Blog #2- Personal Digital Identity vs Professional Digital Identity

I struggled with where to put things on my map. I have realized I use a lot of apps for personal use and also a lot as a visitor as well. I use my phone a lot as it is my agenda, a way for me to quickly google something if I have a question and I even do a lot of shopping and banking through my phone. I am a resident though on the main social media apps all my friends have so I can stay connected with them.

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

Currently, students are using various digital platforms to develop their professional networks whether it is through a class like this blog I created, or through LinkedIn to find jobs.

At this time I am using Zoom, email, Facebook, Twitter, and this blog professionally. I used Zoom this past year due to classes being moved online because of COVID-19 and it has been a place where I network with teachers, TA’s, program directors, and other peers. I use email to reach out to my professors, my supervisors, other peers, co-workers, and my landlord. Email is a great way to communicate with a person professionally as it is more formal than a text. I use Facebook not only personally but I have all 3 of my jobs listed on my Facebook profile. This opens up a professional side to my Facebook as I have my co-workers friended and everyone who searches my name on Facebook can see where I work if they have me as a friend. I need to double-check my privacy settings though to make sure that is true! I use Twitter professionally as I follow school districts, professors, and other educational professionals. I do not post myself, but I would like to try so I can really network with other professionals. I use this blog for school and have used it in the past with other classes to network with peers and professors.

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

As a student, I can consider how much I want to expand professionally. How much do I want out on the internet even if it is still professional?

I also can consider making a LinkedIn get in touch with future employers. I have already considered making an Instagram account that is public that is specifically for all things teaching. I think by making this type of professional account I could network with other teachers either across the world or near me.

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

I believe having a good reputation online is important in order for more opportunities. I really want to be careful with what I post not only on my own social media but on others too. I also want to make sure I keep most of it private. I also thought about the app VSCO. I use that app quite a bit to post photos I have taken and I almost consider it like a blog but with only photos. It is a public network though and I am unable to make my photos private. I am careful of what I post on there because I know it is public but I have also had VSCO since high school when I was young and naive and even thought, although I have deleted those past pictures, are they still somewhere out there?

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?

I think about this question a lot before I post on social media, especially since I am going to be a teacher. I would not want my name to be googled and my potential employer would find pictures that would not be deemed as professional. I try to only post public things that will not affect my opportunity of employment but I never thought of the content I upload actually being beneficial to a future career. This is something I want to think about when I post. I want to most motivating things and I could see myself, as I stated in the previous question, making some professional account whether on Instagram or continue with this blog to showcase my love for teaching.