EDCI 338 Blog Post#2 – Digital Identity

When I think about my digital identity, I realize most of what I have online is personal rather than professional. Right now, I don’t maintain professional accounts like LinkedIn or portfolios because I don’t feel the need to have them at this stage. I see networking and career development as something that can happen in many ways, not just through an online presence. For me, personal accounts are where I connect with friends, share experiences, and explore my interests, which feels appropriate for where I am in my academic and personal journey.

In her TEDx talk “What Do Your Digital Footprints Say About You?”, Nicola Osborne talks about how everything we do online leaves a trail, even small things like clicks or searches. She points out that these digital footprints can add up to show a version of us that we might not even realize we’re creating. The talk made me think about how important it is to be aware of what I’m putting out there, even if I don’t use social media much. It’s a good reminder that our online presence sticks around and can affect us later on.

In terms of my personal digital identity, I rarely post or interact much on social media. I try to limit my time on these apps because they can easily become a distraction. I keep my online presence minimal, mostly using social media to learn about my interests and watch videos I enjoy. Even though I’m not very active, I try to keep my accounts appropriate and thoughtful in case anyone does see them.

Since I don’t have a professional digital identity, one challenge could be that it might be harder to establish a professional presence later if I ever need to. But for now, this isn’t a concern, as the career I want to pursue doesn’t require one. Looking ahead, I don’t see my digital identity changing much. I plan on keeping it personal and subtle, using social media minimally and intentionally. My main focus is to stay true to myself while maintaining privacy and balance. Even without a professional digital identity, I feel confident in the way I maintain my personal digital presence.

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