Flash Talk: LinkedIn To Get In: Evaluating the Impact of LinkedIn Groups on Undergraduate Career Awareness and Confidence in Networking (original) (raw)

Sherry, Leighann ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0493-6135, Alam, Mahmood ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2148-4887, Mcgregor, Anna ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8910-6490 and Stubbs, Fiona(2024) Flash Talk: LinkedIn To Get In: Evaluating the Impact of LinkedIn Groups on Undergraduate Career Awareness and Confidence in Networking. Microbiology Society Annual Conference 2024, Edinburgh, UK, 08-11 Apr 2024.

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Abstract

The extent to which individuals interact online has expanded in recent years, with social networking a major aspect of most people’s lives. Development of a professional online presence has become an important aspect in most sectors, and potentially a challenge for students preparing to enter the workplace. LinkedIn is a globally recognised professional network, enabling individuals to interact within a professional environment. However, it remains uncertain whether students are aware of its benefits. The University of Glasgow initiated a closed Microbiology LinkedIn group, limited to staff and current/former Microbiology students, aimed at promoting career diversity and enabling students to network and form valuable connections in their chosen field. However, levels of student awareness and engagement with this platform, and student confidence in professional networking remains unclear and could influence students’ abilities to gain real-world skills. This project evaluated how confident third year undergraduate students were in using LinkedIn as a professional networking platform and whether it improved their awareness of career opportunities. Students joined the closed group and conducted an interview with an alumnus of their degree, allowing exploration of career prospects before presenting their findings to their peers. Confidence in using LinkedIn for networking increased following this session, with all students agreeing the inclusion of such a workshop in the curriculum is useful for exploring career options as they left with 15-20 different pathways open to them. LinkedIn has potential for being effective in supporting transferable skills such as networking, regardless of social background and mobility.

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