• What digital platforms are students currently using to develop their professional network?

Facebook is the most popular social media platform with roughly 2.3 billion users worldwide. The vast number of users on the platform makes it an easy place to build a professional network. Even though Facebook seems like a good choice for networking, it doesn’t have the professional image that other platforms brand themselves on. I believe the most common platform that students are currently using is Linkedin. Linkedin is mainly used for users to professionally network, post job listings, and for job seekers to post their CV’s. Myself and all my friends are active users on linked in, with a couple of them currently working for jobs that they found on the platform.

  • What can you (as a student) consider to expand your professional learning network?

Some tips I found to expand your professional learning network on any platform was on the website TeachThought. TeachThought suggests over 20 ways to expand your professional learning network. A couple suggestions I liked were to designate a professional and a private networking account, and to not be afraid to ask questions (TeachThought, 2017). Having a professional and a personal account keeps certain groups seeing the right information, for example, you wouldn’t want your boss seeing your golf trip over the weekend (2017). Not being scare to ask questions is very important for a PLN, because after all it is about learning (2017).

  • In your network, how can you create a digital identity/reputation?

It is super easy to create a digital identity in the times we live with social platform being so accessible by phone. A couple ideas that I found to be helpful to create a digital identity were to be clear about your goals, decide where to leave your footprint, identify exactly who you plan to put forward and when, what type of content to publish, and finally develop your voice (Bogle, 2019). Using these key building steps assures that your digital identity is built for your target group.

  • 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?

An employer would most likely read my cover letter, go over my resume, and view my linked in profile. It is good to have a professional and private digital identity in the event that your employer searches your name (TeachThought, 2017). Again, you wouldn’t want your future employer to see your golf trip with your friends the previous weekend.

 

References

20 Ways To Improve Your Professional Learning Network In 2013, TeachThought. (2017, October 31). Retrieved October 18, 2020, from https://www.teachthought.com/education/20-ways-to-improve-your-professional-learning-network/

Bogle, J. (2019, March 13). How to Create a Digital Identity: Beyond Branding. Retrieved October 18, 2020, from https://www.idealist.org/en/careers/create-digital-identity-branding