ban will change our current policy of being 25 feet away from university owned or leased buildings to a blank campus-wide smoke-free policy which bans all forms of tobacco. One of the objectives of this change is to get rid of second hand smoke. However, chewing tobacco, which doesn't even affect bystanders, would be banned under this tobacco-free policy. As products such as chewing tobacco are subject to free will, how is eliminating tobacco products that don't even affect bystanders relevant?

The fact of the matter is that we have it correct to start with. The current policy is enough and trying to ban all tobacco products might cause more problems than solutions. Anyone on campus, regardless of being a student or visitor, would have to adhere to the tobacco ban under the watch of police patrolling the campus. Why fix what isn’t broken?

I was doing my usual before-bed-twitter browse the other night when I came across an article tweeted, “Why Did Men Stop Wearing Heels?” The title itself caught my attention, as my first thought was, “Why were men wearing heels in the first place…?”  The article was about how in 18^th century France, heels were a symbol of wealth and status for men, until they were banned by Napoleon because he was frustrated with the idea that no matter how high his heels were he was still the shortest at every party.  I made up that part, but I digress. I remembered reading an article in the New York Times last year about men in their 20’s, living in New York City, who envied women and their wide variety of clothing options available to wear.  So, what’s better than having guys wearing 5-inch heels to clubs in the city?!  Exactly what they did.  Are guys in South Carolina about to start strutting around in heels at night, fighting the blisters and whispering to their friends, “You can do it, beauty is painful,” as they walk to Pavs?  I decided to weigh the pros and cons of this situation.

Pros:  As a girl who stands 5’10’’ barefoot, I would very much appreciate not being taller than three-quarters of the guys at a bar, and would therefore praise the idea of guys in heels.  Also, heels would break the monotony of a typical SC’s guy’s outfit of khakis and a Ralph Lauren button down.  Guys, if this description has offended you in any way, and the idea of heels repulses you, then go buy yourself a fedora.

Cons:  If I saw a guy walk into a bar flashing his red sole Louboutins, I would be enraged with jealousy because they should be on MY feet, not his.  Also, heels are supposed to make a woman’s figure look more attractive and elongated, and I don't see heels having the same affect on guys wearing shorts and a frat tee.

Let’s keep men wearing heels in NYC. As for you guys in Columbia, don’t worry about being taller; I suggest mixing up your strictly preppy wardrobe instead. You can do it, I have faith.

Image Source: http://essentricshoe.com/style/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6:real-men-wearhigh-heels

Okay, how many times do you log into Facebook or Twitter and see a diary-like status update from an attention-seeking individual.  TOO MANY TIMES.  Last time I checked, these sites are public and therefore, so is the content chosen to share.  WHY would anyone want to share personal thoughts or opinions regarding something that gives them a reputation of the following:

-insecure

-revenge-seeking

-pathetically-bored

-someone you cannot trust to be mature with your own feelings

Not-so-secret-anymore diary content generally places the sharer into one of the following categories that tarnishes his or her reputation within his or her social media community, which is already full of superficial and actual friends.  

Here's the thing, if you're upset or unhappy, take it up with the source whose causing you the personal anguish directly, not by releasing a social media post you hope will be seen by a specific person.  If you want the respect or attention your status is screaming to your social media public, you won't obtain it by that indirect and immature approach.  

Not only does it tarnish your personal present reputation amongst a semi-fake community of friends, but what about your future and potential employers that come across it?  Chances are if any content in a status promotes an individual's reputation as immature, he or she will not receive the job desired, solely on the fact that NO ONE wants to hire somebody who publically vents their feelings and comes off as a potential liability.

So take some advice from an extremely tired Facebook newsfeed viewer, keep the thoughts on paper, not in cyberspace.

Image Source: http://weknowmemes.com/2012/01/its-a-status-not-your-diary/

Men of the Moment: Check out our #FF list

You may or may not have seen the news lately, but in regard to drug cartel denouncers, sh*t is getting real in Mexico. The main forms of protest? Twitter, a news organization called Al Rojo Vivo, and a blog called Blog del Narco; all of which allow users to post or submit photos and videos of what's going on in their area.

The thing is, many people post information online anonymously, so it’s hard to believe that the individuals who were hung from a bridge in Nuevo Laredo were actually the intended, or rather, correct targets the drug organizations were seeking. There was a message left at the scene saying that other people “posting funny things on the internet” would receive a similar fate, but can these people actually be found?  When it comes down to it, do the deaths of potentially innocent individuals become the responsibility of those speaking out against the drug lords?

At this point, one person who spoke with CNN and is a user on the Al Rojo Vivo forums believes that the denouncements should continue. He contributes this to the difficulty in tracing a post back to a specific person. But does anonymity really matter when a person who may or may not have been the actual Twitter user is pulled from the street and killed? There are scores of internet trolls here in America. If you go to any website with a forum, public or private, you're bound to find a few. The difference is that here in America, trolling seems to be viewed as a fun pastime (perhaps even an art form with enough finesse).

I’m not saying that people should stop exposing violence publicly or speaking against these organizations. However, homicides aided by social media are not a new trend. Last year, three Colombian teens aged 16, 17 and 19 were killed after being put on a Facebook hit list.

But how quickly and fundamentally would society change if people were killed for things they have no control over, specifically, for the kid creating infective type in his mom's basement. It would be interesting, yet, perhaps scary, if people were held accountable for the things they did even on the internet.