Facebook and pathology

[isaishere]

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Hi.
I have seen this post in General Residency Issues about how to deal with your facebook account and being a resident in terms of time management, there is another article in SDN about "Facebook a new way to screen applicants?"

So I have issues with facebook, I never liked the idea of having an account in there, not because I'm hidding something, but I just consider it useless, it takes your time if you let it, (I know it depends upon the person) and it invades your privacy if we talk about all that conspiratioral theories, but....

How about using it just as a profesional networking? As a medical student, I've noticed most of my classmates even attendings use it!!, I mean we live in this social networking era, but I want to know how this will affect my job-conections-opportunities... if I don't have it...There are another sites like -Linkedin- just for professional purposes. But most people look first into facebook if they want to know about the whole you (interests, hobbies, family and relationships).

So few questions:

Do program directors look into your FB profile?
Does it really matter having an account?
Is this a way to let them know your interests and personality and showing what kind of person you are?
I shouldn't worry, I'm a lucky medstudent Who hasnt' been trapped in this circle?
If you have a FB profile, what are the advantages/disadvantages?

Please comment!

 

[Adrian Cocot]

👍 Adrian Cocot likes this.

 

[PathMD2010]

I did have one, deleted it for the reasons you said above, and recently made a new one. My reason for going back on the grid was that I thought it was a great way to keep tabs on casual acquaintences/ old friends that are now acquaintences, especially as I'm about to move. I don't think its needed for anything. Except wasting time. But its not complete evil.

The phonebook feature is a good thing - it keeps your friends numbers current. And keeps yours current as well.

The privacy settings can get pretty strong. I did a search for myself on google and on the fb can couldnt find it. So I felt okay about that. The only people that can see me are people I add and the only ones that can search to find me are in the networks I added. I went pretty hard core on the privacy - again nothing really to hide. Just like I wouldn't want someone looking through my window watching me watch TV. If I wanted you there, I'd invite you. Same concept.

Of course, don't put drunk party photos of yourself online. I never understood why people did that! I understand taking a pic of you and your friends having beers for your birthday or something, I'm talking lamp shade on your head in your undies pic. Stupid. This is what PDs would probably be looking for. Not whether you liked the last epidosde of big bang theory and thought it was LOL


The apps look like they take the most time. I don't do this. I got on there strictly for the purpose of keeping up with acquaitences/ friends I don't see enough. Not a gamer. Still sucks you in timewise if you let it. Oh let me see so and sos wedding pics. oh a puppy! ect.

 

[zao275]

I think it is great for networking, keeping up with old friends, and getting to know new friends. Many faculty pathologists that I meet at meetings and committees now seem to have FB so I add them. I keep my account pretty much open and choose to only post on there what is appropriate. I agree with PathMD2010 that it is not like you pretend to not be a real person or have to be afraid that every little thing will be judged, but it is a really bad idea to post excessive vulgarity, obscenities, or pics of you doing something really inappropriate. Just remember that once you post something, it is essentially on the internet forever. Even if you delete it someone could theoretically save a copy of it (unlikely, but possible). Just think before you post! Some people choose not to use FB for professional contacts either because they do have things on there that they don't want to have PD's see, or maybe because they are too paranoid. Maybe I am not paranoid enough though? 😉 But I think it has enhanced my relationships with several pathologists that I would not have known well otherwise. I will see them occasionally and they will start a conversation with me about something I posted on facebook, or about my recent birthday, etc (whereas without FB we might not have had a topic to break the ice). And it is a great way to keep track of everyone's contact info (emails change all the time, and phone numbers, but facebook remains!).

Just listing pros and cons, not trying to sell you on it. To each his own. I think it has potential for great good (and also for great evil!). But it can be a time waste if you let it (for that matter, I guess SDN can too...).

 

[KCShaw]

I don't "know" of any program directors or employers who dedicate time to Facebook searches -- most have, or should have, better things to do. That's not to say it doesn't happen, I just don't know anyone who includes that as part of their screening process.

Some organizations and individuals have a "business" Facebook page/account. I don't have a problem with that, and it's certainly a viable way to maintain a presence. Some people are comfortable in combining a social/personal account with contacts they make professionally, and that's fine too -- so long as you (and your other Facebook friends) keep in mind the overlap. I've never used it for professional networking. I know some people who have, but I'm talking about self-marketers who also use a number of other free or cheap online methods, as well as more traditional networking, to promote themselves. Personally I use it primarily as a way to keep loose contact with people I otherwise never would, generally old schoolmates I'd have no reason to really hunt down but might stumble into on Facebook.

I use the general rule of thumb that if I wouldn't say/show/do something on reality TV, then I wouldn't do it in a public or semi-public online forum either. Real anonymity doesn't exist in the way people seem to think it does when they're sitting at their computers in their underwear.

 

[zao275]

Real anonymity doesn't exist in the way people seem to think it does when they're sitting at their computers in their underwear.

Well said!!!

 

[isaishere]

I don't know.... my brother is a "facebook addict"
I don't know if I can control myself if I create a fecebook account

Maybe FB reveal your level of emptiness....

What does it mean to be friends with someone?
What's the difference if I have 2000 friends, or 20?

Are you able to keep in touch with all of them?
Do they really care about your thoughts?