The internet has an allure of giving you the freedom to say whatever you want without too much accountability. Facebook, tweeting, blogs, etc. let us voice all those repressed aggressions and idiosyncrasies we have to withhold while in school or on the job. But don’t be deceived. As many as 37 percent of law schools check applicant’s online profiles to assess the character of their prospective students, and there are endless stories of somebody Facebooking some complaint about his job only for his boss to later fire him for the indiscretion.

What this means is that as a lawyer you are always a lawyer, in all your expressions. If you have some daring and unpopular opinions, consider this: they might come back to haunt you. Building a reputation means you are regarded as honest but also conscientious. So be careful not to simply rant and rave without discretion. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and other social media are great ways to express yourself and share who you are, but imagine, in everything you share, that your prospective employers can read what you say – even if your privacy settings are set in place. You might be quoted or exposed by a jealous coworker, so be smart. You don’t really need to spill your soul to a bunch of invisible people on the internet. Have discretion.

The things said by you and about you on the internet are increasingly easy to look up, your reputation is written down, it’s there for anybody who cares to look it up. So be discreet and imagine that everything you share is visible to the whole world. Sharing secrets with the internet, or even in texting or emails, isn’t smart. Emails can get forwarded or snooped into. Avoid such temptations and always be professional, even among friends. If you want to cut loose, do so while having a beer with your friends, when no internet is present recording all your moves and words.