What does it mean to network using social media?
Networking using social media is about building connections with people who share similar interests, beliefs, and backgrounds virtually using social media platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. The ability to network has never been easier, you are able to connect with people across the world and build personal or professional relationships without meeting the individual in person. These social media platforms have allowed their users to share information about themselves for other users to quickly search and find them based on their job, location, interests, or mutual friends. Networking through social media is crucial in today’s job market as it opens the individual up to many job opportunities that they would otherwise not have known. In particular, sites such as LinkedIn, which target users seeking professional connections, allow users to quickly search workplaces and find out who worked there. This allows the user to quickly find a mutual connection to an employee at the workplace and form a connection with them. These connections can then be used to help them in the hiring process of the company, whether it be through personal references or referrals. For instance, with Microsoft, I have had experiences where friends would offer referrals to other each other which would guarantee them an interview with Microsoft. By doing this, not only the referral but also the referee gained benefits from the company. Microsoft incentivizes employees to offer referrals for new employees, illustrating the importance of having and building connections.
How are we motivated to participate in networked publics?
Due to the constant developments in technology and the adoption of new ones, the world is becoming more and more networked, and traditional physical networking is becoming obsolete. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic last year, many companies switched from working entirely in-person to working online. As a result, networking is largely conducted online and shows that working and networking can be effectively accomplished. Many companies offer online remote or hybrid positions, even after the pandemic has ended, and it is important to engage in networked public participation or it may be difficult to build and maintain relationships through in-person physical means alone. When I worked at the Ministry of Health as a Co-op student, several of my colleagues worked from home primarily, but they were still able to attend networking events because the Ministry made these events hybrid, allowing employees who worked from home to network with other employees.
What are the risks & rewards of public communications?
Privacy and information security are some risks associated with public communications. While it may be convenient to have your personal information online for friends and family to find you, it is just as easy for a stranger to find information about you, which can lead to scams or identity theft. Another issue concerns the tracking of your activity by large social media companies and the sale of your information to third parties. The goal is to formulate advertisements that target you without your knowledge. The possibility of selling or sharing personal information about users without their consent or knowledge is concerning. On the contrary, one of the benefits of public communication would be convenient access to information about friends and family. Nowadays, almost everyone has access to the internet, making it easy to stay in touch with loved ones. This can be accomplished through text messages, voice calls, or video calls. People can communicate effortlessly. Social media sites such as Instagram or Facebook allow people to create posts and share their experiences with their friends or followers. This keeps everyone in a ‘loop’ of knowing what each other is up to without having to actively talk to them.
Hi Thomas! I think your post discussing networks using social media is super accurate and comprehensive. Social media provides a platform that brings people sharing similar backgrounds, interests and values together to communicate with each other. Networking using social media not only limits sharing hobbies but also enables easier professional networking. And I also have almost the same opinion as you about the risks and rewards of public communications. The major risk can be information privacy and security concern since strangers may get access to personal information on social media and cause potential danger. And the rewards could be easier communication among friends and families that are far away from each other. They can communicate using social media platform via text messages , videos, etc.