Moderator on a similar Forum

Dragomir

Dragomir

USNA '27
Joined
Mar 7, 2022
Messages
146
Hi! I'm a college reapplicant for the Naval Academy and I am wondering if being a moderator is a valid activity to mention in my interviews and on my application. On another forum online, I worked as one of the moderators similar to this forum. I would describe the job as similar to being a manager. Not only would I help manage the forum alongside my fellow moderators, but I also had a specific section that I was in charge of and regarded as the boss/leader of the section. My experience as a mod is a big part of my growth and maturity as a person. It helped develop my leadership and teamwork skills. I'd like to know if it is something that's worth mentioning on my application or in BGO and nomination interviews. Thanks!
 
If its something that you spend a lot of time doing, and you find essential to your growth and develop as a person and leader, then definitely mention it. I would warn you that should you mention it, you should anticipate MANY follow up questions.
 
Pluto said:
If its something that you spend a lot of time doing, and you find essential to your growth and develop as a person and leader, then definitely mention it. I would warn you that should you mention it, you should anticipate MANY follow up questions.
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Could you provide examples of what sort of questions I would be asked?
 
Dragomir said:
Could you provide examples of what sort of questions I would be asked?
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I would anticipate variations of some of the following questions:

-What is the subject matter of the forum?
-How much time do you spend moderating the forum?
-Are there any especially difficult things or difficult people you deal with?
-Provide an example of your moderating.
-How did you obtain the position?

There are probably many more, but I would be prepared for these questions at minimum.
 
THParent said:
Nope.

Nope.
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Very tempted to say the same. I think its a two way street. A lot of risk in bringing it up

@Dragomir It will honestly be up to you. These interviews are months away so think on it, but do understand the risks.

Edit** Note I am a recent applicant, now appointee, and have done only a fraction of the interviews and other professional matters as others. I would defer to some of the more senior forum members.
 
Pluto said:
I would anticipate variations of some of the following questions:

-What is the subject matter of the forum?
-How much time do you spend moderating the forum?
-Are there any especially difficult things or difficult people you deal with?
-Provide an example of your moderating.
-How did you obtain the position?

There are probably many more, but I would be prepared for these questions at minimum.
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Okay, I see. Thanks!
THParent said:
Nope.

Nope.
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Could you provide some reasons why you feel this way?
 
Dragomir said:
Okay, I see. Thanks!

Could you provide some reasons why you feel this way?
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I will defer to THparent in all things, especially those of the porcine type.

That being said, while you might be able to speak to ‘leadership’ or moderator administrative tasks, it doesn’t equate to real life real time human to human leadership and communication.

That’s my 2 cents.
 
Heatherg21 said:
I will defer to THparent in all things, especially those of the porcine type.

That being said, while you might be able to speak to ‘leadership’ or moderator administrative tasks, it doesn’t equate to real life real time human to human leadership and communication.

That’s my 2 cents.
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Yeah, I agree. Being a mod wouldn't be my main source of leadership that I would reference. I'm just curious if it'd be worthwhile to include it as an additional piece. It was a hobby of mine and I'm wondering if a hobby like that was good enough to be worth mentioning in an interview or an application. For example: "while I did all of XYZ, on the side as a past-time, I was a moderator on an online forum and..." Something like that.
 
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Gut feeling says no.

List the tangibles. List the metrics you can discuss and defend.

And if @Skipper07 says it, do it. Pro tip.
 
How is being a moderator on a forum something that has developed you as a leader? You also said it yourself….it’s a hobby. A part time hobby.

Perhaps it could come up peripherally in your interview, maybeeee? But I don’t think any part time hobby is something to HIGHLIGHT on your application as a resume booster.

I like to knit. Doesn’t make me future Naval Officer material. But if my BGO asked me what I enjoy doing in my free time, I would say ‘knit’.

From your posts here, to me, it seems like you feel it is something that ADDS to your resume. I personally don’t see that. And my own experiences would indicate, that spending hours moderating on an anonymous forum, takes away time available for other things, where you could be showing leadership, and a demonstrating where your leadership makes a real (vs anonymous, online) difference in your own community. How are you leading anonymous people?

There is no accountability in anonymity. Not saying there is anything wrong with it. But I personally don’t see it as a *highlight*. Hopefully you have other things you can choose that demonstrate leadership.

Adding: if you have to try hard to convince other people it’s valid….that’s something to consider!!
 
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Stealth_81 said:
Being a moderator on a forum is work, but it is not leadership. It is not going to be seen as something that adds to your application package for a service academy.
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@Stealth_81 is not a horse. But since they’re an outstanding moderator — and an outstanding SAF contributor who knows the SA admissions process very well — it’s worth saying: Spot-on advice, straight from the horse’s mouth. 🥴
 
Personally I would laugh if someone brought that up to me as some sort of leadership role. Sitting at a keyboard, clacking away and deleting posts or moving them to the appropriate forum is a far stretch from real leadership. One of the most common definitions of leadership I have heard in the military is the art of influencing others to accomplish a task/mission by providing direction, purpose and motivation. How does moderating a forum meet that definition?
 
Dragomir said:
My experience as a mod is a big part of my growth and maturity as a person. It helped develop my leadership and teamwork skills.
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This has become an interesting conversation. @Dragomir how would you respond to some of the above dissenting opinions given that you asserted this role helped you grow and develop leadership?
 
Eagle Scout, captain of a varsity sports team, all county all state on that sports team, a serious school leadership position, great grades and test scores, etc etc.

I spend my time on an Internet forum—— not so much.
 
You have authority without the equal burden of managing the in-person consequences of your actions, and you don't lead anyone. On the other hand you do have to make decisions that may involve a concrete display of ethics, you can show a record of long-term responsible community involvement and it can demonstrate a commitment to this topic. But it should be pretty easy to come up with better examples of ethical choices, leadership, resolving conflicts, community involvement, etc. It's a side light to cast some shadows for depth, not a spotlight to illuminate who you are.
 
Huursoldaat said:
This has become an interesting conversation. @Dragomir how would you respond to some of the above dissenting opinions given that you asserted this role helped you grow and develop leadership?
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This is actually a good point: if it has helped you develop then the story of extracting lessons from daily experiences can be useful. It won't replace better examples of actual leadership itself, but the skill of learning from events is a good one.
 
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