Privacy, Branding, & Virtual Responsibilities

In sum, if you benefit professionally, personally, or financially, and do not represent the university in an official capacity, you should not prominently display any TAMU logos--including that of the Bush School--in your presentation materials (websites, slideshows, etc.). However, you may use a TAMU branded image or logo in your materials in the body if your use of them is to point to the university. See branding cases for further clarification.

Of course, you must follow the branding guidelines for integrating logos and other images into the work you have created,which means using the logo without distortion. For more details about branding guidelines, including templates, logos, and other issues, please see TAMU Branding Guidelines.

Virtual Responsibilities 

Your virtual representation must be professional, honest, and self-explanatory (especially if your site is public and you are using it to "market" yourself for a job). Remember that your site may be someone's first impression of you. Does it represent you in the best way possible? Does it include anything that might be misinterpreted or that might misrepresent your credentials? Does it reveal private information or anything you would prefer that someone else not know? 

• Disclose information judiciously for online publication.

  • • Choose a site name and address carefully depending on how much visibility you want the site to have. If you want to use the site to market your credentials (increasing your networking visibility), you may want to use your name in the title and address so that you are virtually searchable. If you prefer more privacy, choose a "handle" that does not directly link to you. Most web platforms allow for different levels of privacy for sites and individual pages, but you ultimately control what people see. Therefore, act strategically and wisely.  

    • Complete your profile conservatively. Include only the information you would not mind a potential employer or anyone else seeing. 

    • Use privacy settings to control the traffic to your professional page.

• • Edit your work. Write and revise your pages according to the highest writing standards in the areas of paragraph development (including topic sentences, cohesion and coherence), style, tone, grammar, punctuation, and usage. Proofread your work carefully for errors and clarity. Remember that your page represents your communication credentials as well as your ability to pay attention to detail.

  • Use document design and graphics. Use the wysiwyg tools (what you see is what you get) located on the toolbar to make your entries attractive AND to direct your reader’s attention to the most important points. Include graphics that balance text with visual information. Check size and placement for visual effectiveness (your graphics should not overwhelm the page, but complement the message). Use Creative Commons images or cite the sources of images you use.

  • Develop each point clearly, succinctly, and comprehensively.  Remember that your reader must be able to understand your message from what you have written (you won't be able to clarify your points until you are contacted). Therefore, your writing must be self-explanatory, but does not have to provide everything he/she needs to know about you. Be clear, concise, and credible.

  • Revise for final review. Seek feedback on your portfolio through peer review and repeated proofreading and editing. Continue to maintain current information.