Yesterday, November 29, the world was shaken when news broke that NBC swiftly fired top grossing anchor Matt Lauer due to sexual misconduct allegations. Taking a step away from the usual conversation on women's rights and the misjudgment of men in influential positions a new discussion has now been started. As a journalism major this topic was immediately discussed in my classroom and one individual's sentiments sparked a whole new conversation. This person said something along the lines of being understanding and feeling bad for that woman that came forward and others who have lately but also being sad because they idolized Lauer and felt like he was one of the reasons they wanted to start their career. Now the conversation has shifted.

Should we idolize these men in power that we don't really know?

Over the past few months, men at the top of every kind of career field have been exposed for their indiscretions and sexual harassment with their colleagues. From Hollywood producers and directors to television hosts and personalities, we are seeing individuals we respected and saw qualities we wanted to imitate be exposed for being completely indecent human beings.

Does that mean we can no longer want to be like someone?

The answer is easy and complicated all at the same time. The first part of the answer is yes. I think what we can take away from all of these allegations is that we can't blindly idolize professionals that only show us one side of them. Most people are way more complicated than what they show to the public eye. To want to be just the one dimension we see of someone is unrealistic. You should aspire to inspire yourself. The milestones someone has made in their career are respectable but not meant to be mirrored, only exceeded.

What makes the answer complicated is that the answer is also no. The question and the conversation started isn't to say that everyone in the public eye is a fake or holding secret. It doesn't mean that you have to stop enjoying people for the work they do in their respective positions, but you have to take it as just that. We are now learning the harsh lesson that these people have a public persona and we can only take them at face value.

We only hope to have careers that are genuine and respectable to reach milestones like these people even if they may not have gotten there in a decent manner.