Moderator on a similar Forum

You need examples of real leadership. In person stuff.

How did you impact the club as president?

How did you lead your team through a tough loss or injuries of your teammates.

How did you shape the young minds of those you tutored?

You have to be able to articulate your leadership experiences. Clearly and concisely.

I think it’s a lovely hobby (being a member of this forum is a hobby for me), but it isn’t real time live leadership.
 
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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I think everyone is being a little too dismissive of it. I'm not trying to cite my moderator experience as some grandiose example of leadership. I completely understand and I agree that it isn't equal to real-time, on-hand leadership. However, if you were to ask me what has made me the person I am today, I would contribute a good deal of that to my experience as a moderator. I'm not just deleting posts or moving threads to the appropriate section. I'm actively working within the community to make the forum a better place. I'm learning teamwork by being a part of a team of mods and working together with them on how to be a good moderator. There have been several instances where I needed to make a decision, a big decision that would bring change and improvement to that specific section I mentioned about being in charge of. Through the process of these decisions, I've become a better listener and have learned how to make the correct decision to achieve the most desirable result. I would not equate this hobby of mine to something like knitting.
Anonymous121 said:
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?
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I can account to you multiple instances where someone lost motivation, felt like quitting in a certain activity that we were doing on the forum and I took it upon myself to motivate that person, to rekindle the fire under them to keep going. I'm not just sitting in front of my computer, deleting posts, and moving on with my day. I'm doing much more than that.

I want to clarify that I'm not trying to say that being a moderator is leadership. The job itself isn't. However, my experiences as a moderator and the circumstances surrounding what I needed to do as the person in charge of a specific section has contributed to my development as a leader and maturity as a person. Strictly being a mod is not a leader but for me, it has contributed to learning how to be a leader.
 
StPaulDad said:
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.
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Yes, I agree. When I started my application, I was not thinking about including this piece onto it or bringing it up in interviews. But yesterday, I thought about it and thought it wouldn't be bad to include and might help boost my application even more. The goal with each candidate when applying is to try to be as strong as a candidate as possible, so if this is something that can help strengthen my candidacy, then why not add it? There are better examples to display leadership and the like, but the more the merrier, right?
 
You indicated you are a reapplicant. If you believe being a forum moderator is a good example of leadership, why didn't you include that in your prior application? While you may view it as important, what really matters is how USNA would view this and I believe several prior posters have already commented on that.
 
THParent said:
It looks like you've made the decision then. Go with it and good luck.
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I definitely don't wanna say I've made my decision. I only came up with the thought yesterday and I'm still pondering over if it's a good idea or not to include it. If you guys truly believe that it won't help or might even hurt my application then I won't mention it.
time2 said:
You indicated you are a reapplicant. If you believe being a forum moderator is a good example of leadership, why didn't you include that in your prior application? While you may view it as important, what really matters is how USNA would view this and I believe several prior posters have already commented on that.
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I didn't mention it in my first application because I wasn't a moderator during that time.
 
Dragomir said:
...I am wondering if being a moderator is a valid activity to mention in my interviews and on my application...
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Mods don't have any face-to-face interactions with people. It's just aliases on the Internet. It's volunteer work at best and often handed out as a thank-you for longtime/prolific posters or contributors. If anyone thinks that it means something, they should get outside more.
Seriously.
Dragomir said:
...I would describe the job as similar to being a manager....
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Well, it's not. Sorry.
Dragomir said:
...and regarded as the boss/leader of the section....
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You're not paid and the rest of them aren't either. It may be time to stop thinking that anything you do on an Internet Forum makes you some kind of leader. Anyone that this matters to, isn't worth impressing.
Dragomir said:
...I'd like to know if it is something that's worth mentioning on my application or in BGO and nomination interviews. Thanks!...
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Look, I'm an admin on another site. I don't tell anyone in real life because the Internet is not real life. It doesn't matter and it most certainly won't help your application. Most people would probably just roll their eyes at the mere mention of it.

These are just my opinions and advice, but again I am just an anonymous poster on the Internet. I really don't think that you should care.
Therein lies the crux of the issue.

PS: Clearly my views of mods don't extend to SAF mods. They're wonderful, contributing members of society in general. ;)
 
THParent said:
Mods don't have any face-to-face interactions with people. It's just aliases on the Internet. It's volunteer work at best and often handed out as a thank-you for longtime/prolific posters or contributors. If anyone thinks that it means something, they should get outside more.
Seriously.

Well, it's not. Sorry.

You're not paid and the rest of them aren't either. It may be time to stop thinking that anything you do on an Internet Forum makes you some kind of leader. Anyone that this matters to, isn't worth impressing.

Look, I'm an admin on another site. I don't tell anyone in real life because the Internet is not real life. It doesn't matter and it most certainly won't help your application. Most people would probably just roll their eyes at the mere mention of it.

These are just my opinions and advice, but again I am just an anonymous poster on the Internet. I really don't think that you should care.
Therein lies the crux of the issue.

