Social Media – Protecting Your Professional Reputation

As part of an engagement session with Edgehill University, Ruth Dalton, Group Communications Manager for New Directions Education delivered ‘Social Media – Protecting Your Professional Reputation’. The session was aimed at highlighting to undergraduates the do’s and don’ts of using social media. Speaking to the room of 90+ students Ruth asked ‘How often have you logged on to your Facebook account and updated your drunken status?’. The room responded with audible laughter. Ruth continued ‘The next time you do so, think about the potential Head Teacher who may review your social media pages to weigh up an important job offer.’

New Directions Education has been a partner to the education sector since 1999. As well as providing a recruitment and training service, the business also has a team of industry experts who aim to support NQT’s and other newly qualified professionals within the sector. As well as Ruth, the team have a number of retired Head Teachers who deliver innovative and interesting sessions within FE and HE institutions around the UK about preparing for life in the education sector. Ruth is a former Marketing Manager for City of Bristol College, and has also worked for Thames Valley University (now University of West London) and East Berkshire College.

Course: Social Media – Protecting Your Professional Reputation

Delivered by: Ruth Dalton, Group Communications Manager

Overview: Social Media has taken over the world as we know it. Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and many more forums exist to create a more united online world. As undergraduates, or as students planning a career within the education sector, how well are you protecting your professional reputation? Ruth Dalton, Group Communications Manager for New Directions Education delivers an insightful lecture to students about the perils and pitfalls of over exposure on social media. The session aims to highlight the good work and the added value it can add to a career search. But, equally it explores the negative side when inappropriate online behaviour can cause grave damage to future job applications. Many potential employers admit to reviewing applicants social media pages, how can teachers of the future protect themselves?