Students use plenty of different platforms to build our professional networks. The biggest of which would be LinkedIn, where we can build our network of peers in our field, or at our school, and then expand into our field to find professionals and potential future employers. Another big platform right now is TikTok. On TikTok, you can search and find creators from around the world that create content specifically about your industry or field. On facebook and reddit, you can find specific forums and groups to discuss and communicate various ideas related to our fields to learn, and grow our network.
To expand our PLN, we can consider joining more online communities, especially by starting with the broad subject, and then joining more and more that are more niche and specific. We can register or attend online events such as webinars, workshops, or conferences. This way we can interact and engage with tons of people in our field, while learning about a specific subject. We can also look for mentors nearby or far away, that are experts within our field, so we can learn 1:1 from someone, while building a strong relationship and expanding our network.
In reference to privacy and security, use your common sense. Don’t share inappropriate or explicit images of yourself online, and keep your personal information to yourself. Think about your online presence as a glassdoor into your life. Share your work, share your passions, share positive comments and ideas. Think twice before you post your personal phone number, home address, license plate, or credit card number online. Once you post something, it’s out there forever, so don’t think that deleting it will make it go away forever. Make sure you are safe and check the credibility of people who reach out to you. Although we are always excited to grow our network, there are tons of scams that see students as their prime subjects. If someone reaches out to you with what seems like the perfect job offer and over the top offers, check out their business and network. You might find their account was made yesterday, and a billion people got identical messages to you.
I can create a good identity and reputation online by sharing lots about my accomplishments and reputation. I can show off my strengths and brand myself as an amazing candidate for whatever job I’m looking for. I can present my personality, and give body to my identity to show people I’m a genuine person. For reputation, I can be active online and comment, like, reach out, and continue learning from people to leave little positive footprints all over other people’s pages online.
If I applied for a job, an employer would see I have a lot going on. They would see I play the cello, and water polo, and that I am passionate for education. They would see I love my family and friends, and have a sense of humour when I communicate. They would see that I have hobbies, like cooking and photography, and that I have fantastic reviews from other educators on my ability as a teacher. I would hope that they would see all this and assess that I am a complete person, not secluded to one field or subject, but open to everything.
