Is It A Myth That Social Media Executives Are Better When Younger?

“Do you believe someone in their twenties--just out of the college gate--would be more suitable for a job in social media instead of someone who has seen lot more in life than just white scribbles of chalk on that black board?” I asked glancing at Ramona’s computer.

“This job is for social media executives. Do you know what social media is?” She raised her head, looking straight into my eyes.

“Social media is a term used to describe the interaction between groups or individuals in which they produce, share, and sometimes exchange ideas over the internet and in virtual communities. It's not only a new trend, but a new lifestyle,” I responded, giving her a 'but-obvious' look.

“You’re right! But, the impact of social networks on young people is purely evident. The youth are surrounded by mobile devices, computers, laptops all the time. Thus, my criterion is, candidates ranging from 21 to 29 who are more friendly with the trend than someone older, who might think it’s a complete waste of time and energy,” she said, flicking back her hair. “And yes, people know a lot more at this age than just the white scribbling on that black board,” she added

I was taken aback with her biased reply. But on second thoughts, a lot of people feel the same way. Technology has seen an  immense growth in the last 20 years. Widespread use of social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn is hardly a decade old. Yet, I wouldn’t agree with her one-sided view. There are two sides to all things in life.

“There was a time when adults used social media only for emailing or sending work-related drafts. But times have changed, Ramona, and so have people. Twenty five percent of adults who are online are aged between 50 and 64 years, and 13% are 65 and older, according to a survey conducted in April 2009. We are in 2016 now; I bet the numbers would have risen! And I am not saying you should favour a person who is 35 over someone who is 25. Why don’t you set up interviews and then decide who the best candidate is? Just exclude the age restriction” I said, trying to explain myself as simply as I could.

But the 27-year-old recruiting manager was not ready to give up that easily. And why would she? Winning four ‘performer of the year’ awards and one ‘businesswoman’ trophy, she was herself an example of what someone can do at this young age. “My grandmother used to cook food on a wooden stove; my mother did on a gas stove; and I use a microwave. There's no way I can teach my grandmother how to use a microwave, or she could teach me to light a wooden stove," she replied, in a formal, robotic tone.

Though not as much as Ramona, I too have achieved a few things in life. My five years of experience in the management field had taught me a lot too. And the most important thing I learned was, you cannot calculate how the brain processes information and how humans crave certain connections. Age is just a number; no person should ever be denied something because of his date of birth. “Jean-Claude Duvalier became president of Haiti at the age of 19, while it took 69 years for Ronald Reagon to become president of the United States”,  I said as I got up

“Behavioural science has a long way to go in really understanding a human mind. But till we do it, why not use the trial and test method? Why not give everyone an equal chance and find out?,” I said, leaving her cabin.

By Husna Advani Dossani

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