For this week we had to create are own VR maps, shared below is mine, with this week’s questions following.

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

The most common digital platform in today’s society is LinkedIn. On this platform, individuals can upload their resumes and information about themselves, post, connect with other individuals and companies, seek jobs and much more. This application is most used specifically among university students, as they can connect with each other and meet contacts through connections of the university and much more. Compared to all other applications, LinkedIn seems to be the best option in creating a professional network as that is the applications specific focus, whereas someone could use Instagram or Facebook to professionally network, however they are not advertised in that specific way.

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

There are many things a student could consider in expanding their professional network:

  1. What their digital footprint already looks like: In trying to expand and showcase professionalism, it is important for the student to see what information about them is already out there and can be seen by the public.
  2. What they are trying to get across: It is important for the student to determine what they are trying to portray, what experience they have, what qualifications they have, and also determine what they are wanting other professionals to see about them and what they are seeking themselves.
  3. Communication skills: The student should consider working on professional communication skills, as well as also connecting with other professionals, companies, or institutes and maintaining those relationships.

How an employer would respond if you applied for a job with them and they assessed your social media presence via your digital identity?

I think that if an employer were to assess my social media presence they would not see anything alarming. Most of my accounts are private, and in the past couple years I have started posting nearly nothing just in terms of living a more private day to day life. Previous posts have been either with friends, families, places I’ve visited and such. I have googled my name before as well to see what comes up and while there are many others with the same name as me, the first thing that I see pop up is my LinkedIn.