Blog Post #3: VR Mapping and Reflections

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

In my own experience, and from observing friends and peers, students are taking advantage of many different platforms to develop their professional networks. Gone are the days where a degree alone can guarantee a job. Now, it is important to make connections and meet with new people. This is especially important in careers that rely on teamwork or collaboration. Currently, I have seen students use LinkedIn to share professional and academic achievements, using it as a personal resume of sorts. I think my generation is shifting away from Facebook these days, but there is definitely still room on that platform to work on your professional network. Personally, I keep my Facebook reserved for friends and family, keeping it as personal use, but in the past I have used it to connect with residents with my job as a Community Leader at UVIC.

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

A way to expand my professional learning network would be to connect with fellow students in my classes. In this pandemic-era, it can feel difficult to expand your networks and meet new people. Meeting people through a screen is not always ideal, however, it is best to make the most of the current reality and try and make connections. For instance, participating in forums, joining Discord servers (for my program, Political Science, there is a discord server for each course), or posting on Reddit, are all ways to meet people with common interests at UVic. From there, I can connect with the people I have met on my professional networks such as LinkedIn.

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

One of the unique factors about creating a digital identity is that it can be tailored towards your academics or professional goals. For instance, someone interested in politics make create a digital identity by using Twitter to comment on current events, or by creating a blog to share their thoughts. Someone who wants to advance their artistic career could start an art page on Instagram. An advantage of this is that Instagram allows businesses to sell directly from their page, so if you have a small business, you can advertise and sell through one platform.  Another example could be a student photographer who posts their portfolio as albums on Facebook.

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?

It is most likely that a local employer would see my LinkedIn profile and my Twitter, as those are the two PLNs I have on public viewing settings. My LinkedIn has been curated to make a good impression on employers, with regular updates and a professional headshot, so I would like to think it would benefit my career path. My Twitter page is mostly for personal use, but I make sure to keep my content appropriate and family-friend, so as not to hinder any employment opportunities. I might consider making my Twitter private in the future as I enter the workforce full-time.