Isn’t it amazing that in this information age where we are continually overwhelmed by messages, tweets, emails and posts there are some that actually inspire us? I remember when Twitter was just rising into the arena of public acclaim: people were irritated by receiving posts about what someone ate for breakfast or which coffee shop they were in drinking their favourite beverage. In truth, this vernacular did not capture me either! But I did get involved for other compelling reasons.

Today social media has risen to the surface as “big data” as it originates from many sources, traverses through Web 2.0 cyberspace and into our inboxes. Without touching on the pros and cons of valuable time used engaging with social media, let me just say there are incredible opportunities for those who choose to take the time to utilize technology in order to connect with people and build their knowledge base. 

In essence, social media is about connecting with people and information i.e. social = people and media = information. If we translate this into the language of careers we can see great value in the networking arena of digital communication and leverage it for our own benefit, which in truth subsequently helps others. It is kind of like the “pay it forward” approach by initiating contact for the better of others and finding out that there are results lying in your own lap as a result. It is simply another form of networking which broadens our network and enlarges our reach in the realms we target and the various people we connect with.

One recent tweet I enjoyed @GarrettProtocol proclaimed that B2B (Business to Business) should be altered to be H2H (Human to Human) (@bryankramer). My philosophy and message to my clients has always been P2P (People to People). I often proclaim, “You see…we are all in the people business, we just do different things!” And so, I quickly re-tweeted it and received immediate response.  

So if you have not began to utilize the social media platform by filtering through the big data to find those people connections and increase your own professional network, you can. (Just don’t forget they may follow you and also receive your “non-business” tweets. I have received a few of those in the past – caution!). Begin following, posting, tagging, tweeting, re-tweeting and more. So, in a nutshell, “the social media arena is your walnut” or something like that. Use it for your benefit and get connected.

Be sure also to view the Sauder Career Success Cycle for Web 2.0 research and strategies for job searching.

Russell Garrett
dapcareersupport@sauder.ubc.ca