What digital platforms are students currently using to develop their professional network?
Currently, some digital platforms are using widely to develop students’ professional network, such as LinkedIn, Zoom, and Twitter. LinkedIn is an invaluable site for career development and professional networking. It not only allows users to manage and showcase their professional identity, but also allows them to engage with their professional network and online community. Also, since the pandemic, Zoom has become one of the most popular social media tools for students not only in their online learning, but also to develop their professional network. This digital tool allows users to make professional connections remotely and communicate with other people synchronously; therefore, it will be better and more effective for them to build and develop their professional network. Moreover, Twitter can be a useful digital tool for students to develop their professional network as well. There are a variety of professional accounts on Twitter. Students can easily connect with professionals by following their accounts so that they will get latest news and develop their professional network.
What could the student consider in expanding their professional learning network?
In my opinion, in order to expand students’ professional learning network, they could consider more about how to keep their posts active in their digital tools. If they want to stand out, they could add to their profile or posts as often as they can with their personal experience or ideas. Also, they could follow some professional accounts on digital tools and build connection or interaction with professionals.
How does data privacy and security limit and/or promote a PLN?
In my point of view, the data privacy and security may limit a PLN. The personal information and data trails that we leave on websites or social media tools might be of great interest to other third-party applications for marketing and/or other purposes. Therefore, I think users should pay more attention to privacy setting. Also, when we create accounts on some digital tools, we also gave them access to our names, phone numbers, locations, and/or other personal information. It may also bring the risks of our security.
In your network, how can you create a digital identity/ reputation?
In our network, there are several ways that we can use to create our digital identity and/or reputation. Firstly, we should be clear about our goals. Our goal may be connect with like-minded individuals. A clear goal will be quite useful and effective for us to create and develop our digital identity. Second, we should decide where to leave our footprint. We don’t need to be everywhere in order to have a strong digital presence; instead, by being targeted with our choices, we may have the better opportunity to build community among our connections (2019).
Consider how an employer would respond if you applied for a job with them and they assessed your social media presence via your digital identity.
For me, I always pay attention to what I posted on my social media tools and most of my accounts are not shown publicly. Therefore, if I applied for a job with employers, I don’t think they would find too much content from my digital tools. Personally, I do not like to showcase my personal lives and experience with other people in public as well. However, I know that some employers may use social media to judge their potential employees; therefore, in the future, I may showcase my professional identity and values on some professional platforms, such as LinkedIn and Twitter.
Reference
How to Create a Digital Identity (2019). Retrieved from: https://www.idealist.org/en/careers/create-digital-identity-branding
There are many interesting points in your post. I think you are right that privacy and security can limit a PLN. A person might feel hesitant to put their information on some accounts. For example, LinkedIn asks for a lot of information, and if a person does not want to put that information in, then they will miss out on having access to such a great platform for networking and connecting with people. There is a balance a person has to choose when they want to expand their PLN but also keep their privacy.