The Connected Professional

    Professionals learn from a variety of resources-- not just other, more experienced people-- in order to become the Connected Professional. Who is the Connected Professional? It's someone who's branched out and networked, who is always self-bettering, and hungry for knowledge.

The main places we learn this from are in 3 prongs:

• Local Communities-- The people we have meaningful face-to-face interactions on a daily basis such as friends, family, coworkers, and colleagues
• Global Networks-- Not only traditional sources of knowledge, but resources we find on the internet
• Bounded Communities-- The people we meet online who have the same interests and goals as us

Face-to-Face: Professional Learning Communities

    We can call these face-to-face connections "Professional Learning Communities". These are places that challenge us, improve us, and let us share with each other. In these spaces, leadership and feedback are shared and we support each other's goals. This is a place for fostering positive competition.

    They take time to build, but is crucial to your future as a professional-- especially someone who works as a freelancer. Participation in your professional learning communities is crucial to becoming a connected professional.

Getting Connected: Personal Learning Network

    The internet has made accessible knowledge that was previously prohibitive under traditional means. Using a global network means creating your own "Personal Learning Network". This means connecting an online community and using the internet to communicate with your face to face communities better. This day and age, the lines between real life and online life are blurred. Sometimes the people you once spoke to everyday only become available to talk to online. Sometimes the people you meet online may also become people you have meaningful face-to-face communication with. 

    Your personal learning network blurs the lines between your local communities and bounded communities. Networking is so important as a freelancer. It's important for the individual-- not only for personal success or financial gain, but also in self discovery. It's so important for finding opportunities you wouldn't be able to find on your own. 

Internet Friends: Communities of Practice

Finally, we come to your bounded communities, or your "Communities of Practice". These communities are groups made of like-minded people who view each other as equals, work together to build strong communities, and have a strong community identity. These can be anything from professional careers to hobbies to even fans of TV shows. Communities of Practice are everywhere and most people join them without even thinking about it consciously.

As mentioned before, your professional learning communities and your communities of practice may move within one another naturally through your global networks. It's important to be an active participant in both your real life and your online life.

What's The Difference?

While these seem the same, their differences lie in method of organization, purpose for organizing, structure of their organization, and focus.

• Professional Learning Communities
• Organized for you through a job or organization
• Face-To-Face for the purpose of collaboration
• Personal Learning Network
• DIY, Organized by you
• Encompasses both face-to-face and online communications for the purpose of personal growth
• Communities of Practice
• Community Organized
• Encompasses both online and real life connections for the purpose of advancing the community

Final Goals and Putting into Practice

The goal of these communities are ultimately to put what was learned in them into practical action. The acquisition of skills and knowledge are great, but to what use are you putting them towards as a professional? As a freelancer? How about when you're off the clock?

Remember that human beings are built to work with each other. Ultimately, becoming the Connected Professional is about working together to build a better future.

Thank you for reading,

Shaun DiGiovanni