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Mentoring Young Post-Docs: Preserving Professionalism With Online Identities

Reader question: I have a few post-docs who are very promising. But I’ve learned that they are posting rather controversial political and other opinions on an Internet blog. They use some salty language, too. The postings are not job- or lab-related, but they are linking to these blogs from their Social Media profiles. (These profiles include members of our lab.) I think this behavior is short-sighted. Their youthful fervor may come back to haunt them later because prospective employers may find these sometimes-vociferous opinions, which the post-docs may no longer hold. We all know nothing ever goes away on the Internet. Do I say anything? If so, what’s the best approach?

Expert Comments:As a mentor, you should talk to the post-doc directly and explain the choices — and consequences of those choices. This is also your role as a PI and leader in your lab.

Say something like: .

“On the Internet, your private opinions can be public because it’s all public speech. Think of it like standing on a corner and expressing your opinions. Anyone can pass by and know about you. .

“I’m not saying, ‘Don’t do it.’ But you should recognize that you’re expressing a perspective that others might not find attractive. Now colleagues or future employers are judging you on those private opinions and perspectives instead of your education, qualifications and work quality. If you believe strongly in a topic and post your opinions on the Internet, understand that there may be consequences of that. .

“Ultimately, it’s a question of what you want to be known for.” .

You should also mention that a future interviewer would probably find these writings. She might ask the candidate in an interview, “I’m curious why you chose to mention this in public.” The idea is to get them to think ahead about their public speech. .

As a mentor, you might also mention the positives of social media — talk about setting up a blog to express yourself on topics relevant to your area of expertise, networking with colleagues and sharing information relevant to your work group, for example. .

Although this controversial material is on the Internet forever, it’s not too late. You can do things to re-establish your professional credentials and move contentious websites lower on search engine results. Joining and presenting to professional associations, getting your name connected to your work, posting articles on your expertise on popular websites — all of these put a different, more professional message forward. .

To deal directly with social media issues and online etiquette, our university has purchased accounts for our students with brandyourself.com, which helps students elevate the Internet contributions for which they want to be known. In the past 10 years, these social media websites have offered many opportunities to connect with others, but the informal rules and etiquette are still being developed. .

Expert comments by Mike Cahill, Director of the Office of Career Services at Syracuse University in New York.