JACKSON, Miss.–Jobs can be hard to get and you can ruin your chances if you have a bunch of party pics or indecent posts on Facebook and Twitter. That’s what broadcast and communications students learned at Tuesday’s Mississippi Assoc. of Broadcasters on Campus.
The rule doesn’t just apply to broadcasters, but to anyone who wants a professional job.
“The first thing I’m gonna do is Google you,” said Johnny Boswell, who operates Boswell Media, a groups of radio stations and digital media in Kosciusko, Carthage and Philadelphia. “That may take us to Facebook or to Twitter.”
What the bosses find there better look good.
“Yes we want you to have a digital presence. We want to see you can work Facebook, Twitter and Instagram,” said Kevin Olliphant, assistant news director at WLBT-TV in Jackson. “But, if we find something questionable it’s gonna give us pause and more than likely we’re gonna move on, because there’s 200 of you I can choose from. Don’t take yourself out of the running because of something stupid that you or your friend posted and tagged you in on Facebook.”
All of your activity counts.
“I like to look and see who you’re following on Twitter, too. If you’re following a bunch of questionable comedians, or Lady Gaga and stuff like that instead of news agencies, because that’s the business you’re in, I’m gonna think about that a little bit,” said Emily Mowery, promotions director at WTVA-TV in Tupelo.
MAB on Campus is held at different universities around the state to educate communications students on what the real world of broadcast, public relations and production looks like.
The next one will be next month at Mississippi State.
