Personal Learning Networks through Social Media

Students now a days use many different digital networks in order to help create and develop a professional network. Depending on the chosen profession and style of work the student is hoping to get involved with might determine what kind of platform is going to be the most successful. Some common platforms used to expand professional networks are facebook, twitter, linkd in and even Instagram.

As a student I did mention before it would be important to make sure that the digital platforms you choose to use and what you post on them are going to be appropriate. If you are wanting to become a social media influencer it would be a good idea to work on growing your Instagram account and putting lots of pictures and posts that show who you are and what you are all about. On the other hand I think you would want to represent yourself a little bit different if you are looking to break into the corporate world or possibly working with children. One thing that always needs to be taken into consideration is once you post something online it will always be out there and anyone has the ability to find it. So with that being said you need to decide in the moment how each post, picture or story could possibly come back and effect you in a negative or positive way down the road. For an example if you choose to portray yourself online as always going out and partying or being overly negative and opinionated an employer might look you up online and decide that you are not the person they want to hire and have representing their brand or company. It is extremely important to make sure that what you and the other people in your personal learning network are posting about you is something that you would not mind having your parents, grandparents, colleagues or future bosses seeing; as this could effect opportunities in your future.