I've found myself visiting some friends' profiles on a social networking platform called LinkedIn, which is basically a network for professionals. You can include your education, job history, accomplishments, and career objectives. Now I never really saw it as a relevant tool for my own purposes until recently. But I think I've realized how we, as soon-to-be-graduating university students, can make good use of LinkedIn!
Some context: I'm part of Arts Tri-Mentoring, and my mentor set up a meeting with the Director of UBC Continuing Studies at UBC Robson Square. Going into the meeting, I wasn't really sure what the point was and whether the Director's job was relevant to my interests. But he had very interesting things to say about how they're using new media (e.g. podcasts, youtube-like videos) to repurpose the content in their professional development workshops. Our discussion at the meeting was very stimulating and now I want to send him a follow-up email saying something along the lines of, "You're awesome, I heart technology, hire me plz".
This is where I realized how useful LinkedIn can be! Instead of attaching my resume to my follow-up email (unsolicited and a bit obnoxious), I can write a short and sweet email with a link to my [soon to be created] LinkedIn profile where I will have a virtual version of my resume. Thus, I will have accomplished the following:
- sent a gracious and concise follow-up email
- demonstrated my enthusiasm for technology :)
- shown email etiquette by not including unsolicited attachments
- expressed my desire to explore career opportunities with CS
Anyway, going back to my original point - technology and social networks are cool IF you can find a purpose for them! I thought LinkedIn would be something of interest to you guys, and I hope this gives an idea of how you could possible take advantage of it.
0 comments:
Post a Comment