This blog focuses primarily on the topic of engaging in your PLN and answers a few questions related to it. I believe individuals will continue to engage in their network as long as there are some common grounds between them. For example, in my case, I would be more likely to engage in a network consisting of students from UVic than with students from my high school, as they are more likely to have a common topic to talk about and meet/interact on a more regular basis due to school. However, this also depends on their personality types; someone who is more extraverted would likely be more engaging with their network and content compared to someone who is lower on extraversion. If someone is high on conscientiousness, they are more likely to adapt and be more open to new technology and platforms, whereas someone low on this trait might prefer to stick within their comfort zone and might not be very open to new opportunities.
The skills developed through networking and content creation are highly applicable in professional settings, including digital literacy, public speaking, personal branding, and adaptability to technology. These skills are important in every professional field, as with more advancement, a lot of professional fields are adapting to technology. Networking skills enhance collaboration, and communication skills are essential in every professional field. We discussed that PLNs provide more opportunities for growth in terms of career opportunities. For example, with more presence on digital platforms such as LinkedIn, individuals can come across more job opportunities than by following traditional ways. PLNs provide access to diverse informational sources, potential collaborations, and access to a broader audience, which can lead to more networks and foster the growth of new relationships like mentors and peers in the same careers, thereby enhancing professional relationships. One can take their PLN from a local community to a global community. For example, if I have a private Instagram account, I am bound to add people that I know, and they are often people I meet, thus more of a local audience. If I want to move to a more global community, I have to make a public account; that way, I would have access to a broader global audience. With this expansion, one can have access to more diverse perspectives, leading to better comprehension of topics and innovative ideas. This can also allow individuals to learn a wider range of languages and cultures, reducing discrimination biases. On the other hand, networking with a worldview but on a local impact can deploy their knowledge and strategies from a global context and modify them to suit local conditions. This can lead to solutions to local problems, as it combines global best practices with local knowledge. This effect can also be respectful and sustain local cultures.
I believe my PLN can be used to help with professional development post-course. The experiences within my PLN, such as communication, teamwork, critical thinking, and information-sharing abilities, can be directly applicable in a professional context post-course as well. Even if they are not applicable in the future, they can be used to understand the contents in the past, as we know understanding the past can help us understand the future better. I also believe my PLN can be relied on to open professional opportunities. As we already know, personal recommendations and referrals from network members, who are familiar with one’s capabilities, can lead to potential job openings and roles. In fact, that is how I got my current job. For the future, I would like to expand my network as, by fostering relationships and connections globally, a well-curated PLN can be a rich source for exploring professional collaborations, discovering job openings, and connecting deeply with like-minded professionals.
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