As my professional life becomes increasingly intertwined with digital systems, platforms, and data practices, I’ve been thinking more intentionally about what it means to “show up” online with purpose. For much of my career, my digital presence has been minimal, scattered, and shaped more by circumstance than by deliberate choice. A quick search of my name makes this clear: the top results belong not to me, but to Celine Provost, a mixed martial arts fighter. My own digital traces appear much further down – a basic LinkedIn profile, a student-generated Rate My Professor page, and an Instagram account I rarely update. This disconnect between who I am and how I appear online has prompted me to reflect on what it means to cultivate a digital identity that feels authentic, relational, and aligned with my professional commitments and goals.

My Goal and Purpose for Cultivating a Digital Presence

Moving forward, I want to develop a more intentional LinkedIn profile that highlights the work I’m committed to, the communities I engage with, and the opportunities I hope to share with others. I’m not motivated by expectations or employer-driven metrics; instead, I aim to share content that is meaningful, sustainable, and woven naturally into my professional routines.

This shift requires moving from a passive, employer-driven digital footprint to a more active, self-authored one. I want to highlight my professional and academic contributions, connect others to resources, and participate more fully in the professional conversations that matter to me. Reflecting through the lens of Rowland and Estevens (2024), I see how much of my current presence is sparse, fragmented, and externally shaped; especially when one of my most visible representations is a platform I do not control (Rate My Professor). Completing this Google search made clear that I have been operating far more as a visitor than I realized, entering digital spaces only when necessary and leaving little trace (White & LeCornu, 2011).

For me, LinkedIn feels like the right place to begin reimagining my digital presence. As Danah Boyd (2011) reminds us, social network sites function as network publics – spaces where people gather, share, and construct meaning through persistent, searchable content. LinkedIn offers the features I need to build a more visible professional identity, foster deeper relational connections, and present a narrative of my work that is far more accurate than what a Google search currently reveals.

Current Gaps

Becoming more intentional also means acknowledging the gaps I need to address. I’m still developing comfort with public self-representation, and I often question whether what I have to share is “worth” posting, an internal hesitation that echoes the participation divide described by Hargittai and Walejko (2008). Posting here and on other platforms is not yet a comfortable practice for me, and my limited engagement with others’ content makes it harder to build reciprocity or community. These barriers are real, but not insurmountable.

Strategies to Address These Gaps

My first step will be adopting a purpose-driven approach to content by sharing project highlights, offering reflections on teaching and learning, circulating opportunities and resources, and acknowledging the work of colleagues.

Beginning with modest goals feels essential, so I will be focusing on establishing a steady, sustainable rhythm through weekly comments or shares, posting original content every two to three weeks, and writing a longer reflection each quarter. I also hope to deepen my presence by responding thoughtfully to others, contextualizing the opportunities I share, and maintaining relationships through direct messages. These small, relational practices support the kind of digital identity I aspire to cultivate and reflect the intentional approach I’m working towards.

Another strategy is to treat my LinkedIn profile as a living document. Updating my “About” section to reflect my values, revising my experience descriptions to tell a more narrative story, and choosing visuals that better represent my professional identity all contribute to ensuring that search engines produce a version of me that feels more authentic and intentional. Drawing on Rowland and Estevens (2024), I plan to revisit these choices regularly by asking:

  • What story is my digital presence telling?
  • Who is shaping that story?
  • How is it evolving alongside my work?

Measures of Success

Success won’t be measured by metrics or viral reach. Instead, I’ll be looking for signs of alignment: whether my profile begins appearing before unrelated search results, whether I can maintain a sustainable rhythm of posting, whether new or deepened professional relationships emerge, and whether sharing feels meaningful rather than obligatory. Most importantly, I’ll be paying attention to whether my digital presence reflects the values and commitments that guide my work.

Conclusion

Cultivating a digital identity is an ongoing practice shaped by platforms, communities, and personal growth. As Dron and Anderson (2014) note, learning in networked environments is inherently social and participatory. Throughout the MALAT program, I hope to develop a digital presence that reflects both who I am and who I am becoming.

Right now my digital identity is minimal, fragmented, and shaped largely by others. However, through intentional engagement, particularly on LinkedIn, I’m beginning to imagine a digital self that is more coherent, relational, and reflective of my professional life.

Footnote: AI (Microsoft Copilot) was used to improve the language in the final draft of this reflection. All ideas are authentically mine.

References

Boyd, D. (2011). Social Network Sites as Networked Publics: Affordances, Dynamics, and Implications. In Z. Papacharissi (Ed.), A Networked Self (pp. 39–58). New York, NY: Rutledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203876527-8

Dron, J., & Anderson, T. (2014). Teaching Crowds (4th ed.). ACP – Athabasca University Press.

Hargittai, E., & Walejko, G. (2008). THE PARTICIPATION DIVIDE: Content creation and
sharing in the digital age1. Information, Communication & Society, 11(2), 239–256.
https://doi.org/10.1080/13691180801946150

Rowland, J., & Estevens, J. (2025). “What is your digital identity?” Unpacking users’ understandings of an evolving concept in datafied societies. Media, Culture & Society, 47(2), 336-353. https://doi.org/10.1177/0163443724128224

White, D. S., & Le Cornu, A. (2011). Visitors and residents: A new typology for online engagement. First Monday, 16(9). https://doi.org/10.5210/fm.v16i9.3171