As one of the most influential companies in the world, Facebook drives change in several aspects of society. Some of these changes have been met with criticism, as there are ethical concerns over some of its operations. Despite these concerns, I would accept a job at Facebook for the following reasons.
By being aware of the controversies surrounding Facebook, accepting a Facebook position would provide me with an opportunity to work from within to advocate for meaningful improvements. The article touches on the Harvard Psilocybin Project, where the project was shut down due to ethical concerns. Whether the Psilocybin Project was ethical or not, it was the voice of Harvard professors who pushed against the project that resulted in the project’s termination. This demonstrates how reforms can be made from within an organization. As an employee of Facebook, I could have a chance to make some positive changes rather than avoiding the issues altogether.
In addition, I would stand by my personal values while working at Facebook. The article discusses that people can work for companies with ethical complexities by abiding by their moral beliefs. If Facebook were to ask me to do something that directly conflicts with my own ethical standards, such as exploiting user data, I would take a stand against it. It is possible to work in a large corporation while upholding my personal integrity.
Finally, I resonate with the following argument stated in the article: “You can, however, argue that you have a still more compelling duty to provide for your family and loved ones.” Working at Facebook would offer financial stability and allow me to build a foundation for my future. Although Facebook has received much ethical scrutiny, my priority and responsibility would be to ensure that I can support myself and potentially a future family. Balancing personal ethics and practical needs can be possible at Facebook.
