Blog Introduction

Hello fellow bloggers,

My name is Austin; I am a Brock University student in the Bachelor of Accounting Co-op Program. During my first three years in this program I have enjoyed a mix of classroom education and several months of work experience at a certified training office for the Certified Public Accountant (formerly Chartered Accountant) profession. Aside from work and school I love everything to do with hockey from playing to watching to attending games. During the summer months, I enjoy golfing frequently. Due to the digital nature of my job and the direction of society as a whole towards an increase in the use of the digital environment, I have enrolled in an adult education class titled "Learning in a Digital Context", also known as the reason I am writing this blog. Throughout my education thus far, the Internet has been a great resource for research and general knowledge. For the most part, especially early on I used it exclusively as a resource, just as you would a book from the library or an encyclopedia. As the Internet and my understanding of the web improved, I began to create profiles on sites that interested me or that I visited frequently, either as a form of communication with the digital world. Without knowing, I had started to create my own “digital footprint” a term that I had never heard of until beginning this adult education course. Most people, especially ones that aren’t familiar with the Internet have a strong opinion that leaving any type of trail on the Internet is a bad thing, and in certain situations that may be true. However, through the opening weeks of “Learning in a Digital Context” I have learned that it is important to create a digital footprint for yourself so that you can be reflected in a positive light. Creating a positive and professional image on the Internet will allow you to seem more appealing to potential employers. There are various methods for creating and maintaining the digital perception you want of yourself, many of which I have learned more about through the readings before creating this blog. As I have discovered, it is apparently not enough to “Google yourself” every once in a while to see what embarrassing pictures show up. It is ideal to be proactive and create a professional image, so when your employer searches your name it comes up with something that is a reflection of your professionalism and integrity. Throughout the remainder of this course, my main goal is to continue to learn about the various aspects of the digital world and how to better use them in an educational, personal and professional setting. I look forward to discovering new means of communication that could increase the chances of making connections with potential employers and peers throughout and following the conclusion of the course. I know that there is so much to learn about effective use of the digital world in everyday life, but I believe that throughout this course I will be given some of the tools to utilize all the World Wide Web has to offer.