T6: Final Summary

By the time you reach the end of this post, you will know more about me than it’s said on my about me page. When I first started blogging, I wasn’t completely aware of how much value my online identity held in order to expose me to rest of the world. Every activity we carry out using technology, leaves a mark behind, a digital footprint. If I were to use this fact and create information that I specifically want to be known about me, then why not use every possible way to do so?

I didn’t have a Twitter account before starting this course and now I feel myself getting to understand it better than before. I used to be an active Facebook user, who wanted to keep updates and data private, protected within friends and family. But I started to realise that in order for me to achieve my goals and objectives, I need to be exposed outside of this circle.

Looking back at my previous blog posts, I can say that completing the self-test was pretty straight forward. I was unaware of so many factors that were associated with having an online professional image, at the end of every topic, I learnt something new.

There are only few things I’m very passionate about. I have used the skills and knowledge I gained throughout this module and put them into practise with my passions.

1) Kandyan & Bharata-natyam

I am the founder of the only classical dancing society in University of Southampton- combination of Kandyan (traditional Sri Lankan) and Bharata-natyam (south asian) affiliated with UoS Performing Arts. I have used networking skills from this module to reach out to sponsors within and outside of Southampton, in order to promote thier businesses and in return offer my society members exclusive deals.

2) Social media and networking

I have increased my daily use of all social media platforms and even adapted to new networking sites. I have spent hours updating all my professional networking sites (LinkedIn) because I’ve realised how much importance and value it holds by doing so.

3) Committee duties within University

I have been part of four different committees this academic year 2014/15 and this has helped me increase my professional network with many Southampton based businesses and organisations.

4) Blogging

By being an active blogger, I believe I can continue to improve on myself and expand on my interests. Having an online journal means I allow anyone and everyone out there with access to the internet, to see what I do. Throughout this module, I’ve learnt a lot of do’s and don’ts about how to maintain my online professional image. By commenting and interacting with other bloggers, taking in thier constructive criticism about my posts and providing feedback, I’ve learnt that in order to maintain a healthy and balanced professional online image, I need to be able to handle my online presence with others. I believe I’m able to continue to handle a better balance in life as I have done with being in different societies, dancing, computing and criminology work and socialising in my time here at uni. I think blogging is one of best ways to keep building my professional network and I am grateful to have taken UOSM2008 to help me realise this.

PS: As a result of being active on social media and networking platforms and reaching out to businesses, I have been offered to take part in a Performing Arts Institute in London during the summer. Due to my LinkedIn profile continuing to recieve endorsements from hospitality and management industry recruiters, I have been called for an interview at Hilton Colombo for a 3-month- internship programme, in Sri Lanka.

References:

1. Digital Footprint, Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OA6aiFeMQZ0&feature=youtu.be
2. Create your own, Moovly: https://www.moovly.com
3. Kandyan & Bharata, wordpress: https://dilinisene.wordpress.com/2015/05/15/university-of-southampton-kandyan-bharata-natyam-society/
4. Kandyan & Bharata, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sotonkbdsoc
5. SUSU, Performing Arts: http://perform.susu.org/societies.php#dance
6. Making YouTube Videos, WikiHow: http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Good-YouTube-Videos-for-Video-Marketing
7. How to improve my LinkedIn Profile, Stephanie Sammons:  http://www.stephaniesammons.com/5-simple-steps-for-improving-your-linkedin-visibility/
8. Improving my online presence, Entrepreneur: http://www.entrepreneuronfire.com/7-ways-to-build-your-online-presence/