After this week’s discussions with my classmates, I have altered my original social media plan. I think that I was originally considering how I want to use social media in my current position as a frontline health care worker. However, when I broadened my thinking to consider the career and position that I ultimately aspire towards (working more in management or practice leadership) this changed my plan.
I think that by continuing to use social media mainly as a means of staying in touch with friends and family, and relegating Linkedin to being my sole form of profession-related social media (as per my original plan), I am limiting the impact that I can have as a health care worker. I still think that I do not need to have a social media presence, per se (in that my current job does not require it and future roles also may not require this) but it is another avenue that I should use to advance my career goals and advocate for good healthcare.
Forbes (2017) views social media as an opportunity to expand learning and career growth beyond the traditional boundaries of the workplace. They also argue that simply avoiding social media for fear of the potential hurdles (as I have been apt to do in the past) is unrealistic and ultimately irresponsible as professionals in the modern age (Forbes, 2017). Lim (2020) views social media as an opportunity to improve overall healthcare quality (not just personal and professional growth) by promoting inter-professional connections, discussions and critical thinking, and as a means to share new research knowledge.
I feel like I owe it to my profession and to my own career goals to at least be more open minded and less fear-avoidant going forward!
Lim, W. M. (2010). Social media in medical and health care: opportunities and challenges. https://doi.org/10.1108/MIP-06-2015-0120
van Tartwijk, J., & Driessen, E. W. (2009). Portfolios for assessment and learning: AMEE Guide no. 45. Medical Teacher, 31(9). https://doi.org/10.1080/01421590903139201
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