Career Advice from a Georgetown Professor: Quit Social Media

By Rachel Baucas Waglison | Nov 25, 2016 05:50 PM EST

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Cal Newport ,a Georgetown professor believes that  social media "diverts your time and attention away from producing work that matters and toward convincing the world that you matter." If you are serious about advancing you career, the size of your Facebook or Instagram following does not matter, instead "Be so good they can't ignore you."

It's not like he doesn't go near a computer; in fact, he is a millennial computer scientist, a blogger, and a writer.Some of his works are featured on TV, radio and major publications like The New York Times,The Economist and Wall Street Journal.

In an article from The New York Times ,Newport said that we live in a capitalist economy in which the market rewards rare and valuable things,and  the use of social media is not rare or valuable.Anyone with a smartphone can  invent a hashtag or repost a viral article.

Nowadays,most people can't seem to live without the use of social media. People feel the need to answer every message,comments,emails.They can't help to keep scrolling down to read  every post and  before you know the  day is over.Newport's idea is that if you want to advance in your career,the number of your Facebook or Instagram following doesn't matter instead, "Be so good they can't ignore you."

To increase productivity, spend less time in social media.But if it does come to a point where it's hurting  your career,you might want to heed his advice  about quitting social media."If you're serious about making an impact in the world, power down your smartphone, close your browser tabs, roll up your sleeves and get to work."He said. 

Cal Newport is an associate professor of computer science at Georgetown University He is also the author of "Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World" and "So Good They Can't Ignore You".He also wrote three popular books for students.He certainly is serious about making an impact in his career and the world.Check out Jobs & Hire for more career advice.

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