I learned something new again last week in my NYU Stress-Free Living and Working in the Music Industry class.

One student suggested in an open class discussion that there is now a new type of shaming that is worrying him – the shame of not having a good enough job and posting it on social media site LinkedIn.  Yes, LinkedIn which is designed to be the antidote to Facebook and Instagram and others that are more superficial.

The other 25 class members almost to a person, chimed in in agreement.  That not having a prestigious enough job (or cool enough) at varying stages of employment can be seen in a negative light – some want to resist it.

You can’t ignore shame even though it’s important to put in perspective that one person’s shame may actually start out as another person’s pride.

Social media has been killing the self-esteem of young people for long enough now for us to understand that it can be lethal.  Whether on social media or not, where we work is part of our narrative.   I’ve accomplished some broadcasting, business and educational goals but I also worked at Sears selling sporting goods as well as parks, recreation working with young people and being fired that led to a phenomenal job.

What matters is not the coolness of a career but where it ultimately fits in to your total journey.

Feel free to share.