To network using social media is to create an online presence and connect with others personally and professionally based on that identity. The specific identity you curate online helps to determine what networking opportunities will be made available to you as it will attract a certain crowd.

During a group discussion about networking using social media, my team members Maddy, Shalan, and I discussed how social media provides the opportunity to share information, collaborate, and socialize, creating a variety of personal networks.

The motivation to participate in a networked public is often based on why you are using the internet in the first place. Oftentimes individuals are motivated to have an online presence because many professional opportunities are advertised and available online and additionally people may be scouted based on their online profile. Furthermore, creating and interacting with diverse online networks is a chance for growth, learning, and connection with all the other individuals and information available on the platform. Thus, the motivation for being involved in a networked public depends on the individual’s aims and whether they are either professional, personal, or both.

There are many benefits to being involved in social media. In our group discussion, we talked about how social media provides jobs, for example, many brands will pay individuals to promote their products if they have a large enough following and this can be quite high paying. Additionally, being on social media allows you to extend beyond your local network and connect with others, personally or professionally, around the world.

Although having an online presence can often be beneficial, there are many risks involved as well. Being on social media risks breaching your own privacy and the privacy of others you involve in your profile. It can also lead to lost opportunities, your profile may not be in line with what your professional superiors expect and many jobs are lost this way.

The digital identity that you personally create affects how others view you and what networking opportunities are made available to you. A digital identity is what you choose to share online and is thus very personalized. It is often influenced by what you are seeking in your online interactions. Aside from the effect your digital identity has on networking, we also discussed in our group discussion how it gives you accessibility to many important resources. We discussed this topic based on the video by World Economic Forum, Davos 2019 – Press Conference The Value of Digital Identity for the Global Economy and Society. Having a digital identity is often enough information to possess a bank account, be able to travel, identify yourself, and much more. It is important to note that not everyone around the world has access to a digital identity and thus steps must be made to make the internet more equitable. There is also the risk of false information and identification being spread on the internet.

Another aspect of social media is that professional and personal social media use is generally based on what you do as a career. Different professions have different target audiences and some may be more relaxed than others, for example, certain content creators may post about their day while medical professionals, as Jawed et al. (2019) explain may have to keep their presence more regulated. Once something is on social media it is difficult and potentially impossible to remove that digital footprint and thus it is important to consider this in regards to your profession.

Oftentimes your personal and professional networked publics converge because they may both use your name or the same handle. The impacts of this are that it may either benefit you by showcasing more of your potential, skills, and assets, or again, you risk privacy breaches.

To control and monitor my social media use I prefer to keep my personal profiles private to help protect my privacy and the privacy of others that I may include on my social media. Additionally, I find this helps to ensure my digital footprint is professional since my personal social media is only open to those I allow, whereas my professional profiles are public and more controlled.

Overall, it is important to consider your target audience and what you want out of social media when engaging in personal and professional social media networks.

References:

Jawed, S., Mahboob, U., & Yasmeen, R. (2019). Digital professional identity: Dear Internet! Who am I? Education for Health (Abingdon, England), 32(1), 33–35. https://doi.org/10.4103/efh.EfH_232_17

World Economic Forum, February 5, 2019, Davos 2019 – Press Conference The Value of Digital Identity for the Global Economy and Society, [Video], Youtube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-V7lyxrOmw