Blog Post #4: Inclusion in PLN

HOW DIVERSE IS YOUR PLN?

My PLN encompasses professionals from diverse backgrounds, including various ethnicities, educational backgrounds, and cultures, thanks to my background in the hospitality industry. I have built connections with numerous individuals working in the hospitality and tourism industry who have supported me throughout my career. Upon transferring to UVIC, my PLN became even more diverse and began to include young students and professionals who share my vision and mission. Throughout my academic years, I have had the opportunity to connect with many amazing professionals in my field of interest, accounting and business analysis. Additionally, the University of Victoria offers a great Mentorship Program where I met one of my mentors. In my previous post, I emphasized the importance of having a mentor to guide you, and I am fortunate to have two. Currently, I am working as a junior business co-op at an innovative SaaS company, where I have been able to expand my professional network (PLN). I am actively building relationships with my teammates, and by the end of my co-op work term, I hope to develop strong personal connections with them. 

ARE YOU LEARNING FROM A VARIETY OF DIVERSE VOICES? ARE YOU EXPANDING YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE VIEW OF OTHERS?

Throughout my previous role in a management team during my professional years, I had the opportunity to interact with a diverse range of individuals, each with unique backgrounds. These backgrounds encompass education, cultures, languages, work ethic, ethnicities, countries of origin, and more. A variety of diverse voices fostered collaboration and creativity both within and outside the department I managed. I made a conscious effort to incorporate different perspectives, viewpoints, and ideas when developing new initiatives for the department, aiming to enhance productivity and efficiency. Furthermore, working directly with numerous external stakeholders and guests and receiving their feedback significantly expanded my willingness to understand the views of others. 

Moreover, throughout my academic years at Camosun and UVIC, I had the opportunity to collaborate with students from diverse backgrounds around the world. This experience proved to be the most effective way of expanding my understanding of different perspectives. Particularly in team settings, I was naturally exposed to numerous opportunities to listen to and comprehend my fellow team members’ opinions and points of view. It’s impossible to count the number of times I was amazed or shocked by the ideas they brought forth. If I had worked alone, I would have never conceived of those ideas! 

One more important aspect I have realized is that it is not solely about opinions and ideas. It is also about understanding the process through which individuals develop their ideas and what enables them to feel comfortable expressing themselves. People vary in their natural inclination toward extroversion; some are naturally extroverted, while others are not. 

WHAT IS THE LEARNING OUTCOME OF YOUR PLN? HOW ARE YOU ENSURING YOUR EXPOSURE TO DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION?

The article ‘One without the Other,’ written by Shelly Moore, deeply resonates with me and significantly broadens my perspective on the concept of inclusion. One particular phrase that profoundly impacted me was, ‘Inclusion is not just about students with special needs; inclusion means everyone – but actually everyone.’ Society highlights the importance of inclusion but tends to focus primarily on special needs, disabilities, genders, and other sensitive topics. Inclusion means richness in diversity, cultures, and language, and most importantly, the diversity of ability. 

Growing up, I have always naturally gravitated towards people and contexts that are familiar and feel safe. Looking back on my academic years, I often formed friendships with individuals who looked similar to me and shared similar backgrounds and cultures. 

The learning outcome of my PLN is that it plays a significant role in my personal and professional journey, but only if I fully take advantage of it (in a positive way 😊). As mentioned in my previous posts, a PLN offers numerous benefits for building a professional journey enriched with networks of individuals, resources, and communities. Engaging with these networks facilitates continuous learning and fosters professional growth.

I ensure diversity and inclusion in my PLN by connecting with employees from other departments. We have a weekly ‘Donut Be Strangers’ event where I get to chat with a team member outside of Operations. This gives me a deeper understanding of other professions, allows me to find new interests, and expands my network. I am planning to join clubs in my 4th year to expand my PLN and engage more in community events to build relationships with professionals. 

HOW LIKELY INDIVIDUALS ARE GOING TO CONTINUE WITH THEIR CREATED CONTENT AND NETWORK?

With the emergence of social media, networking and building a Personal Learning Network have become more accessible and likely. However, not all individuals succeed or have a ‘digital legacy,’ as referenced in the article ‘Digital Leader: Five Simple Keys to Success & Influence’ by Erik Qualman. The key element of possessing a digital legacy is the level of commitment and persistence. The same applies to networking. Networking does not just happen out of nowhere. In some cases, individuals may click and form long-lasting relationships. However, individuals need to be consistent in staying in touch, communicating, and sharing knowledge to help each other grow and maintain healthy relationships.

References 

Moore, S. (2017). One Without the Other: Stories of Unity Through Diversity and Inclusion. Portage & Main Press. 

Qualman, E. (2012). Digital leader : 5 simple keys to success and influence (1st edition). McGraw-Hill.

Non-Discrimination and Inclusion – The Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law. (2023, May 5). The Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law. https://rwi.lu.se/what-we-do/focus-areas/inclusive-societies/