Facebook
I understand that many students are on Facebook. Our university actually has a Facebook page as well. I have been recommending that students use Linked-in because it is a professional site. Does anyone else recommend to their students the Linked-in option?
Nicole,
yes, we really do need to educate our students on the dangers of the images that Facebook can create for them & how this can hurt their career chances.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Facebook while useful in many ways can also be harmful as well. I do my best to stress to my students what type of image they are portraying of themselves. Be it right or wrong, employers can browse Facebook for the likes of applicants. I explain that LinkedIn is a great way to stay connected but is much preferred for professional use.
absolutely, we also inform our students that face book can be potentially negative in that perspective employers can view and make hiring decisions based on their profile.
Maren ,
I think this is a good story to pull into a career development/prep class as an example of how employers view facebook & other social media sites now. Too many students I encounter have the attitude of: "it's my page so it's private & I can put whatever I want to on there." This is a terrible, but prime example of how this is not the case.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I work for the State of Utah and teach online. With my state job there is a policy that if someone posts something on Facebook that links to another page and is not in line with the state requirements both could be terminated. We had an employee lose her job for something some said on their own Facebook page but was linked to there page. It's better just to avoid it so the push is not to be linked with professionals on Facebook. Has anyone else had problems or situations come up?
This is an excellent idea, even for those learning a trade. Perhaps by creating a profile based on being a professional rather than filled with pictures, videos, and fun activities and trying to be funny and hip, students can learn the value of these things.
Ashlee,
this is definitely a personal choice (unless directed by administration) some instructors have found a really great way to connect to students in this way, others choose not to for personal reasons.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
We as faculty do not accept FB or Linked-In requests. We do have a Campus FB page and then our students routinely set-up their own FB group page and have discussions on that.
Our campus discourages facebook and student connections. I use Linked-In for profession and Facebook for personal
Our college discourages instructors from having a facebook presence available to students. Rather they encourage using linked in. In all honesty, I can't keep either one current unless I specifically set aside time. I'll chat and message, but postings are few and far between.
Linkedin is one of the best networking resources that I would highly recommend my students utilize to start connecting professionally. Also facebook can also be used as a networking tool as some of the people there announce job openings where they are employed and there is always someone looking for a job and they might have the qualifications so these sites have their advantages but they can also have their disadvantages as well to which some companies forbid the use of social networking due to the profanity and unprofessional contents that may be posted on there.
My students like facebook but I let them know linkin is professional and facebook is more about socializing
I have seen other teachers use this, I would like to try to bring it in on the next course. We have presentaions and I think we can look at each others presentations then use this forun for a group discussuin.
Certainly. Linked-In is used by many, many professionals in this region.
Peter ,
I agree that LinkedIn is a great resource we now have at our fingertips. I think this is a great assignment for our students to have them build a profile & then connect with us & the rest of the class.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Sean,
I am a firm believer in LinkedIn and professional social networking. Both business and skilled trade individuals alike can benefit from posting their educational and work experience. There are so many organizations that are connected with social networking and utilize it as a way to network and connect with both active and passive job seekers. There have been several occasions in which I have received job and/or relacation offers merely on the information posted in my personal LinkedIn account.
Robert,
I agree that this is a great site to direct our students to so they can start connecting professionally.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I use and recommend using Linkedin to my students from the very first day of their career at school. It is one of the best ways to use a networking site responsibly.
Heather,
I am at a shock as well. I did not know that either. I will have to check that out too.
