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Can your PLN be used to help professional development post-course?

Over the last few months, I have learned how to make a PLN and keep it updated to give myself a strong presence in the professional world. This course has allowed me to grasp the full context of what makes a strong PLN and how to maintain it. As this semester is coming to an end, this is just the start of my presence in the world of PLN. Finding a job post-graduate can be challenging for many, however, creating a strong PLN and building up your professional connections while still completing your degree is a great way to start. There is a quote that I have heard from many individuals in my life that justifies the importance of a PLN. “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know” (Unknown). Knowledge can always be learned however the opportunity may not always be there. Ensuring your PLN is strong with professional connections opens doors that you may have never thought of despite your intelligence in the selected field. Often it is getting the first foot in the door that can be the most challenging. Ensuring that my PLN is up to date and full of connections will give me the best possible chance at new opportunities.  This course has given me insight into the in-depths of building the professional network that I believe will be useful for my career. The material within this course is the most applicable to real-life scenarios among other courses as it makes my classmates and me move out of our comfort zone to engage with new professional audiences that will help us in the future. Reflecting on the semester that I have had in this course I can say that I am confident with my skills in building my PLN and I am excited for what the future of my PLN holds.

Can your PLN be relied on to open professional opportunities?

Having a PLN that is up to date and has many professional connections is a great way to open the door to new professional opportunities, however, individuals should not just rely on their digital PLN to open new opportunities. Talked about in the Wakelet podcast is virtual networking vs in-person networking. Dyann Wilson states that some of the best connections she has made are in person because you get to really know them (Wilson, 17:30, 2022). Amy Storer adds to the discussion that  “The best learning can happen right down the hall, outside of the conference room” (Storer, 18:50, 2022). I believe that relying on your PLN in the digital space is equally as important in the real world. Mentioned in this discussion by both women is that different individuals approach networking in different ways. Introverted and extroverted individuals differ in their online vs in person interactions however it is when you put yourself out there that you will see connections starting to be made. PLNs can be relied on to open professional opportunities; however, once these opportunities have been given, the individual must have the interpersonal skills to maintain the opportunity and create something of it. 

References 

YouTube. (2022, August 11). The benefits of Growing Your Network & PLN! | #thewakeletpodcast. YouTube. Retrieved November 28, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEa8JgAE_qM 

Here is my final project I did with my brother Fritz Petersen. We decided to show our knowledge through the form of a podcast. In this episode, we touch on different social media platforms for showcasing your PLN, how you measure the success of ones PLN, and how it ties into your digital identity as well as protecting your privacy.

This project was exciting to record as it was my first experience speaking in a podcast form. Editing and making sure the speaking points were clear and concise was a challenge but well worth it in the end!

Works cited:

Lui, S. (2022, June 6). Sophie Lui – Edci 338. YouTube. Retrieved November 21, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfcXgKLzOVM  

Burkard, Chris (2022) https://www.instagram.com/chrisburkard/?hl=en

Open dialogues about media literacy and factual information can create conflict; why does this happen?

In the video interview with Julia Smith, media literacy is best described by her as the constant questioning of the media we consume (Smith, 2021). The conflict around media literacy is a result of individuals not being media literate. Having this skill to question things like the news as well as information online is something that many people do not possess. The term push news and pull news is what we are experiencing today. Prior to the 21st century, we had few news sources informing us. Now we have thousands, and news corporations are trying to grasp our attention to attract views and a following (Smith, 2021). We see conflict when we chose what we want to hear and ignore the opposition. Individuals will choose what they would like to believe resulting in conflict between certain truths. It is not until we look at topics and ideas from a non-biased point of view that we will see conflict being resolved. This starts with being media literate 

What is the benefit of having a PLN that values media literacy?

Smith mentions that one of the most important pieces to a PLN that values media literacy is having a wide variety of perspectives from individuals within your PLN. Smith says “It is having objective voices who can provide you with rational guidance when you might be emotionally worked up” (Smith, 2021). Feedback from media-literate individuals is valued because it is the feedback you can trust and grow from. A PLN that is diverse in its beliefs gives the individual a different look at topics. This results in new information learned and well rounds their understanding of the world. Having a PLN that cannot distinguish differences between certain truths and statements results in an enclosed PLN, weakening chances of growth and learning.

References:

Smith, J. (2021, June 6). EDCI 338 – media literacy with Julie Smith. YouTube. Retrieved November 17, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57r3-aEnci0 

Explore the video provided and reflect on the themes and questions above reflecting on how you would curate your social media with a critical public audience. 

