Is Social Media A Skill?
Start writing a post
Student Life

Is Social Media A Skill?

The new asset employers are looking for.

233
Is Social Media A Skill?
Shutterstock

10 years ago, the concept of social media didn't exist. Our internet communication consisted of emails, instant messaging, and crudely decorated MySpace pages. People were still using flip phones. Only the coolest kids and the most tech-savvy adults had phones with actual keyboards. Even then, you had to pay an astronomical amount of money to access the internet for a few minutes. We lived our own lives without constantly monitoring the lives of everyone around us.

The creation of social media allowed us to check up on all of our friends simultaneously, without having to individually text, call, or email someone. Social media sparked the desire to know what everyone was doing at any given time of day and to let the world know what you were doing. But as we started to get more involved in social media, we became more aware of our presence on it. The line between private and public lives became blurred. In order to protect some of our sense of self, we would filter what we posted. Double-checking a tweet to make sure it was funny enough, editing our pictures so they portrayed us in the best light.

I could sit around and discuss all the positive and negative ways social media can affect your self-confidence all day. But what it really boils down to is branding. In essence, your social media account is very similar to an advertisement on TV. Think about it -- we all want to portray ourselves a certain way. In the same way you pick out clothes to show off your personal style, you cultivate your social media accounts to send a certain message. Commercials for sportswear try to convince you that wearing their clothes will make you fit. You post nature pictures to convince people that you are adventurous, or tweet humorous things to convince people that you are funny. We all tailor our accounts to provoke a certain response. You might not want to admit it, but I will -- I feel better about myself when a tweet gets a lot of retweets, or when a lot of people share my articles on Facebook. We all want to be noticed.

And this is exactly what a business wants. For you, more followers means self validation, a little confidence boost. For a business, more followers means more attention, which in turn leads to more customers and more money. Sure, adults have social media accounts. They comment all over your posts and like all of your friends' pictures. However, just because someone can use social media doesn't mean they're good at it, or that they understand it. That's where we come in.

We are young enough that we adapt quickly to change. We keep up on trends. We understand technology. Technology has changed the way that we communicate, and social media can be used as a cheap and easy tool to reach customers. It can be used to communicate with customers efficiently, but it can also be used as another platform. Companies want young employees that can help them establish a fan base on social media. They need employees that can help the brand evolve and reach more customers. Utilizing social media properly helps a business to get maximum exposure, the same way you time your social media posts for the most views and interactions. Adults just aren't as good at keeping up on the trends. Businesses need employees that can navigate rising trends and ride the wave to success.

Social media is a great way for businesses to gain more traction, but it can also be used get yourself noticed. Social media is important enough to employers that many experts say it should be included on your resume. So when your parents yell at you for spending too much time on Twitter instead of doing your homework, you can tell them that you're honing your skills for your next job interview.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

14734
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

944830
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

121925
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lots of people sat on the cinema wearing 3D glasses
Pinterest

Ever wonder what your friend meant when they started babbling about you taking their stapler? Or how whenever you ask your friend for a favor they respond with "As You Wish?" Are you looking for new and creative ways to insult your friends?

Well, look no further. Here is a list of 70 of the most quotable movies of all time. Here you will find answers to your questions along with a multitude of other things such as; new insults for your friends, interesting characters, fantastic story lines, and of course quotes to log into your mind for future use.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments