Who Views Your Facebook?

This week’s lab led us to Facebook, one of my favorite time wasters. I was excited that I finally had a good excuse to go on. Our assignment was to design a public page to be used as an online resume. An important aspect of this assignment was to keep our page professional. In order to do this I continually told myself, if I put it on the page I would have to be prepared to talk about it in an interview. This definitely helped me to keep my page professional.

        The most difficult part of this assignment was finding a photo. Above all the display photo is a gateway for me to earn respect from my future employers. Therefore I needed to find one that reflected who I am and that I take my professional life seriously. The main reason I chose this display picture is it shows myself in nature, which demonstrates my passion for the environment. Another important reason for picking this picture is I am the only one in it. The employer is not looking to hire my friends or family, just me. A classmate of mine has a similar display picture, she involved nature and it is just of her. 

Top Part of My Facebook Profile (Photo Credit: Jenna Patterson)

Bottom Part of My Facebook Profile

           In her article on CSO Online, Joan Goodchild discusses social media mistakes that can lead to job loss. These mistakes range from complaining about your job to posting too much information about your social life. The alarming part of this article is how many companies use social media to track their employees.

        I will end my post by writing this, job opportunities do not come around everyday. It is silly to let something like one bad photo come between you and the opportunity of a lifetime. This assignment has taught me the value of a professional Facebook page, and this is definitely something I’ll remember for the future.

Introduction

    One of my greatest challenges in writing is figuring out where to start, blogging is no exception. As a first time blogger I am looking at my keyboard unsure where to begin. Yes there are mandatory topics to write about, but what I am struggling with most is how much detail about my life I want to share with strangers. Unlike facebook I can’t control who sees my information. 

    With that being said I have decided to share this. My name is Jenna, after a year of studying Public Health at the University of Lethbridge I decided it wasn't for me, I am now studying Conservation Sciences at the University of Alberta. I enjoy swimming, reading and going to the beach.

Photo Credits: Jenna Patterson

    
   Communication played a large role in my decision to transfer programs. I emailed and read blogs from people who were in my current and future fields. Because of the internet I was able to make an informed decision that will hopefully steer me towards my future career. One of the online profiles I visited was on the University of Alberta website. It showed me a realistic career path. 
    With my major being Human Dimensions of Environmental Management I have the potential to work in public outreach programs. If this is the case I will need to be able to communicate to large groups efficiently. A good way of reaching out to people is through social networking such as twitter and blogs. Although I prefer face-to-face communication, I understand that the world is becoming increasingly reliant on social networking to do business. I will therefore need to open my mind to new opportunities.
    Taylor Anderson brings up how communication can be limited by lack of cell reception. This is important for all employees in the field of conservation to consider. It means impeccable planning will need to be done pre-fieldstudy, and that the people out in the field are able to adapt appropriately to change.