Curating your social media with a critical public audience can be hard, however, it is necessary when you have a role in the public eye. In this video, it is mentioned that Lui uses Twitter for her career-based sharing and then a private Instagram for her personal use. Separating the two is a great way to go about this because it allows for separation from work and personal life. That way individuals who may not like your presence within the public audience won’t be able to see your personal life. If I was in a public audience this is how I would go about my life. This example as talked about is often seen in young adults and teenagers as they will have multiple Instagram accounts, one being the one where they showcase themselves to the large majority of users and then one account for a select few. This is not necessarily just a strategy that individuals in the public audience use but rather a popular one amongst most social media users.

Identify the risks and benefits of engaging with a public audience in a media space – what are the risks for a public figure or person in a position of trust (educator, lawyer, government official)?  

Engaging with a public audience through a media space can have many benefits, however, it can also land the individual in criticism and backlash. Media in today’s day and age can be a sensitive area where expertise and thorough review must be taken. As talked about in the Lui (2022) interview, Lui’s profession is to share controversial topics online through television and social media. Reporters are often susceptible to backlash when sharing controversial issues. The reporter may not always agree with the topic being discussed, however, they are still on the receiving end and face this backlash. Individuals in positions such as government or lawyers will be faced with controversial decisions that will often cause public disruption. It takes well-trained individuals to be able to separate their career and their personal life. Individuals engaging with a public audience through social media sites must be aware of the challenges that come with it. Often people of power will have their social media presence on sites such as Twitter which is it more focused on short messages, rather than Instagram which is more photo and video based. 

How to best address negative replies and critiques reflective of your personal values and your employer’s social media policy?

As described in the Lui (2022) interview, Sophie Lui describes some of the ways she deals with criticism and critiques. She mentions that using the mute feature on social media platforms is an efficient way (Lui, 2022). The mute feature is great because it makes it so Lui will not see the comments while not letting the other user see that she has done this. Often users who are commenting negative things will be seeking attention, and when someone blocks them, it gives them the attention and validation they were seeking. Another way that she curates her social media is by using different sites for different purposes. She mentions that she uses Instagram for personal use whereas Twitter for professional use. The term mentioned by Lui, “Doom Scrolling” is best described as Lui scrolling through her comment sections and looking at all the feedback she has received. It is best to turn notifications off and continue to share information in a way that your values align with. 

References:

Lui, S. (2022, June 6). Sophie Lui – Edci 338. YouTube. Retrieved November 21, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfcXgKLzOVM 

Ensuring that you have a diverse and inclusive PLN is essential if you are looking to build your connections as well as grow your PLN. Diversity and inclusion widen the reach of users that you may be trying to reach. Diversity and inclusion allow for new perspectives for yourself and the users following your PLN. This opens the door to new opportunities and experiences that you may not have encountered beforehand. Individuals that have been following your PLN for some time, understand the style and way that you broadcast and share your PLN with the public. As new people come and go on your PLN, the individuals that have been around for a while are much more understanding of the information you are sharing. My personal PLN sends a different message than my peers who are involved in different fields of work and study. If individuals within your PLN are familiar with the style of work and information you are sharing, there is often a higher chance that they respect and trust the message you are trying to convey to the community.

Knowing the audience you are trying to reach is important as messages can be received in many different ways amongst different audiences within the community.  For example, sharing a message through your PLN to a community from a different cultural background than the one you are familiar with, may be received differently. It is important to be aware of this as sending the wrong message to a certain community can land you in hot water quickly. 

How would you create a PLN prior to engaging a social media campaign on a topic of your choice?

Creating your PLN before launching a social media campaign is important because when this social media campaign is launched, there is an audience that can engage with it. This engagement can involve liking, commenting, sharing and reposting. Having this strong PLN before launching a social media campaign improves the chances of it succeeding. As talked about within the Woods (2013) reading, knowing that all PLN’s are different, using Twitter and diversifying your intake of information. Understanding these steps helps get your PLN up and going. I am currently building up my PLN to make it strong before launching a a new campaign with a health and fitness company. My role working for this company will be to engage with my PLN and grow the company within my demographic. Currently I am growing my knowledge within this field of work therefor when I start with them I will be prepared for the task. As I have not started with this company yet, I believe that currently growing my PLN is the best way I can be prepared for this next challenge in my career.

