I started my job search a few months back as a sort of warm-up for the job searching I'll be doing in February and March (the recommended months to job-search before a May graduation). I found companies like IBM, Stardock, Reactor Zero and Epicenter Studios through local ties. Internet searching revealed a few jobs here, a few jobs there, nothing too unreasonable, maybe a move out-of-state.

Recently, my family has grown concerned that I may apply for a job and a company may turn me down because of my drug policy reform position, notes and blog posts. Because of my staunch position to reform the United States drug laws, the hypothetical company in question may think that I am a drug user myself (an unfortunate trend amongst the majority of people when they hear about drug policy reform).

There are two sides to this. On the one hand, it makes sense that companies search me on the internet to find my "web presence" (or what I have contributed). They'll search me on Google, Facebook, blog sites... the list goes on. And when they find me, they'll want to know everything about me. They'll want to know how I interact with my friends, how I view the world, if my pictures present someone that they'd want at their company, and what specifically I believe. This is only natural and part of the current job market, as companies want to make sure their job is being filled by someone who is competent in what they want but who is a social benefit as well.

On the other hand, though, if companies judge people on what they believe, should a person entering the job market erase any sign of what he thinks? Most people would say, "Of course! He wants a job, doesn't he? Just erase those notes and blog posts and such and he won't even have to worry about it."

Here's the issue, though: If I erased my opinion and left groups that I believe will make a change, I would be silencing my freedom of speech.

How much is our freedom of speech worth when we must sacrifice it to get a job? We speak so highly of how we as America have given the people the freedom of speech and the press and religion, but have we? This era of job searching has landed yet ANOTHER constriction upon Americans: whether they feel they should give up the right to be different, to be passionate about their causes, to spend their energy working for what they believe to be the greater good.

And more, if a company even READ my posts, they'd realize that I'm not the stereotypical drug reformer (a drug user who chimes in periodically about how "good" his drug of choice is). I argue the points that are on the table, not yell profanities along with "I love <drug>!! LOL!" When I make a statement, I put my intellect into that statement. I feel that companies would be interested at seeing a dissenting viewpoint and how it is argued rather than automatically dismiss that person as being a vagrant.

But it's not just about drug policy reform. It's any position that any of you hold that companies may take offense to. Should you silence your faith for a company that is constantly at odds with extremist religious groups? What about arguing for gay rights when a company could dismiss you because they don't want a homosexual at the workplace? (Assuming gay rights works the same way as drug reform where the company in question assumes that a gay rights activist is gay)

Are we willing to conform that far? To give up who we truly are just to get a job? It seems silly to think of a company that only accepts Worker A and not people, a company that doesn't want difference and diversity, but in reality, companies are so overloaded with resumes that that's exactly what happens.

Folks, squelching diversity of thought is NOT promising for companies. If they throw away talent based on that person's political, religious or social viewpoints, all they'll be left with is workers who are too afraid to voice their own opinion or too similar to society to care. You need diversity at a workplace to encourage a social atmosphere. Yes, you need intellectualism, so if your political views are different, back them up with well-thought-out and sound arguments or even counter-argue others (civilly).

I can understand when a company doesn't want a person with a short fuse. But this goes too far. And hey, in the end, you may see this note disappear along with my allegiance to various groups and notes that I have written in support of various policies or in counter-argument to others. You may not be able to find a blog at all or watch me disappear entirely. A job is a job. Money is survival. It just seems such a shame to sacrifice our personal liberty to get it.

So what should we do? Thanks for reading!