As a millennial, I am used to hearing comments about how social media is destroying the world. It encourages instant gratification, it diminishes human contact, thrives on vanity and self-centeredness, etc. But despite all of these claims, social media usage is only growing. According to the Pew Research Center, 90% of young adults aged 18-29 use some form of social media, compared to 12% in 2005. Young adults aren’t the only demographic rising either. 35% of adults 65 and older use social media, compared to a mere 2% ten years ago. And while there are some negative consequences to using social media regularly, there are some incredible benefits as well. In fact, I argue that regular use of social media develops skills that are desirable in today’s ever-changing job market.

For starters, as social media use has increased, the line between personal and professional life has become blurred. Regardless if this is right or not, it is true. With so much information online, it is nearly impossible to be anonymous. Employers can look at potential candidates social media accounts and determine whether that individual could be a liability if associated with their company. There are already several documented cases of individuals being fired due to posts made on social media. Knowing what information about you can and cannot be accessed and how to establish privacy online is crucial for anyone seeking a job.

On the other hand, having a large following on social media could be a great asset to an employer. A large following means an individual has a very wide influence on others, and companies want their services to be seen by as many people as possible, in the most positive way. Between my four most-used social media platforms, I have a total of 6,238 people that I can influence at any time. While this figure doesn’t take into account people following me on multiple platforms, it is a significant number. I can affect thousands either positively or negatively- which could make an impact on potential employers. Though my brother, an aspiring filmmaker, is only sixteen, his following on YouTube has led to multiple opportunities to promote and improve his work. Having a large following also increases accountability, as individuals are less likely to make potentially risky posts when they know how many people are listening.

Aside from the broad risks and rewards of maintaining social media accounts, each specific platform fosters skills that could improve chances in the job market, regardless of profession.

Facebook:

Facebook is all about connections and communication. How many people do you know, and from how many different backgrounds? After that, how do you get from the people you know to the people you need to know? If any platform teaches networking, it’s Facebook.

Twitter:

Twitter’s constant stream of information requires the ability to filter and discern the most pertinent details. Can you condense important information into a short format? Can you identify trends and their causes? Twitter challenges users to follow events as they happen and put the right information out at the right time.

Instagram:

A picture is worth a thousand words, but which one will best represent a person, event, or product? Can you tag an image so that others will be able to find it easily in a sea of similar photos? Proficiency in Instagram indicates the ability to work in a variety of mediums and attract a target audience.

Tumblr/Other Blogging Platforms:

In the age of Buzzfeed and quick-read articles, gathering a large following on a blogging platform is tricky. A successful blogger can hold an audience’s attention for a prolonged period of time, as well as expound on their ideas. They are also knowledgeable about how to promote their blog through word-of-mouth, and other social media sites.

These examples are just the tip of the Internet iceberg. There are nearly 350 active social media sites worldwide, connecting everyone from environmental activists to anime fans.

In the age of information, every day, every click is a learning experience. Communication is changing, and so are employers. More and more, technological literacy is valued for its immense power in reaching people around the world. So don’t feel bad about your social media. In fact, take pride in creating profiles and content that others are drawn to. You never know what opportunities may come your way as a result.