Imagine this scenario: a high school senior has completed all necessary requirements to get into college - filled out numerous applications, visited campuses, and done everything done by the book. One night, he/she decides to go out with some friends and a few fall under the influence. Not everyone is indulging in the temptation of underage intoxication, but because some pictures were posted online, he/she looks guilty; furthermore, he/she is rejected by several colleges after those pictures were found. Who knew a simple social media slip-up could cause so many problems? Social media presence serves as a first impression, and how we choose to portray ourselves online can haunt us well into a college career and professional life. Understanding the impact of what is posted online is important and realizing the consequences of social media choices should be in the forefront of every young person's thoughts and decisions.

According to the Huffington Post, 65% of job interviewers review a prospective employee’s social media. A Kaplan survey showed that 27% of college interviewers reviewed applicants social media with 35% of those searches having a negative impact. When it comes to recruiting for sports, more and more coaches are looking at an athlete’s social media presence. Danielle O’Banion, the Kent State Women’s Basketball coach tweeted “The misuse of social media literally costs people money. Chose not to recruit a young lady based on her online persona.” In this case, social media was the difference between being recruitment and rejection. Students in today's world need be reminded of how their online presence affects their future.

With the future in mind, schools should push students to be mindful of their actions online and show them the consequences of careless posting. Reminding students of the permanence and wildfire-like nature of social media will only benefit students in preparation for a professional future. As much as college acceptance is stressed on the today’s students, it is a surprise that more are not concerned with their own social media presence. What good does it do students to make an effort in their education only to diminish their chances of success by tweeting profanity of posting a photo of illegal activity?

Social media is a tool; it can build connections and catapult a student into success if he/she chooses to use it appropriately. Alternately, ignorance of the impact of social media can become a person’s downfall. With the use of social media in the employment and college application process, the students of today should be learning how to harness the power of that tool made freely available to them. Not only will it aid them in their professional life, but it will better their communication skills and make them more ready for the world ahead of them.