From what I have observed and conversations I have had with other students, many students use platforms such as Linkedin and Facebook to develop their professional network. This is done through sharing experiences, opportunities, and skills they acquire or aim to in an engaging and relatable manner. However, when considering how a student could expand their professional learning network, they should first take into account what has already been shared and what they aim to develop or experience. Considering what has already been shared can determine how they are perceived and the level of privacy they have. On the one hand, it could promote their professional learning network by being as open as possible and allowing others to have a more complex and in-depth understanding of the student. However, it could present drawbacks as intimate and potentially misleading details may be shared that could be harmful to one’s career or identity online. This makes me consider how I have created a digital identity in my professional life. Though I have created a Linkedin and networked to find jobs or volunteer opportunities on Facebook, I have taken part in activities and events that have articles written about me that promote a positive identity. I have created this through meaningful and beneficial relationships that have allowed me to grow and network with new individuals. While this is a positive element in my online network, an employer who potentially viewed my social media may have a different idea. My public accounts on social media, which require no following or requesting of access, highlight my personal life, travels, and experiences that I have had with family and friends. In my perspective, I think it mostly shows how I like to travel and go on excursions but depending on the employer or organization it can be misperceived, which is why I need to be considerate of what I post and where.

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