Personal Vs Professional Identity

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

Based upon some of the V&R maps other students have posted this week as well as my own, I would say we currently use very few platforms. I personally don’t use LinkedIn, but some other students do, which I believe is an effective tool in building a professional network. In fact, I noticed that very few students use any form of professional networks and I believe this is a reflection of the stage of life we are in. At least for me, I have not yet entered into my field and thus I don’t particularly see the need to truly develop a professional network. As a psychology major, it is very challenging to work within psychology without a degree, most often a master’s degree. Thus, I have no credentials or qualifications that I can utilize to build a professional identity. Furthermore, I have held the same two jobs for the past three years; neither of them requiring a professional presence online, other than interacting on our employee websites.

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

I think that all of us, as students, should consider the benefits of creating a professional network presence. Despite still being in school, with many of us having part time jobs, it is important to begin the process of building a professional identity that is separate from our personal one. For me, I will graduate this year with an extremely limited professional network and this is something I have begun to think about. I do think it is important to start this process but at the same time, but becoming a professional still seems so far away. I believe a good place to begin is likely on LinkedIn, and thus we should all consider the expansion of our professional digital identities.

• Thread Discussion: How do data privacy and security limit and promote a PLN? In your network, how can you create a digital identity/ reputation?

The creation of a successful PLN requires a strong balance between privacy and self-disclosure. If we consider a PLN as being primarily used in institutional settings, rather than personal ones, the user must be aware of their digital identity and what information is appropriate to disclose. It is imperative to remember that one’s digital identity is seen as a direct reflection of one’s real self, and thus becomes subject to judgement. For example, an individual who posts images or tweets about drinking or drug use is unlikely to attract professionals who can expand their PLN. In comparison, someone who posts about their field, or otherwise presents as a well rounded individual has the potential to successfully build a professional PLN. Now these two examples are not mutually exclusive, so it becomes a balance of disclosing certain aspects of the self while keeping others private. In my own network, I am very careful about what I post and which aspects of myself I share. I often consider how it will be seen by employers, family members, or other professional contacts. I work to curate a digital identity that emphasizes my interests in psychology (my major), literature, the outdoors, and travel. As social media becomes an increasingly important aspect in society, I believe that it is important to create a digital identity that showcases the best parts of myself and my life.

• Consider in your blog submission 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 believe this response is dependent upon the context of employment. I primarily use Instagram as my basis of digital identity, and I post images that are reflective of who I want to be seen as. The majority of my presence emphasizes my love of nature and travel, presenting a person who is free-spirited and connected to the earth. If either of my current employers had looked at my Instagram before hiring me, I truly do not think they would care at all. I do not post distasteful images, and thus I don’t think it would be a problem. However, if an employer was hiring me for a long term, stable position, I think they may have reservations about my ability to stay in one place for so long. Truth be told, I wouldn’t apply for a job that required such stability, but I’m sure they might question whether I was the right person for the job. I dislike being stuck in the same place for too long, despite my holding jobs for multiple years, I have continuously left and returned after travelling. I think, in most realistic contexts, any employer would respond with neutrality or positivity to my digital identity. Another aspect to this is the reality of ‘pretty privilege’ and the ability for more attractive people to be more liked. This is not to sound conceited, but simply a truth. For example, in the restaurant industry and many others, one is almost required to be attractive. I’ve worked in restaurants for years now, and I know this to be true because I have seen it happen. So, my digital identity is a reflection of my best self; the images where I look most attractive and happy. Therefore, in certain employment contexts, they would likely respond positively if I match the ideal image of who they want as an employee. Overall, I think any employer would either not care, or be more inclined to hire me, based upon my digital identity.

Thank you for reading!

References:

http://experimental.worldcat.org/vandrmapping/editMap

https://digitaltattoo.ubc.ca/quizzes/privacy-and-surveillance/ Regan, P., & Jesse, J. (2019).

http://experimental.worldcat.org/vandrmapping/assets/documents/VRAMappingInstructions.pdf