Social media can enhance career growth

BY JOHN KARIUKI

 Recently, Kenya's new Chief Justice, Willy Mutunga, joined the social media networks. In less than 24 hours, he had over 3,000 friends.

Effectively, Dr Mutunga has joined scores of employees who have seen the career-enhancing potential of Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Myspace.

Social media is emerging as a powerful networking tool for both employers and employees. One can get  real-time and unbiased feedback of their supplies from the market.

Yet, another benefit is getting honest opinions on germane workplace issues from one’s counterparts the world over. There is potential to make virtually endless number of friends on this platform.

The social media can be an avenue for professionals to share their ideas, engage in philanthropy and mobilise communities.

In many offices, there may not be an official avenue through which employees can express their community spirit but through social media, they have an adequate outlet.

Walter Karimi, a banker sustains direct conversations with his Internet friends from all corners of the world. “At a relatively low cost, I have picked a few career ideas after connecting with some of my friends in the banking industry,” he says.

But he admits that he is a little apprehensive to share his professional experiences with people he hardly knows about save for what they claim to be on line.

But Joseph Thuranira, a tour guide has no such reservations. He uses the social media to share stories and to market his business. Thuranira has seen the vast potential of the platform in furthering his career.

“I have clinched several to guide people when they visit through the social media,” he says.

He praises the social media as the ideal forum where friends can advertise their skills and connect to people in need of their services.

“There are no industry experts or dissatisfied clients to give their feedback but friends can enrich your career by looking at all aspects of it on the social media,” he says.

Chris Mundia, a graphic designer, had some reservations before signing up on the social media. But at staff brief in office, he was awed by his boss’ mastery of current designing concepts and programmes.

He says his boss revealed he had learnt everything from his peers in the vast the social media. Mundia’s signing up on the social media was most opportune.

“I am now in regular contact with some graphic designers and book illustrators abroad whom I first met in the social media and my job is no longer scaring and lonely,” he says.

Mundia acknowledges that social networking is crucial for him because, the people that one chats with are likely to give good references for him should he contemplate going for greener pastures.

“Visibility is everything in these times of international jobs”, he says, adding that social media helps one to stand out.