Weekly Blog Posts 3

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

They are many digital platforms that student using to develop their professional network. For example Facebook, Instagram is very popular for students to expand their personal learning networks. Students can get professional information and news. Another digital platform that students might use is LinkedIn, students can also use Facebook to sign up for an account for LinkedIn. What I can see here, all the information online is connected. I don’t use LinkedIn as I don’t have a lot of work experience yet. But I do use Instagram to develop my professional network. We can also set up a business account for the Instagram account. As for me, I set up another Instagram account for my dog and share pictures with others. However, I do see other people set up their pets’ accounts as a business account. Because they take professional pets pictures. When other people see it, they might need professional pictures for their pets as well. In this case, we can see how the business account working on Instagram.

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

When I consider expanding my professional learning network, LinkedIn comes up to my mind. And I notice that this is a very good way to start to expand my professional learning network. So I created an account right away. LinkedIn can not only put down our Institution information but also can write down our work experience. This is a connection between our school life to our work in the future. As for a student right now, we are all taking online courses. We can see the importance of using digital platforms right now. Another thing that I consider to expand my professional learning network is to join an online community. I believe our class chat on Mattermost can be considered as an online community. We all share information and thoughts on there. It provides professional development resources, and it is a great place to start networking.

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

As for my network. I create my digital identity by the posts or pictures that I post on my personal account. I allowed other people to comment on the posts. I am always using Instagram to create my digital identity online. Because I usually post pictures on Instagram to share my daily life. For example, I post the beautiful places that I have been to and also the food that I would like to share with other people. One of the tools that I use to build my digital identity is e-mail. I use e-mail every day and it is very convenient to discuss something with other people. This is also considered as a professional way of networking. The social networks also help me to build my digital identity, and I believe Instagram is an excellent place to show my digital identity.

• 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?

I  think a local employer might search for my information online when I applied for a job with them. I believe the first result that comes up is LinkedIn. As the details of the past work experience will come up and also the previous school information. I believe this is what they looking for to hire an employee. My Instagram account is also public as it connected with my other social media as well. Many pictures will also come up if they search for my information online. I think it will benefit my career path because all the information and pictures give them a better understanding of me. Many employers will also look at the employee’s personality. With the pictures on Instagram, I think the employer might know me better compared to the resume. I don’t see that it hinders the opportunity of employment.