Formatting, citing, reflecting....one big struggle!

As we all endeavor to complete our first big hand in I just thought I'd make a brief post with some of the hurdles I am struggling to overcome whilst completing this task. I have noticed in myself that I have unintentionally been disregarding my blog over the past week, simply due to the fact that I have felt under pressure with this work load, any one else been 'feeling the heat'? I have also been finding it hard to condense the work down into 750 words, and therefore most likely missing out key reflections. In a bid to include all this I have been referring back to my blog, inserting appendix after appendix, which upon reflection in itself probably isn't the best way to go about it?! How is anyone else finding this aspect? In addition I am beginning to question the formatting of my assignment. I initially split it into 3 paragraphs covering the 3 key parts of the module, is this correct?
This is yet another part of this course where we are constantly questioning, reflecting and learning, but the difference this time is we DO have a deadline, and that prospect I am finding daunting!

Critical Reflection on Reader 3: The Networked Professional

What is a networked professional? Are they paramount to a professional network? This was something I really felt was key in first establishing, before being able to completely understand the concepts and perspectives that follow. So where better to begin than defining:

Professional Network

‘A professional network service (or, in an internet context, simply professional network) is a type of social network service that is focused solely on interactions and relationships of a business nature rather than including personal, nonbusiness interactions.’

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professional_network

‘The network of contacts a job developer can refer to when trying to help an individual find a job.’

realworkstories.org/glossary

Networked Professional 

This is a ‘term’ of which I found very limited search results when trying to find a ‘text book’ definition. Despite this I gained a greater understanding of this concept simply by being able to state clearly what a professional network entails. I feel that although a networked professional is a concept that has derived from the ‘professional network’, it is not something compulsory to the term. A networked professional is someone who I feel is in complete control and management of their differing and connective networks, benefiting them both professionally and socially.

Much like these ‘ideas’ detailed above, the concepts and perspectives that follow are of a completely knew territory to me. To be able to completely define and identify all prospects in relation to ‘networks’ is of great interest and of greatly gained knowledge to me. I found the idea of ‘affiliation’ most enthralling. It is a concept of which we can all relate to in the fact that we socialize and essentially ‘network’ with someone who we either have, or an affiliation has derived from. I truly believe we tend to initially network with people who grasp our interest, unlock our subconscious as well as provide us: 

‘with a network of support that will help us when we are in need’. 

Crisp & Turner 2007 pp266 

It is the social/psychological concept of survival, without even realizing we network with others, which potentially can benefit us. To co-inside this prospect with ‘professional networks’ it details our innate ability to connect over vast borders and tandems within a ‘networking community’, whereby in each situation it is a ‘win-win’ situation.

Another concept that really grasped me was that of ‘Connectivism’, whereby we are unknowingly networking to learn. An idea that really captures this idea is as stated by Siemens, G. (2004):

‘Informal learning is a significant aspect of our learning experience. Formal education no longer comprises the majority of our learning. Learning now occurs in a variety of ways – through communities of practice, personal networks, and through completion of work-related tasks’. 

Siemens depicts the influence of education and learning within in the nature of our network groups as well as techniques. A keen idea is that we as the individual are the beginning of the theory of connvectivism; our knowledge span alone is a network in itself. I found this concept very enlightening and particularly useful to understand, in the sense that the way we learn can be applied to how we establish and exploit our own network growth both outwards and upwards. This can be seen to be, much like learning in itself, another process that is an ever growing, endless journey.

My most important networks

How do we define our most important networks? Surely every network is of some use or importance to us as individuals? As I began to analyse my newly formed 'network diagram', I decided that to fully illustrate this task I would count my most important, as my most currently professionally used.

1. Agent - Even while training this has been a key component in enabling me to achieve work. All closed auditions are passed through my agency, whereby they will establish whether or not I am suitable for the job. Obviously my CV and eventually myself secures the job for me, but without that initial stepping stone there is a possibility I may not even be seen. I am aware that this situation or scenario is not something that is suitable for everyone, freelance and company work are also other ways of securing work. Whilst training, and therefore maturing as a performer, my vocational college had an agency attached to it which aided us in establishing jobs throughout the entirety of our time there. Once graduating we also had the option to continue on their books, or swapping to an alternative method of sourcing work. I feel for this reason, I am more comfortable to put my trust and career choices within the hands of these types of corporations. As I have only just begun to endeavor upon the performers journey I have also found they have provided me with a sense of direction, allowing me to experience and meet people I possibly would never have been able to, whilst evidently expanding my contacts and therefore network sources. 

