The Importance Of Networking For Universities And Students: An Essay.

Produce a reflective report on your development over the module and your understanding of key concepts.

The Benefits of Networking for Students

Networking is an efficient way of sharing information. Networking develops professional and social contacts. Universities establish links with students via digital networking. It is a regular communication for the mutual benefit. In this report past and present experience of students related to networking has been reflected. The ways to develop present networking experience have been explained by university using various options of social media. The use of networking for universities has been discussed in context to students. The roles of social capital in respect to networks have been explained. The professional development of university is defined by reflecting challenges and achievements of it’s networking plan. The plan is implemented by making use of social capital.  Finally the methods have been discussed for the face to face networking opportunities.

Networking is the effective way of sharing information. It is exchange of information between one or more persons. It consists of establishing relationship between with people. These people often become friends and colleagues. It may help universities to advance their career. It can develop career prospects. The networking empowers sharing peripherals. It is helpful in building social networks with the students who share similar and career interests. The social networking services depends on the internet based applications. The social networking provides a space for interaction to the various members in developing social ties. The past networking experience of students used to include traditional events. These events lack agenda and purpose. The past networking options are more ever outdate and not working anymore. These events rarely have calls to action. The present networking occurs for the special purpose through websites such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. It can increase brand recognition. The present networking is more accessible to the students. It can promote brand of universities. For instance the universities can be heard first time on Twitter through news feed. The more is exposed name of university, greater are the chances of retaining new customers. 

The social capital comprises value of social relationships and networking which complements economic capital for the economic growth of company. It is an important component of the prosperity of company. The social network in an organisation includes trust among students, the satisfaction level with the education and the quality of communication which takes place. The communication takes place with the peers, seniors and class mates. The social capital is used to improve performance and growth of organisation. The strong social networking is possible with the efficient performance of staff. The social capital stresses on the importance of social networks. The social capital aims to use networking in the best way possible for achieving goal of organisation.

Use of Social Media for Networking

The social networks such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter help students to engage with university or student status. The online interactions have become essential. The social network is important for the university as well. The students talks about organisation and then follows up. It grows network which helps in advancing career interests. It has also seen that social media has penetrated all types of universities. The social sites emerge as a winner because of large number of followers. The rapid rise of social media provides numerous opportunities for the universities to adopt for further teaching attempt. The social media provides an exclusive stage for interaction among teachers and students and among students. The students find it the easy way to communicate and access information. It is seen that the academics have been expanding their role to offer after hour support to students. The students can make use of online technologies for the purpose of learning. Other than the use of social media for learning and teaching, it is also used for generating awareness and advertisement. 

The professional development of university can be defined by the following points:

Potential market

Challenges

The goal of universities is not only to make students attend lecture. But they embark on career. The university targets the students who have completed their higher education and are looking for degree or diploma courses. The age specified of students target is 18-29.

Achievements:

The students show their interest towards university by digital platform. The web sites provide information to prospective students. The prospective students are the main audience for university. It has two types of users internal and external. The internal user consists of staff and students. 

Evidences

The external users can be categorised by prospective students, prospective staff, alumni, news media, legislators and more.

Use of networking methods

Challenges:

It was challenging for the university to make use of social platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, e-mail, LinkedIn and the website. The university created page associated groups on Facebook. It featured specification of the courses available by university. It is providing opportunity to students to discuss relevant concern and a support network. Instagram was also used for authentic sharing to connect with younger audience. The stories can be put on Instagram and can be used in various ways. The stories can be used by sharing campus news, conducting student takeover. Introducing to local attractions and sharing important research achievements. The university can also put announcement on the Instagram stories.

Role of Social Capital in Networking

Achievements:

Twitter was used by the university. It put updates and the recent development of college. The tweets can attract interest of prospective students. It can also put tweet for the staff required by university. The desired students and staff can contact to the organisation. Facebook can be used as networking method. Advertisement can be shown on the Facebook pages. The desired candidates click on the page and get the information. The likes on Facebook page increases the popularity of university.

Evidences:

Profile is created on LinkedIn, the prospective clients can visit the profile and access the information provided by university. Email is used by university as a networking method. The emails are sent to the targeted group. Such emails carry all the necessary information of university. The students want further updates can subscribe the emails. 

Assessment of networking methods used

The use of social media has become a conventional means of communication. There is growth in the number of users. The purpose to this assessment is to determine the extent to which students use social media. Their interest in integrating social media into courses is also considered. The perception of students is also considered for the usefulness of social media. 1162 students were invited by email. The overall response rate was 30% from the collective response periods. Facebook and Instagram were used by 91% students and less than half use Twitter and LinkedIn. 68% of students out of the respondents communicate on social media daily. The company can get good rating on social sites which helps to increase credit worthiness of university. The students give preference to the highly rated companies.

The time and privacy concerns are the largest barrier to usage. It is also seen that one third of students are in favour of the incorporation of social network. The usage of social media by universities has become widespread. The universities are identifying not only opportunities but risks associated with it. Facebook is used by 98% of universities for the presence on networking social site. Other social media options used are Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and emails. These tools are used to recruit staff and evaluate potential applicants. There is potential risk to the brand of university. The students can post their personal blog on the page of university. In this case, university will be held responsible. The negative comments on Instagram can spoil the image of university. The Twitter is also used by the exposed people who hold racist views.  

Professional Development of Universities

There are some other options which can be used by university other than the social media. There can be other options like face to face networking. The effective methods of face to face networking are conference and network events. The conference is the most effective way to meet face to face students. The university can made personal connection with students. It also allows meeting new and perspective students. It can give ability to grow business exponentially. The surveys can be used by the university such as by surveymonkey.com. It can help in understanding the preference of students. The events can be organised by universities specifying time duration and types of courses and degrees. In the events more details specified. The conference brings together various fields such as technology, entertainment, health, music, coding, journalism and every field possible. These events are conducted for the specified days. It can take place quarterly, half yearly or yearly. The organisations who want to increase business network can launch career through face to face meetings. It is one of the easiest ways to meet people. It creates meaningful relationships and offers growth opportunities. It builds the human relationships and avoids misunderstandings. 

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