If a potential employer typed in your name in the Google search engine, what kind of things would show up? Best class president? Highest grade point average? How about a picture of a mug-shot from a recent arrest of drug-possession? Well, that is the reality that Maxwell Birnbaum, the college freshman that is the subject of David Segal’s “Mugged by a Mug Shot Online” had to face. While Birnbaum was riding with a group of friends to enjoy spring break, the police pulled over the crew for a trivial taillight malfunction. The police discovered not one but six ecstasy pills in Birnbaum’s possession. Consequently, he gets placed under arrest and a number of “mug-shot sites” publicize his picture. What once started as a night to get “high” brings Birnbaum in the lowest position possible:criminal. Now he has to pay for it- literally. According to the article, the cost to remove these pictures range from $30-$400. I personally do not know of any college student, talk-less of freshmen alone, can dish out this amount. Can you?
It is better for us as college students to realize that everything we do now will have a direct affect on our future. Our whole purpose in attending college is to make a name for ourselves in a particular career industry.Perhaps it is in business, science, or the arts. Regardless of the field that you want to pursue, the image behind your name will determine your success. Let us not create a rotten stigma for ourselves because of the lure of peer pressure or the desire to fit in. Rather, let us create a reputation-a legacy, a brand- that will allow people to see our talents, achievements, and true character. Birnbaum got rejected from a potential employer because of something that he did on one night in his freshman year. That one night determined the employer’s first impression of Birnbaum. Our actions determines people’s perceptions of our character. Have you engaged in any activities that may have jeopardize your future (i.e. drinking underage, etc.)? If you have, smile, because even though your mugshot wasn’t taking this time, you could be next. The time to rid yourself from a reputation of crime- or anything negative for that matter- starts…NOW.
