Blog #3

This blog post will cover personal digital identity vs. professional digital identity. To learn more about and what personal and professional digital identities are, check out Blog #2. This post is in reference to the reading and videos from this weeks content.

The first paragraph will answer the following:

• What digital platforms are students currently using to develop their professional network?
• What can you (as a student) consider to expand your professional learning network (PLN)?
• In your network, how can you create a digital identity/reputation?

Following:

• 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?

In today’s society, students have a number of resources available to create and develop a professional network. First, there is the ‘old-school’ approach to creating a professional network face-to-face. This is done through networking events, peers, and networking with professionals in the industry – such as professors and employers. Further, students are then able to connect via. online to solidify their network. Another approach students use is solely creating a professional network online. Most frequently, this is done through LinkedIn, Twitter, professional Facebook, or email platforms. Students use LinkedIn as profile enhancing workshops are commonly available. With the knowledge gained from the workshops, students are able to customize their profiles and confidently post/share ideas on LinkedIn to expand their PLN. Frequent posts, engaging in conversation, and reaching out are the most effective in expanding a PLN. Not only will this approach expand your PLN but enhance and form your digital identity. For example, there are profiles on Facebook groups, youtube, etc. that comment/spam other accounts. This gives the user a bad reputation and hinders their digital identity. On the contrary, some profiles on LinkedIn share valuable resources, workshop events, etc. which shows their network that they are a reliable source and boosts their digital identity/reputation. With good standing, profiles will be able to quickly expand their PLN. 

The next question will address what a local employer could do with an applicant’s personal/professional digital identity. As the internet is accessible to everyone, employers are able to search up an applicant during the selection processes. Hopefully, the applicant has reviewed their digital identity and ensured no content can hinder their profile. Typically, LinkedIn profiles are public and anyone can view their posts. In the majority of cases, this can be a benefit to the applicant if they are applying to a job related to their interests/field. However, in the case the employer searches the application on other platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter and the content is inappropriate/ the user settings were not configured properly, this can greatly hinder their chances of being selected. 

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V&R Map created through http://experimental.worldcat.org/vandrmapping/signIn