Uni Of Leics: Reflection on Social Media Learning 3

What an opportune time for me to start to enhance my knowledge, understanding & skill sets around the Online World of Social Media. Work will change for me in three months time as I will be leaving my current employ & heading off to look for ventures & challenges new.

I had expected to utilise all my traditional skills around networking, my CIMA affiliations, & new job hunting via agencies specialising in accountancy combined with searching the internet via the likes of Gaapweb & Monster.com etc…..but I am now aware of the potential that Social Media offers in terms of developing my Personal Brand where an online audience can find me too! I am currently updating my CV which I will add into my LinkedIn account, and improve my visibility in the marketplace. I pride myself that my outgoing personality & varied interests has meant that building relationships & communicating with others has always been one of my strengths, a skill that I must now continue to develop in the virtual space.

Living in the heart of North Yorkshire Dales does mean that I am somewhat geographically separated from easy traditional connections with firms & seeking new job opportunities etc….but I have quickly become aware how the Leicester Award is equipping me with the tools to overcome such challenges in the virtual environment, indeed as the DL MBA has done in terms of access to study materials, library articles download access, tutors, guidance through Blackboard & submitting assignments.   

 I now have started to develop & appreciate the processes needed to enable me to target & follow firms of interest. I just did not realise before just how many firms are posting their vacancies directly in these portals! As I am due to complete my final Elective module on 31^st July I am very much looking forward to Uni Summer School (fellow Distance Learners – hope to see you there!) & I will use the couple of weeks in between without any module deadline pressure, to spend a bit more time refining these areas including any additional privacy elements now that I have just also (I think) linked my Facebook & Twitter accounts….

My ultimate aim is now to create strong Social Media skill set to compliment my traditional people skills & networking, alongside the technical maths, accounting, teaching qualifications & training experience to create a Personal Brand online  which can highlight these achievements, qualifications & experience from almost 30 years in industry, commerce, finance & education through my commitment to life-long learning. I am also grateful to the Online Award guidance from the University of Leicester for their expertise & teachings in this field, but in particular in the activity of reflection. It is so easy to get swept away by the day job & all our other commitments that we forget just how important this is….

To round off this posting, may I also thank all my fellow Group D contributors for their support, advice & excellent blogging in helping me through Unit 2 of the module…..and here’s looking forward to the joys of Unit 3!

Cheers

Weavo