As we develop into more of a professional network, it is crucial to understand our digital identity and how we can further develop our professional digital identity. This is done through networking, mainly using platforms to do so. The most common digital platform to use is LinkedIn. By developing a profile, we can put out a version of us that is appealing to potential employers. This allows us to control our professional digital identity. We can connect and communicate within the same platform with other students, employers, and colleagues. As a student, I believe it is important to note that that is not the only platform I use for school purposes. Other platforms like Gmail or Microsoft Teams are extremely valuable for communicating with others, especially for school purposes. Overall, the main platform that I use constantly for school and professional reasons is Gmail.

As a student, it is essential to understand how to develop a professional learning network as it is an extremely valuable step towards enhancing our skills, knowledge and opportunities. We can do this by using platforms such as LinkedIn. From there, we can showcase our experience, skills and other vital accomplishments we would like others to be informed of. You can use said platform to join specific groups you feel connected to. By participating in online communities, you can network with other members with similar interests. It takes time to build a strong professional learning network, so starting as a student is helpful for the future when we are looking for employment after university.

Awareness of our data privacy and security is important when developing a PLN. Limiting how much personal information we disclose online can protect our privacy more. I choose to limit access to my personal information. I have strict privacy settings and security on most social media platforms. This way, I am aware of exactly who can see what content. In addition, when I share content, I minimize the amount of personal information I am posting. On the other hand, in terms of professional information, I believe it is important to share that. Sharing more professional information about yourself allows you to find a good community with others who share similar opinions or interests. Overall, it is important to prioritize measures that protect sensitive information while also allowing collaboration with others.

Your digital identity is made up of what you share on public platforms. Others will learn about your personality, hobbies, interests, etc., from what they see online. Therefore, it is important to be aware of what others’ first impressions of you will be. We can do this by creating profiles that share what we would like others to know about us and updating them regularly. We also need to have consistency between all platforms. We can showcase our skills and other achievements that are important for others to know about. The content that we share should align with our professional goals as well. Finally, monitoring our online presence and adapting it where needed is key to presenting the best version of ourselves online.

Personally, I keep most social media private. This is not just for the purpose of my professional career but also for privacy reasons. As I have worked in the past and continue to work as a social media creator for companies, I see how a public account can attract a wide variety of people. For businesses, this is great, but for personal photos or information, this is not what I am looking for. I am currently still working on creating my LinkedIn account, so at the moment, there is nothing publicly available on platforms for employers to see. However, I know what I want them to see once I have worked further on my professional identity on networking platforms. I want to share my achievements and skills so that an employer will know where I can be helpful in their company. I would like to have all my social media hidden from employers so they can see only what I want them to see. I would minimize the content I share on public platforms such as VSCO. Overall, I would like to have a consistent identity that is true to who I am but also private.