PS: Clearly my views of mods don't extend to SAF mods. They're wonderful, contributing members of society in general. ;)
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Okay. Thank you for the advice.
 
Look at the activity this way - it’s a positive thing to do, you have learned some new skills which is not a bad thing, but is probably not a huge contribution to your leadership toolkit. As you triage what to mention, I’d use up available space and time (essays and interviews) for more impactful choices, and classify it as a hobby which has taught you a few things, available to use if you have gotten all your big guns out there.
 
Great posts above. I think a number of salient points have been raised on why not to include moderator volunteering as more than it is. Up to the OP to weigh that and heed or ignore.

Additionally: One challenge in identifying as a moderator for a SA application is that you then take some level of ownership for being a steward/ ambassador for that space. So if posters delve into politics, gender/ race, off-topic issues in a way that a committee member finds offensive, the stink of that can rub off on you for why didn't you address/ fix? I think it opens up a can of perception worms.

IMO, you'd be better served with quantified leadership in the classroom, on the athletic field, as a civic volunteer/ leader, in your community, and as a leader within organizations you've been active within. Quantify the "so what" impact you've had, what you did to cause that impact- that IMO would outshine a volunteer moderator description. Speak from the heart on why you want to serve as an officer, and why you want to serve in that branch. My DS applied to about 8 or 9 schools and was awarded over 1MM in scholarships including AROTC, AFROTC, NROTC top scholarships - and this was his approach. He was recruited by SAs too but that wasn't his interest in the slightest.

Some of your answers come across like you want people to validate that including moderator leadership experience in your reapplication is a good idea vs tell you their honest feedback. Most folks here are just trying to help you, as we've been helped ourselves on our respective journeys, learned a thing or two along the way/ and are trying to pay it back. But take whatever parts that can help you while being sure to keep your ears and eyes and mind open.

Good luck to you.
 
Make a list and take a tally of people here who think it’s a good idea to include it, and those that don’t. And go with the results.

Not sure how long you have been here, but there are seasoned posters here involved in various elements of the application process. You have gotten responses and input from BGO’s, parents of Mids, ACTUAL Mids (now graduates a couple weeks out), Captains in Big Navy, who have worked at USNA, and people who make resume decisions and gauge leadership in the civilian world. Also from long time posters, and forum moderators!! You could not get a better representation of good advise, imo, than what you received here.

Do with it what you want, and good luck to you. I’m sure your forum members appreciate your dedication. I know I do our SAF admins (I also Admin another site and agree it takes work. I also would not call it leadership).
 
Whether you mention it or not isn't really the question. The pivotal question is whether it will make any difference in your application? The answer is almost certainly: No.

Several years ago, I had a candidate (reapplicant, BTW), who had created / developed an App that was very useful and helpful to college students. He and a couple friends formed a company and further developed this App for use in broader applications. Eventually, they successfully sold the business. To me, that's a lot more than moderating a site. Did it help him earn an appointment. Uh . . . no.

You seem to feel strongly about including it. So, do it -- not b/c it will help but b/c if you don't earn an appointment, you'll always wonder.
 
Sorry to beat a dead horse, but I’m bored to death at the airport right now so I can’t help but weigh in on this one.

I also would not recommend mentioning being a moderator. Like everyone has already mentioned, it is not leadership and it is not a job. It’s a hobby you have, which is great, but it isn’t predictive of your potential as a military leader—Potential which could very well be there, I’m not saying it’s not, just that being a forum mod is not a sign of it. Personally if I heard this in an interview or read it in an essay, my second reaction after “Why on God’s green earth are they bringing this up?” would be “You spent all this free time on an internet forum instead of playing sports, studying more, running a volunteer project, etc?”.

As for its benefit to your application…Let’s just say it lands somewhere between keeping a robust stamp collection and holding the Guiness World Record for growing the longest toenails. That is to say, not one bit! In fact there’s opportunity cost because you’re taking up words that could be used to talk about actual leadership experiences you may have had.

It’s your decision, but consider the responses you’ve recieved here, and ask yourself—how likely is it that whoever is reading your application or interviewing you is going to have the complete opposite reaction to everyone here? I think it was quite smart of you to ask this question, and hopefully you are rethinking your desire to bring this up. Some of the shrewdest business and political leaders take input from focus groups into account. Think of this post like that. Talk about being a moderator if you really want, but do it prepared to withstand a critical response.
 
Kierkegaard said:
Sorry to beat a dead horse, but I’m bored to death at the airport right now so I can’t help but weigh in on this one.

I also would not recommend mentioning being a moderator. Like everyone has already mentioned, it is not leadership and it is not a job. It’s a hobby you have, which is great, but it isn’t predictive of your potential as a military leader—Potential which could very well be there, I’m not saying it’s not, just that being a forum mod is not a sign of it. Personally if I heard this in an interview or read it in an essay, my second reaction after “Why on God’s green earth are they bringing this up?” would be “You spent all this free time on an internet forum instead of playing sports, studying more, running a volunteer project, etc?”.

