What digital platforms are students currently using to develop their professional network?
Personally, my friends and I use professional social media platforms such as LinkedIn. LinkedIn is a platform used predominantly for networking with professionals from across the globe. LinkedIn allows us to create a page consisting of information regarding our education, work experiences, qualifications, recognitions, and volunteer experiences. By using LinkedIn my friends and I have been able to seek and receive employment opportunities, as well as build connections with professionals in our respective fields, thereby developing our professional network.
What can you (as a student) consider to expand your professional learning network?
There are many strategies I could employ to expand my professional learning network. One method could be to connect with alumni from a school you attended and colleagues from past work experiences. Additionally, following people that you look up to professionally may also be beneficial in expanding one’s professional learning network. When connecting with these individuals it may be beneficial for students to share some information regarding their education, work experience, goals, as well as a common interest that is shared by you and the person you are connecting with.
In your network, how can you create a digital identity/reputation?
In my professional network, I can create my digital identity and reputation by following pages of groups, organizations, companies that I am interested in. I can also make my profile unique by sharing information that is unique to me and also present my information in a way that is unique and visually appealing (Balkhi, 2021). Posting and sharing engaging content may also be beneficial in creating a digital identity as it will allow more users to find your profile and connect with you (Balkhi, 2021).
Consider what a local employer would do if you applied for a job with them – can they search the content, is it of benefit to the career path, does it hinder the opportunity of employment?
A local employer could search for content regarding the employer. When searching for information regarding the candidate the employer may come across professional and personal information regarding the candidate. If the personal information that the employer sees is something that they disagree with, it may impact your chances of being hired. Therefore, I believe that it is of paramount importance that personal accounts and kept private as they reduce chances of hindering your chances of employment. However, allowing a professional account to remain public may increase your chances of being hired, as the employer could learn more about your qualifications and past experiences.
References:
Balkhi, S. (2021, April 22). How to Network on LinkedIn Like a Pro. Business.Com. https://www.business.com/articles/linkedin-networking-tips/
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