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

I think that many students are using LinkedIn to develop their professional network. I started using this digital platform in my second year as an undergrad, since coworkers from my previous co-op placement recommended that I make an account to stay connected with them and future employers. LinkedIn is a very helpful tool for professionals to connect and network, and progress their career by finding relevant jobs, internships and opportunities related to their field. I really enjoy using this platform because I can publicly showcase my past job experiences and skills, and I’ve recently networked with other UVic undergrads who have similar post-undergraduate plans as me. LinkedIn can be a very useful resource for observing what other undergraduate students are doing, and seeing their career history can be helpful in understanding how they got to where they are now and what they hope to do in the future.

Facebook is another digital platform that is widely used by students to develop their professional network. It’s an easily accessible platform that students can access for career advice that allows them integrate themselves into a community of professionals early on in their career. When I decided that I wanted to pursue a job in marine science, I found many great online networks on Facebook that helps connect like-minded students together where they can network and ask and/or receive helpful advice. For example, I am part of two networking groups, namely 1) Marine science internships, Jobs and Opportunities, and 2) Marine Biology Career Network. These two platforms are very helpful for me because there is constantly an influx of relevant job postings (like Masters positions), as well as people who are putting out really great questions and those that are giving out insightful professional advice. These groups are especially helpful for marine science students who are starting to get a sense of what they want to do after their graduate, as there are many experienced professionals in this group that continually help guide these undergrads with helpful advice and networking.

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

A student could attend conferences, presentations and seminars to expand their professional learning network. Being part of these events can give the student opportunities to see what a future career could look like, they can gain excellent networking skills, and gaining a better understanding of the work that other professionals carry out. For the biology department, there is a seminar involving a guest lecturer (usually MSc, PhD, and post-doc students) discussing their biology-related research every other Friday. These talks prompt undergraduate students to understand what academia could look like as a career, to have an opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations with the speakers, and to network. These speakers can develop into mentors for students that can help them along their professional career. By attending these seminars, it gave me an idea of what a future job could look like for me.

If a student is interested in pursuing research and expanding their personal learning network, it is extremely useful to join a research lab at their institution. Usually, there are several guest lecturers that are invited by the lab that prompts lab members to collaborate and to network with these guest speakers, as these talks are usually related to the lab’s general research interests. Not only can this improve the student’s networking skills, but they can gain knowledge on topics that they might be interested in pursuing after graduation, and this can spark ideas about their own research interests. As a current biology Honours student in a research lab at UVic, and I have formed many connections with masters, PhD students, and post-docs in my lab. I value these connections as I see them as mentors and important people to have in my network as I continue on in my career path.

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

Data privacy can cause limitations in connecting and networking with people. For example, someone having a private account makes it difficult for others to connect and reach out to them. In addition, for the most part, online library resources and access to academic journals are only accessible to people that are part of institutions. This can restrict people that are not part of an institution from accessing (usually peer-reviewed) information and from broadening their knowledge. This can limit someone’s PLN by restricting the range of information sources that they receive in their network. Data privacy can promote a PLN by protecting the work of authors from copyright and enforcing ownership to their work.

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

Maintaining a positive digital identity/reputation is important for future employers, as this identity is a reflection of yourself and your values. I would create a digital reputation by creating a public profile, such as on LinkedIn, that portrays positivity. I would also add past and current jobs, volunteering gigs I’ve done, certifications and scholarships I have received, and my research interests. By adding these features to your LinkedIn profile, you’re able to put yourself out there, and others can see your experience in that field. Another component to digital identity is communicating with others online in a positive manner. By doing this you are able to stay in touch with family, friends, and other professionals, which allows them to form an impression of you.

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

If a potential employer were to respond after assessing my social media presence, I don’t think they would have any reservations. This is because, when I Googled myself, the only two things that popped up were my LinkedIn account and my Instagram account (which you can’t see since I have a private account). Therefore, my digital identity would not portray anything negative to the employer. Having one of the first things that comes up associated with my name is my public LinkedIn profile, which is helpful as they can assess my previous jobs and my current research interests. Overall, I don’t have much of an online presence and I am aware of all the things about me that are online, which can portray me as a good candidate for an employer.