Educators, let's network!

Recently, I’ve witnessed how my sister and husband (both work in the private sector) network by having their own websites, blogs, or really utilizing their LinkedIn accounts. They are curating and working within a collaborative environment that expects self-promotion.

In my experience, there is not the same type of networking environment in education or at least in early learning. More often than not, having a LinkedIn profile means you’re looking for a job. Twitter and Facebook mean you are goofing off at work or sharing your personal life but not work topics with coworkers. Social media is not a place for work and networking to take place.

I do see education represented by organizations online, which is great. I’ve been trying to get more into LinkedIn, but a lot of people don’t have it. So, let’s change that!

I have started working with some of my Ed.D. cohort-mates, Fullerton Ed.D. program faculty, and Fullerton Alumni Association to begin an Ed.D. alumni network. The main channel of communication/collaboration will be through LinkedIn. I want to ensure all CSUF Ed.D. graduates have 1) set up a LinkedIn account, 2) joined the Ed.D. Alumni Network LinkedIn group, and 3) an understanding of self-promotion through LinkedIn and other social media platforms.

We all have such wonderful ideas and are always stronger together. Bouncing ideas in a cultivated group space that reaches experts in the education field is an aspirational goal.

The wheels of progress are already turning!