I can honestly say that I have never been the one to post comments on controversial web articles. However, after reading a recent article posted on Time Business, I had to put my two cents in. The article titled, "11 Reasons a 23-Year-Old Shouldn't Run Your Social Media," stirred up quite a debate in the comments section due to its single-sided, unfounded nature.
It's unfortunate that articles of this nature are published at all, mainly because they can deter business owners from hiring the right employees. There are two sides to every story.
While it's understandable that new graduates are still in the process of establishing their place in the work world, it makes sense that many employers are still apprehensive when hiring someone fresh out of school. However, if there is one department in which to hire recent grads, it is undoubtedly the social media department.
The article on Time.com highlights the idea that recent grads lack the maturity and knowledge that managing businesses' social media outlets entail. However, it is the younger generations that have grown up using social platforms.
Social media has established itself as a staple part of our lives - just as smartphones and iPads. This is not to say that older people do not and cannot use social media, but Generation Y has consistently been on the forefront of social and technological innovation. The best way to describe the phenomena is in terms of learning a new language. Because our generation has grown up in the technological boom and social media era, maintaining Facebook and Twitter pages has become the equivalent of brushing our teeth in the morning - automatic and effortless. Just as learning a language is more difficult for an older person than for a younger person, social media is a language that Generation Y speaks fluently.
I found the article offensive because it specifically targeted recent graduates, when in reality a person of any age could make the mistakes listed. Plus, it robs Generation Y of the one thing they do best!
If the title of this article had been "11 Reasons you should properly screen job applicants for a social media job," then it would not have been so offensive. Instead, the article targets social media's largest demographic: college students. The author's main argument is solely the fact that recent graduates are young, immature and impulsive - and maybe she's right. But it doesn't change the fact that people in their twenties know social media best. Perhaps you'll have to explain the company voice a bit more, but you'll never have to explain likes, follows, comments, messages, tags or photo tags - let alone worry about any of them going unnoticed.
What do you think about this controversial article? Would you be hesitant to hire a 23-year-old college graduate to manage your businesses' social media accounts? Comment below.