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Professional Learning Network

Recently I have taken a dive into Professional Learning Networks (PLN). You probably participate in many different forms of PLNs without even realizing it. Essentially any connections you make with like minded professionals would be considered part of your PLN. You can do this through social media, organizations, conferences, webinars and more. All professionals are often building connections with like this on a regular basis and thus growing their professional network. While I am pursing my school librarian certification, I am also working in an elementary school and at a public library. I am constantly seeking advice and ideas from the people I work with and through content I am regularly participating in or interact with (Instagram, YouTube, etc). There are so many different ways to get involved!

Image Source: Tenor

Bluesky

        I recently heard of the social networking app, Bluesky. This app came in response to the turnover of Twitter to X. Many professionals and personal accounts made their way to this app. After some exploration I made my own account to be able to continue growing my own PLN and have an app that felt more like my "professional" outlet. This way I can compile ideas and follow other librarians that I admire and look up to, like Amanda Jones! I found the set up and format to be very similar to Twitter. There are ways to participate in live chats as well, but I haven't been able to figure it out yet. I found that this was an incredibly easy way for me to get more passively involved and informed through a social media app.

Personality Tests & PLNs

        While it is incredibly important to grow you PLN with the people and organizations that you join, I think it is also incredibly important to take stock in your own perspectives. I took 3 different "personality tests" to see what strengths I have and what potential boundaries or weaknesses I could identify to make sure that I am growing professionally and personally. I am wary of such tests, as I feel that they can change year-to-year and even in some cases on a day-to-day basis! I also found that while I was answering questions and scenarios that I would think to myself, "is this in my personal life or in my work life?".

        Here are the 3 tests that I took for this thought experiment (I will post the screenshots of the tests in a separate blog post if you'd like the read them).

        According to the Myers-Briggs test and the NERIS test I am ISFJ (introverted, sensing, feeling, judging). However, the Five Factor Test identified me as 62% extroverted, which is definitely not true. I know I am introverted! I do enjoy spending time with my few close personal friends, but in terms of my personal life, I recharge my battery with more quiet alone time. I feel that it is possible that I started answering the Five Factor Test as if the situations were work related. At work I am very outgoing because it is an important part of my job! As both an educator and a librarian I have to collaborate with others and strive to build and make relationships at work. I feel that this may be why the results skew.

Image Source: "Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator" author's results
Image Source: "NERIS Type Indicator" author's results

        Here is a condensed breakdown of the 3 reports for comparison. 

Image Source: author

Final Thoughts

        I do agree with a good chunk of the information these tests gave me. I am responsible and dependable and I do often struggle with burnout because I want to be a supportive friend and coworker. I have also been told by people that I am considerate, grounded and a loyal friend. I know that I prefer a plan, routines and structure but I do feel that when unexpected things happen that I am able to pivot well. I think that the things that I found the most accurate were the "weaknesses" or pitfalls that the 3 highlighted. Making sure I'm not over committing myself or that I don't speak enough about my successes and that hurts me in the long run for professional growth. These are things that I feel that now that I am aware of that I can work on and make professional growth goals. For example, I can work on making sure that I am not down playing the work that I do. I have been at the library I work at just over a year, so I can make 3 steps in this second year to make sure that I am not keeping myself from growing opportunities. First, I can ask for more responsibility at my up coming annual 1-on-1 meeting with my supervisor. Second, I can apply and interview for any opening roles in my department. I am hoping to be able to work more hours there and ultimately become full-time someday! Third, I can make sure that I am a valuable team member that helps out whenever possible and support my team (while still being aware of my workaholic tendencies and not taking on too much so that I burn out).  

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