Generation TikTok’s future will be plagued by a significant vulnerability

Last week, I gave some ⁣New Year’s resolutions, specifically⁣ for women on the internet.

One of those resolutions was ⁤to stop engaging in the trend known ⁣as “trauma dumping.” Trauma dumping, as‌ I‍ explained, is ‍when ⁢women record themselves as⁢ they’re going through an emotional moment — sharing, as they say, “vulnerable stories” or ⁣private instances⁣ of their lives for all⁤ the world to see. The unspoken goal of trauma ⁤dumping is to receive praise for their vulnerability.

A recent trauma-dumping offender who came to my attention is​ a‍ girl named ‌Brittany ​Pietsch. Pietsch worked for a company called Cloudflare, and ​after receiving an invite to a virtual‍ meeting with her superiors,⁢ she realized​ that⁤ she was about to get laid ‍off because of her performance. So, ⁢before the meeting, she did her hair and makeup ‌and‌ set up her phone to record herself being let go — again, because of her poor‌ performance. Pietsch was a sales rep, and when⁤ you⁣ are in sales, you have to sell. She was, however, unable to do ⁣that.

But never fear! TikTok is here. Not shockingly, Pietsch has a TikTok, so she took to her account‍ to give her own spin on this situation,​ claiming she is actually the victim in ⁤this situation. That’s right: ‌Though she‍ was unable to do her job, she’s the victim. In this nine-minute long TikTok, a Cloudflare employee tells her they have finished reviewing performance evaluations and‍ since Pietsch did not meet expectations, they have decided to part ways with⁤ her.

Pietsch holds up her hand and says, “I’m⁣ going to stop you right there.” She explains she⁣ started⁤ in August, underwent a⁢ three-month ramp, and only worked three weeks in December before Christmas. She claims to have “the ⁢highest activity” on her team and continues by saying, “I have had three contracts out, done a really great job managing my deals up until the very ⁤end.” As it turns out, ⁣those three deals did not close. Regardless, Pietsch says she just does not think ending her time with Cloudflare makes​ any sense.

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Let me ⁢stop her right there. Cloudflare letting Pietsch go actually makes plenty of sense. In her interrupting response, she basically says a lot of nothing. What activity is she referring ‌to? She doesn’t specify. Phone calls?⁣ Because if so, that is not how she’s being evaluated. Their performance evaluations are based⁤ on the employee’s‍ ability to close deals, which she self-proclaims that she has not done. Despite the ‍fact she ‌got‍ contracts out over this three-month⁣ ramp period, she was still ⁣unable to ⁣close a deal. Then she seems to think that because it was Christmas,‌ Cloudflare should ⁢be more forgiving. In actuality, ‍the end of the year‌ is when most deals tend to close. ⁢It sounds like Pietsch ⁤just wasn’t ​doing her job.

But, no⁣ matter. She took to TikTok to proclaim herself the victim, using the ​word “traumatizing” in the caption — the‍ same video in which she checks⁣ her appearance​ to make sure she ⁤looks ⁤ok. This is incredibly performative; it’s not vulnerable. Yet people still affirmed Pietsch’s ⁣sentiments about herself in their responses in the comments telling⁤ her she ​is, indeed, the victim. Why? Well, because it’s TikTok and also because, ⁤apparently, TikTokers just‌ love ‌a good trauma dump.

People ⁢have at least pointed to the fact⁢ that ⁢according to her LinkedIn, Pietsch has⁤ a history of working in sales but she doesn’t seem to⁢ be able to hold a job ​for longer‍ than a year. That is evidence for any employer — who ‌isn’t in her TikTok generation ‌— ⁤that⁣ maybe this is an⁢ issue.⁣ Maybe Pietsch, despite being concerned with her hair and makeup, actually ⁣just is not very ​good at her jobs.

Generation TikTok does not understand that the internet is forever. Pietsch may have racked up the the likes ⁤and views she wanted for her TikTok, but now, when a future employer does a simple ‍Google search for her, this video is what they will find — a video of a young woman ‌who decided to secretly ⁢record the company ⁢she ⁣worked for because they did what most‍ companies do: They fire people who are‌ not performing well. Inevitably, this won’t bode well⁣ for her future. Secretly recording your ⁣company? That’s not trustworthy. ​Not taking ownership of your work? That’s not responsible.

The question I keep returning to as we reflect on the past and simultaneously look to the future while⁣ beginning‌ a new year‌ is:⁣ Are we creating better human beings? Unfortunately, I⁣ think the answer is, obviously not.

How does the​ ability to⁤ close deals⁤ and generate ‍revenue impact an⁣ individual’s performance in a sales role ‍and the overall success of ‌a company?

⁢ Ble ​to ‍close those deals, which ultimately affects her performance and the company’s success. It is not ‌enough⁤ to simply ‍have contracts out;⁣ the ⁢ability to close deals⁣ and generate revenue is crucial‍ in ⁢a sales role.

Pietsch’s attempt to portray herself as ⁢the victim in this situation is misguided and self-serving. Instead of taking responsibility for her poor performance and using it as an opportunity⁣ for‌ growth and self-improvement, she⁣ chooses to ‌blame the ​company and‍ present herself as a victim of unfair treatment.

This type⁤ of ⁣behavior, where individuals seek validation and sympathy by sharing their ⁣personal hardships ⁣online,‌ is becoming increasingly​ common on social media platforms. It is ​concerning because it perpetuates a culture‍ of victimhood ⁢and undermines personal accountability.

While⁣ it is⁢ important ⁢to ⁢create ⁤spaces where individuals can share their experiences and seek support, trauma ‌dumping​ is not the solution. It not only⁤ diminishes the⁤ seriousness of real trauma but also detracts from ‌the⁣ personal responsibility and⁣ resilience needed for growth and progress.

It is essential for women on the⁣ internet, and all ⁢individuals, to⁤ approach life’s challenges with a mindset focused ​on ⁣personal growth, self-improvement, ‌and accountability. Instead of seeking validation and sympathy from​ others, it is more‌ productive‍ to reflect on our‍ own actions and choices, learn‌ from our mistakes, and ⁤strive ​to do better.

In‌ conclusion, trauma dumping is a⁣ harmful trend that encourages individuals, particularly women,⁢ to ‍seek‍ validation and⁤ sympathy by sharing their personal hardships online. It undermines personal accountability and⁣ hinders growth⁢ and progress. It is important to shift our focus towards personal responsibility, resilience, and⁤ self-improvement, rather than seeking external validation.