Using LinkedIn in the curriculum: how pre-professional identity development and celebrating success enhances graduates’ work-readiness

Julie Fowlie, Clare Forder

Research output: Contribution to conferenceAbstractpeer-review

Abstract

Through the lens of pre-professional identity development (Jackson, 2016) linked with the concept of graduate capital (Tomlinson, 2017), we will argue that the use of LinkedIn enhances students’ employability as it encourages career preparation beyond the typical focus on skills (Fowlie and Forder, 2019). By discussing how this has been embedded in two final year core Business modules, we will also highlight how assessment of students’ use of LinkedIn has produced required outcomes (e.g. creation of a professional profile, completion of micro-credentials and posting certificates) but also some unintended consequences (Merton, 1936). These are often small in nature – a reaction to a post or an encouraging comment – but can also be more significant, such as a recommendation from a tutor, endorsements by colleagues, recognition from industry professionals, requests to share results of research projects. Supported by self-efficacy theory (Bandura, 1994), we argue that these outcomes, positioned via LinkedIn as celebrating success, increase students’ work readiness as they encourage further engagement with those in their intended industry or career, with the opportunity to develop Tomlinson’s (2017) graduate capital model with the explicit inclusion of digital capital.
Original languageEnglish
Pages68-74
Number of pages6
Publication statusPublished - 1 Sept 2021
EventCharted Association of Business Schools Learning, Teaching & Student Experience - Online, United Kingdom
Duration: 29 Jun 202130 Jun 2021
https://charteredabs.org/events/ltse2021/

Conference

ConferenceCharted Association of Business Schools Learning, Teaching & Student Experience
Abbreviated titleLTSE 2021
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityOnline
Period29/06/2130/06/21
OtherNow in its eleventh year, the Learning, Teaching & Student Experience conference is a wonderfully supportive environment and a great opportunity for learning, professional development and networking. The conference typically brings together more than 350 educators, including Certified Management & Business Educators, from across the business school community. Over two days, we will showcase the latest innovations in teaching practice, cutting-edge pedagogic research and effective student engagement activities.
Internet address

Keywords

  • LinkedIn
  • Work Ready Graduates
  • Pre-Professional Identity

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