The document discusses the importance of engineering graduates developing a professional online presence. It emphasizes taking ownership of your online identity, building valuable networks, and developing confident digital skills. It provides tips for using platforms like LinkedIn to showcase work, connect with professionals in your field, and develop an online profile that highlights your expertise to potential employers.

1. The
importance
of a
professional
online presence
for future
Engineering
Graduates
SUE BECKINGHAM @suebecks
Sheffield Hallam University

2. Taking ownership of YOUR professional online
presence
Building valuable networks
Developing confident digital skills
Standing out from the crowd
Key objectives

3. Digital Literacies
(Jisc 2014) http://www.jisc.ac.uk/guides/developing-students-digital-literacy/

4. Preparing for YOUR graduate
employment

5. “Don't put off until
tomorrow what
you can do today.”
Benjamin Franklin

6. YOU need to make time to develop
YOUR professional online identity

7. WARNING:
Open sharing of your
social life

8. WARNING:
Open sharing of photos of
your social life

9. WARNING:
Open engaging in angry,
rude or defamatory
exchanges

10. Every time you
use social media
you leave a trail.
What permanent
footprints are you
leaving?

11. What will your
potential Employer's
viewpoint be of your
online presence?

12. Your digital profile is in YOUR hands

13. THINK before you share
anything online

14. How do you use social
media professionally?
Time you found out....

15. Professional use of Twitter
Take note...
Professional Bodies and Engineering companies are sharing tweets
about jobs, internships, careers information

16. Digital Portfolio Toolbox

17. Why would I need a LinkedIn profile?

18. Make the most of
YOUR profile!

19.  LinkedIn members did over 5.7 billion professionally-
oriented searches on the platform in 2012.
 More than 4 million companies have LinkedIn Company
Pages.
 There are more than 1.5 million unique publishers actively
using the LinkedIn Share button on their sites to send
content into the LinkedIn platform.
 LinkedIn members are sharing insights and knowledge in
more than 2.1 million LinkedIn Groups.
 In the second quarter of 2014, mobile accounted for 45
percent of unique visiting members to LinkedIn.
LinkedIn Facts

20. Build your
personal digital
rolodex
Connections can be
accessed anytime
and anywhere from
your chosen device

21. LinkedIn helps you keep in
touch with your connections
as the onus is on the
individual to keep their
contact details up to date.

22. Your 1st degree connections open
opportunities to expand your network with
2nd degree connections.

23. Receive industry
news tailored to
your interests
and delivered to
your chosen
digital device

24. A space to showcase your BEST work

25. Make sure your LinkedIn
Profile is complete and up-
to-date so that potential
connections know you’re
bona fide.
Professionals and experts
in your field will be more
likely to respond to your
inquiries if you have a
complete profile including
a professional headshot.

26. LinkedIn Advanced People Search helps you easily find
experts and sources. Search by company name, company
size, keywords, title or any other aspect to find exactly the
source you need. Click on the person’s profile and you’ll see if
anyone in your network knows them and can introduce you.

27. Build your professional identity online
as an expert in your field

28. Developing an
online profile using

29. Whilst developing your profile opt to make it private
until you are ready to share it
#1
Look at the
privacy
settings and
options

30. Research has found that profiles are more trusted
when they contain a photo
#2
Include a
photo

31. Click on the 'Edit Profile' button to update
any of the sections or the 'Improve your
profile' button for suggestions.
Proofread any changes you make for errors!
#3
Complete
your whole
profile

32. Who is your intended audience

33. In pairs: Explain what your role is and
why it matters

34. Now listen to your partner explaining back to
you what your key skills are

35. Think about the key search words people would
use if they were looking for:
 experts with skills in your field
 experienced individuals to collaborate with
 the best course to apply for
#4
Include
relevant
keywords

36. Your headline will default to your
current job title, but this can be edited
to add further information and keywords
#5
Edit your
headline

37. The default URL will also include random numbers
and letters and appears underneath your photo.
uk.linkedin.com/pub/your-name/1x/11x/111
Customise this to have your full name then add to:
• your email signature
• business cards
• your bios on other social sites
#6
Customise
your public
profile URL

38. Add relevant skills to your profile.
Valued connections may then publically endorse
your skills and expertise
#7
Add skills
to your
profile

39. You may give others a recommendation, but do also
consider asking people you have worked with to
give you one too.
#8
Ask for
recommendations

40. • Connect with current and previous work colleagues
• Search by name, company, school, email contacts
or group members. Drill down using advanced
people search.
• Develop relevant 2nd and 3rd degree connections
#9
Make
connections

41. • Join groups and engage in discussion
topics and answer questions in your
specialism
• Develop new connections and network
• Create your own group
#10
Join relevant
Groups

42. #11
Add projects
to your
profile

43. #13
Add your
SlideShare
presentations
http://www.slideshare.net/suebeckingham

44. #14
Add links to
your blog/
website

45. #15
Write blog
posts within
LinkedIn

46. Resources: go.shu.ac.uk/socialmedia
How to use social media responsibly
How your personal use of Social media
relates to the University's rules and
regulations; what is inappropriate, and the
associated consequences
Managing your digital footprint
Four ways to stop your social media past
damaging your real-life future; simple steps to
clean up and manage your social media
identity
Using social media for learning
Make social media work for you and stand out
from the crowd by identifying and harnessing
opportunities
Using social media to enhance your
employability
Outlining the ways in which social media can
improve your employability and develop a
satisfying career

47. Sue Beckingham
Educational Developer with a research interest in the use of social media
in education.
Blog: http://socialmediaforlearning.com/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/suebeckingham