Knowing that all PLN’s are different

• As inspiration from other PLN’s can be very helpful, it is important to know that everyone’s PLN’s are different. Everyone comes from a different background and is taught how to engage with people differently. We have unique skill sets that benefit us in different ways. This directly impacts your PLN as what might work for someone, may not work for you. Understandig how to use your own skillsets to create your PLN that differentiates from others is important. 

Using Twitter

• Twitter is a simple resource that can connect users from around the world. It is easy to share  little excerpts of information with your PLN. Twitter is great because it restricts the amount of character used, which makes the user only convey the most important parts of the information they are sharing. Twitter is very diverse and has everything from politics to sports which makes it appealing for many users. Expanding your PLN through Twitter allows for an engaging look into different fields within society. 

Diversifying your PLN

• Having a diverse PLN gives you a well rounded look into different people that you may not be familiar with. In the long run this helps build connections into different fields of work. You may not know what industry or field of work you may be interested in or involved with down the line. Engaging with other PLN’s outside your comfort zone will open the door to new opportunities down the line.

Woods, B. (2013) Building your own PLN : Seeking new insights and Ideas? Expand your personal learning network. Training and Development. https://go.gale.com/ps/i.dop=ITBC&u=uvictoria&id=GALE|A348998538&v=2.1&it=r&sid=summon

Which social media platforms are beneficial in education? 

As talked about from our guest speaker Brad Baker the use of social media greatly benefits the field of education. in the discussion, Miller tells us a story about a time when his peers and him interacted with an indigenous women in northern Canada. This women was using social media (Instagram) to promote and tell a story about her homeland to the public. Platforms like instagram allow the user to educate populations with a photo and a story to go along with it. She mentions that without sites like this and her promoting her experiences, they would not have the same amount of tourists and visits, which in the long run, brings money into their economy funding and helping them earn a living. Our guest speaker Baker and instructor Miller mention in their discussion that information that encompasses indigenous knowledge online is outdated. The power of education through social media is that it is current. There can be real time updates about certain educational issues within society that if posted well, can reach masses online. Education sectors that have a strong presence on social media can gain traction rapidly and get their information out to the public. The tools that we have access too are here to help us connect and share stories in our life.

When working with the vulnerable sector, how does social media fit into professionalism and regulations?

Working with the vulnerable sector can be challenging to navigate. Precautions and understanding of these sectors must be taken to tell stories correctly. As mentioned by guest Baker as an example, indigenous populations are often thought of very simple within certain areas of society. However this is not the case. Indigenous populations are often very complex and there are many topics that people outside of these populations are not faced with and simply cannot understand. Being able to share and educate populations outside of this onto social media platforms takes  professionalism and a deep understanding of the topic on hand. Regulations within the education are important for keeping information valid and online. If regulations are not followed, information will be taken down and discredited. As Baker mentions regarding change in the field of education “For change to happen, you must be vulnerable” (Baker, 2021). People must be willing to put themselves out there and explain their story to the full extent so others can grasp an understanding. It is in these powerful stories that people feel vulnerable to share, that change can happen. 

How diverse is your PLN?

My PLN prior to starting this course was not very diverse and didn’t expand too far outside of my personal reach. The people that mostly make up my PLN are everyone I have gone to high school and my closer friends from university. To widen my PLN reach, this requires being more active in the professional networking areas of society and engaging in making new online connections. Having a diverse PLN gives a person perspective into areas they might not be familiar with which can widen and grow your perspective of how you see the professional world. It is important to meet individuals from all different walks of life. This opens doors to areas and experiences that one may mot have had if they haven’t diversified their PLN. After being in this course just over a month now I can say that I am making the steps forward to diversify my PLN and make new connections. One of these steps is actively browsing new connections on LinkedIn that are outside of my intermediate personal reach. Another one is being an active student on campus, attending networking events like clubs and public speakers. During the first week of class I attended the UVic club fair where I was able to engage in good conversation with like-minded individuals with all different interests. Going to these events and putting myself out there is a great way to diversify my PLN. 

I think that I am slowly learning from diversifying my PLN. As I am only just over a month into paying attention to my PLN and actively making progressive steps forward I think that I have started and will start to see more results down the line. Measuring how diverse a persons PLN can be tricky because what may be diverse to one individual is different from another individual considers diverse. As there is an up and coming election, expanding your horizons on different candidates is a great way to learn and expand your views as an individual. Personally I have been following a few different candidates on professional networking sites to compare and contrast the different viewpoints. As I have recently started paying a strong attention to these changes and new voices, over time is when I think I will really start to understand what information is being implied. 