As for its benefit to your application…Let’s just say it lands somewhere between keeping a robust stamp collection and holding the Guiness World Record for growing the longest toenails. That is to say, not one bit! In fact there’s opportunity cost because you’re taking up words that could be used to talk about actual leadership experiences you may have had.

It’s your decision, but consider the responses you’ve recieved here, and ask yourself—how likely is it that whoever is reading your application or interviewing you is going to have the complete opposite reaction to everyone here? I think it was quite smart of you to ask this question, and hopefully you are rethinking your desire to bring this up. Some of the shrewdest business and political leaders take input from focus groups into account. Think of this post like that. Talk about being a moderator if you really want, but do it prepared to withstand a critical response.
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BZ, Ensign K! I hope you are doing fun basket leave things. Forgive me if I should have used “2LT” - did you ever share your path?

I’m glad you mentioned “opportunity cost.” The mental image this brings up is being at the keyboard alone for considerable amounts of time doing a non-required thing, when that same time could be invested in the more tangible opportunities you mentioned.
 
Kierkegaard said:
You spent all this free time on an internet forum instead of playing sports, studying more, running a volunteer project, etc?”.
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Plus 10 to @Kierkegaard. Most applicants have full schedules, little to no spare time, and suffer from lack of sleep. I know my DS slept on average 5 hours his junior year trying to accomplish all that his schedule required of him.

You have gotten excellent advice here IMHO.

No one is saying you shouldn't have been a mod, or shouldn't enjoy it or that you didn't gain some insight or skills from that experience. But you asked in the context if it could help you in your application process, and that is why you are getting the answers you have received.

Most application essays are incredibly limited in the character count. Most interviews are structured in a tightly regimented minute-to-minute schedule.

Knowing that, make sure you maximize the characters/words on paper and your time in real interviews.

@Kierkegaard, congrats on your recent commissioning and safe travels. Don't be a stranger, you and the other newly commissioned officer are valuable contributors here.
 
Kierkegaard said:
Sorry to beat a dead horse, but I’m bored to death at the airport right now so I can’t help but weigh in on this one.

I also would not recommend mentioning being a moderator. Like everyone has already mentioned, it is not leadership and it is not a job. It’s a hobby you have, which is great, but it isn’t predictive of your potential as a military leader—Potential which could very well be there, I’m not saying it’s not, just that being a forum mod is not a sign of it. Personally if I heard this in an interview or read it in an essay, my second reaction after “Why on God’s green earth are they bringing this up?” would be “You spent all this free time on an internet forum instead of playing sports, studying more, running a volunteer project, etc?”.

As for its benefit to your application…Let’s just say it lands somewhere between keeping a robust stamp collection and holding the Guiness World Record for growing the longest toenails. That is to say, not one bit! In fact there’s opportunity cost because you’re taking up words that could be used to talk about actual leadership experiences you may have had.

It’s your decision, but consider the responses you’ve recieved here, and ask yourself—how likely is it that whoever is reading your application or interviewing you is going to have the complete opposite reaction to everyone here? I think it was quite smart of you to ask this question, and hopefully you are rethinking your desire to bring this up. Some of the shrewdest business and political leaders take input from focus groups into account. Think of this post like that. Talk about being a moderator if you really want, but do it prepared to withstand a critical response.
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Wow, that piece about opportunity cost really hit hard for me as I'm currently taking a class where just 2 weeks ago, we learned about opportunity cost!
Heatherg21 said:
Plus 10 to @Kierkegaard. Most applicants have full schedules, little to no spare time, and suffer from lack of sleep. I know my DS slept on average 5 hours his junior year trying to accomplish all that his schedule required of him.

You have gotten excellent advice here IMHO.

No one is saying you shouldn't have been a mod, or shouldn't enjoy it or that you didn't gain some insight or skills from that experience. But you asked in the context if it could help you in your application process, and that is why you are getting the answers you have received.

Most application essays are incredibly limited in the character count. Most interviews are structured in a tightly regimented minute-to-minute schedule.

Knowing that, make sure you maximize the characters/words on paper and your time in real interviews.

@Kierkegaard, congrats on your recent commissioning and safe travels. Don't be a stranger, you and the other newly commissioned officer are valuable contributors here.
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Yes, I understand. I shouldn't waste my character count and interview time bringing up this hobby.

Thank you everyone for your answers and advice! I really appreciate it. I won't talk about my moderator hobby in interviews nor mention it on any application. I'll make sure to fill that time and character count up with far more valuable experiences that will actually strengthen my application. Thank you.
 
usna1985 said:
You seem to feel strongly about including it. So, do it -- not b/c it will help but b/c if you don't earn an appointment, you'll always wonder.
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No, I don't think I will wonder if it would have helped or not. After what @Kierkegaard said about opportunity cost, the only thing I will wonder is if had I spent all that time as a mod doing other things that would benefit my application, then maybe I would have received an appointment.
 
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