Being Professional in the Age of Social Media

While there is growing interest in the role and impact of social media in our everyday lives, its impact on our professional identity remains underestimated. Cyberbullying, social media facilitated organized protests, and political memes mimicking Trump and Biden standoff at the last presidential debate are some of the headlines you might have recently seen. While it may be tempting to share your latest adventure on social media, it is perhaps wise to think twice before clicking share on your latest social media find as it may directly impact landing in your dream job or reputation as a professional. Lack of appropriate social media presence has a direct impact on our professional identity which is defined as one’s professional self-concept based on attributes, beliefs, values, motives, and experiences (Ibarra, 1999).

Before drawing a line between what’s appropriate and what’s not appropriate social media presence, it is essential to first define what is referred to as social media. According to Naions D., 2019 “Social media are web-based communication tools that enable people to interact with each other by sharing and consuming information”. According to this definition, social media is in part a tool, however, at the core of it is the human-to-human interaction that accommodates the exchange of information.

When referring to human-to-human interaction in the context of appropriate conduct, the medium through which that interaction takes place is irrelevant. The interaction may be face-to-face, via telephone, in writing, or through one of the various social media platforms; however, one thing that should remain consistent is one’s principles and values and the application of those principles and values in how those interactions take place.

In my opinion, social media interactions are neither superior nor inferior when compared to traditional means of engagement. As a prerequisite, appropriate social media presence includes interactions that are in-tune with our values and principles and how we interact with others in person. In our daily in-person interactions we often refrain from taking certain actions and abstain from saying certain things because we do not want to be defined by such attributes. Similarly, in our social media presence, we should not be deceived by the artificial screen, and must only portray ourselves in a manner that’s in-line with our values and principles.

Regardless of the specific profession each one of us belongs to, we are all expected to adhere to a certain code of conduct and professional ethical standards while representing a certain organization. In part, our values and principles are influence by our professional ethical standards.

Like many other health professions in Ontario and across Canada, Respiratory Therapy is also a regulated health profession in the province of Ontario. As a Registered Respiratory Therapist, I am required to hold a membership at the College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario (CRTO), which is a regulatory body, authorized by the Regulated Health Professionals Act, governing the practice of its Members in the public interest (About the CRTO, 2020). Through strict requirements of entry and continued proficiency, the College ensures that its Members are practicing by minimum standards of care as laid out by the College.

In my professional role as a Registered Respiratory Therapist, my values and principle are in part a reflection of personal identity, and in part a reflection of the values and principles of the organizations that I belong to. “Professional roles are defined as prestigious and provide the role holder with autonomy (Benveniste, 1987) and, often, a degree of privilege” (Stay & Smith, 2010); however, that privilege does not come without responsibility – one of which is appropriate social media presence if one chooses to be virtually visible.

References

About the CRTO. (2020, 10 02). Retrieved from College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario: https://www.crto.on.ca

Benveniste, G. (1987). Professionalizing the Organization: Reducing Bureaucracy to Enhance Effectiveness. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Ibarra, H. (1999). Provisional selves: Experimenting with image and identity in professional adaptation. Administrative Science Quarterly, 764-791.

Naions, D. (2019, 10 02). What is Social Media? Retrieved from Lifewire: https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-social-media-explaining-the-big-trend-3486616

Naions, D. (2019, 12 19). What Is Social Media? Retrieved from Lifewire: https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-social-media-explaining-the-big-trend-3486616

Stay, H. S., & Smith, D. (2010). Professional identity construction: Using narrative to understand the negotiation of professional and stigmatized cultural identities. SAGE Journals.