2. Facebook - Both on a professional and social level I have found Facebook, and other similar social networking sites, becoming ever more important as a form of contact. You find that not only can you source information from your peers within this site, but professional companies and firms are beginning to advertise auditions, vacancies and classes, making them more accessible to us as the professional and general public. Despite this newly found advertisement point of great ease for us, there are also huge set backs and dangers which follow. The initial 'social' side of Facebook is becoming more readily confused with the professional side, as previously discussed when reflecting upon Reader 1 - professional communication technology, which is presenting problems within the differing environments. We as professionals do not want prospective employers to see us in any 'unacceptable' images, or view our personal 'moaning' status updates, yet we are reluctant to give up that personal side viewable to our friends. We must simply establish which profile we are using for what and stick to it, there should be no compromise when your professional career could be at stake. 

3. Spotlight - A newly found establishment for me, linked in with my agency, it is also another means by which I can view suitable and current job updates within my field. It allows me to advertise myself professionally, whilst also keeping on top of current employment, and what is being sought after. I am still very new to this media form, but again it is proving the power of being online and submerging yourself within the internet and the sources it has to offer. The difference with spotlight, however, is that it is strictly a professionals site, to also aid your own agency in promoting you. Inclusive of this membership an updated book is published each membership year for purchase. I am still yet the reap the benefits of this site, but I am already understanding the importance.

4. Peers/Friends - Though as performer we feel self sufficient and a sense of independence, the truth of it is without this component most achievements would have been negliable. These are the people we have trained or grown up with, they constantly provide an insight into our lives and offer a sense of 'support network'. You are able to talk to or lean on them, and they likewise need you, it is a very rewarding relationship. This is also a huge group when it comes to increasing the extent of your own networks, there is always someone that know someone who can provide you with your next job or contact. In addition the advantages with this group is that any connections made are all out of good will, because you are 'friends'.

5. Teaching Staff - As I am still classed as the young performer, I am able to gain vast experiences and knowledge from the people that have been where I am endeavoring to journey. The teaching aspect also supplies you with great confidence as a person. Being able to communicate your own ideas and techniques to students of a younger age is a challenge I have found to be very trying yet satisfying. I have been able to watch and learn from those above me, constantly teaching me new ways and forms within myself. They are also generally retired professionals so can provide you with an insight into the career you wish to achieve and more often than not pass on information regarding yourself to the connections they have made throughout their professional lives.

My Networks...

The range and value of our own individual networks, unknown to us, are never ending and ever expanding. The importance of who we know, particularly throughout our professional performance careers, are invaluable. There's that constant cliche of 'Its not what you know, but who you know' which is becoming ever more apparent while climbing the 'career ladder'. My own networks range and differ vastly. I need to maintain a balance to ensure a constant sense of well-being inclusive of both 'professional' and 'money' jobs as well as a social life. Whilst trying to put pen to paper in a bid to visibly show how I network, I began to notice how everything was connected. From my peers to my agent, my previous training to my family, without any of these components I would not know nor be where I am today without them. The knowledge and link that each one has provided, is key in boosting my professional profile and establishing myself. For this reason alone I decided not to visibly link each network, but group them to the variable I felt them closest to. The link below shows you my networks and how I view them:

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B31PkyUSESe6SmRvcl9pcVZUM0dBcndiZTA1c1M2dw/edit

Whilst reflecting upon my networks I began to see a pattern forming, and found a novel way to view it in the fact that networking is much like a game of snakes and ladders. Each component within your own personal network is naturally a ladder, however the impression and way you present yourself within each given situation can cause a set back i.e a snake. Though your network is very much important and personal within your world, I think we can forget that, for instance, the choreographer you worked with in a past job could be your present directors best-friend. As a performer, like it or not, we are constantly being judged and on show. In order for us to further ourselves and reach that next step, we need to gain the ability to 'tap into' alternative networks to access what until then had been hidden information.