What is a learning outcome of your PLN and how are you insuring your exposure to diversity and inclusion?

With one year left in my undergraduate degree I would like to expand my PLN as much as I can to give myself the best shot at success for my professional career after university. I would like to engage with fellow classmates in all the departments of my courses to gain a wide variety of connections for the future. Having a strong PLN going into my career gives me the opportunity to connect with individuals down the line in different careers.I think it is important to make connections with individuals outside of your major because these individuals have had a different viewpoint on the world for the last 4-5 studying different subjects. Being able to see different sides to each situation will help me with my exposure to diversity and inclusion. Diversifying your PLN is easy, you must immerse yourself in new social situations and you will slowly see the results. 

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

Students are using digital platforms to promote their digital identity that are intuitive and easy to use. One of these digital platforms is LinkedIn. This platform gives the user many different options and is the gateway source for building up their professional digital identities. With the many different features on LinkedIn, it helps connect users with a wide variety of skills across a wide range of industries and fields. Personally I think LinkedIn is a great platform for building my digital identity because it gives myself practice writing professional pieces and sharing articles. As students are not involved in the workforce as heavily as someone who is done with school. It is important to build these skills now to develop good habits for the future. 

 What could the student consider in expanding their professional learning network?  

Being on these social platforms allows for students to play around and get a feel for the tools o that when they graduate they have a strong digital identity and the proper skill set to take with them to the work force. Attending campus events such as public speakers and social events is one way to grow your professional network when attending university. Often, you will grow connections in settings that you would have never expected. It is important to put yourself out there, which gives you the chance to make new professional connections. The person you interact with at one of these events could be the one hiring you down the line. 

How does data privacy and security limit and/or promote a PLN?

Data and privacy are two major sectors of a personal learning network. It is important that users promoting their digital identity understand the risks that come with using these platforms. Large companies and corporations often have tools that can search the internet for any information that relates to your identity. Wether this is a social media account linked to your name, or being associated with these other accounts. Everything posted online is trackable. When social media accounts promoting a different digital identity that a personal PLN, it can hinder employment opportunities and future professional relationships. Creating a strong digital identity that also supports and links to a PLN is what employers like to see. This gives them strong confidence that you may be good for a role in a company. Often on social media platforms there are concerns over the use of personal privacy and where personal information will be stored and shared. If we look at public figures on social platforms, we often see that they have one digital identity that aligns with their professional learning network across social platforms. Influential figures will often remain off certain social platforms due to the concern over privacy and security. Creating a strong reputation means being consistent with the content that is posted as well as having the content create discussions and engagement within the followers therefore the users know what is coming from you. 

What is a digital identity? 

Digital identity is how we portray ourselves on the internet. Whether this is social media apps, blog sites, Internet forums. We create this version of ourselves that we broadcast online. As we are learning through social media every day, digital identities are often the best, or a flawed version of an individual. This is the common trend with social media these days. A digital identity is often what employers will look to first when they are looking to hire someone. With the tap of a button, someone can gain access to your entire digital identity. It is important you understand the power that comes with creating a digital identity.

How do personal versus professional approaches to digital identity affect social media use?

Both of these approaches have a general similarity, they are often trying to be the best version the user imagines themselves as, whether this for professional or personal useIn a professional setting the user is trying to markets themselves to their believed target audience. This could be them advertising their skill sets, marketing things they are working on, or networking with other like minded individuals. The user may hold back on sharing about his personal life as it may affect his ability with a future employer down the line. When using social media for personal use it’s important to remember this. “Is this appropriate for my future employer to see?”. Everything that is shared to social media is on the internet forever. Being conscientious of what is posted online is the best way to go about it. Both approaches to digital identity share similarities.

How do digital identities converge in networked publics- What are the impacts and/or benefits?

Digital identities are great for converging in public networks as they give others a sense of who they are interacting without having to met in person. This helps the users network and build relationships for future clients or employers. Everyone has a different reaction to digital identities therefore, someone could look at your digital identity and make an assumption about your profile. This can be impactful and judgemental of others but it often works for the better rather than for worse. If someone likes the digital identity you have showcased then you can grow this into a personal interaction with them. Expanding your digital identity increases your chances for career growth as you can reach new people and new possibilities that you wouldn’t be able to do in person.