This week’s blog post was based on how to engage our PLN. I found this week especially engaging as this week’s guest currently works in my field of study in Health IT, Amber Glauser. 

Can your PLN be relied on to open professional opportunities and on which platform does your emerging expertise get good exposure?

Based on my current PLN I’ve developed over the years, I believe I have curated strong networks that would be open to professional opportunities. As I’ve worked a couple of co-op’s in health IT, I have networked with many in this field that could help boost my professional career. The platform I’ve connected with is mainly on LinkedIn – it is the easiest method in connecting with others with similar interests as well as further expanding my network based on my peer’s connections. As Amber mentioned, when making new connections, it can be particularly useful to play the ‘game’ of finding who we have in common and how we are crossing paths in other areas. This helps build a credible network, especially when having mutual networks within our PLN. I believe my emerging expertise gets good exposure on LinkedIn as it is the main platform for networking in my field (aside from Twitter). Although Twitter would be another exceptional networking platform, it is hard to gain credible networks unless you actively engaging in conversation.

This brings us to the next question: Can I leverage my PLN for future endeavors? 

I’ve briefly noted this in the previous question however I will restate my answer. Yes, I believe I can leverage my PLN for my future endeavors as I’ve created strong connections. As my program is fairly small, we are encouraged to connect with one another during the time period of applying for our first co-op. In most cases, these students stay in the HINF program; however, there are many students that have left the program in pursuit of other areas. This has been particularly beneficial as I was able to work a more ‘business’ role in my second co-op based on the connection I made with a former HINF student. I strongly believe that anyone that has made the effort in networking can leverage their PLN for future opportunities. 

To add to this note, Amber noted that her networks created were able to fast-track her career opportunities. She was a nurse working under a thoracic surgeon in which she wouldn’t have been able to gain that experience (within the time scope it happened) without her network.

A way I go out of my comfort zone in ways to expand my PLN is networking during a job. As someone that is more introverted than extroverted (I’d say I’m an introverted extrovert), talking to new people can be difficult and out of my comfort zone. During my co-ops, I would sit next to a ‘random’ during my lunch break and try and get to know them. Amber noted ‘Having an open mind when meeting new people and seeing what they can teach me’ can be very beneficial especially being new to the industry. I find this out of my comfort zone as I don’t want to feel as though I’m a ‘pain’ or ‘bother’ however, 9 times out of 10, these people are more than happy to share their experiences. 

Overall, I think all these networking opportunities and my PLN can help my professional development.  

EDCI_338. (2020, November 15). EDCI 338 A01 – Amber Glauser. YouTube. https://youtu.be/RiWaXNfnHAg