“Hello! My name is Shannon and I have two identities - Interpreter Shannon and Social Shannon.”
In an age of Computer Mediated Communication (CMC) I, as a new professional, become hyper aware of internet content, especially internet content concerning myself. As a pre-certified interpreter, I feel the pull of social media as a form of networking. I stated before that I caved to peer-pressure and created accounts of Facebook and LiveJournal to keep in touch after a cross-country move. Those first few months were filled with struggles, so naturally I posted on them. Now, I look back and realize that was great for my own personal growth, but accomplished very little for me professionally.
I recently read an article talking about “The Impact of Communicating Online” (Montagna, 2011) and feel that it hit on something crucial. How do I maintain my social and professional needs on an essentially unsecure universe that is the internet? A seemingly obvious answer was given - “I create a positive space that is an accurate reflection of my professional identity to round out my online persona.” (Montagna, 2011)
BRILLIANT! I so often feel like I have two identities - Interpreter Shannon and Social Shannon. Both of these sides deserve a clear and articulate voice; there is no reason to make them share a single space. My new goal is to create such a space for Interpreter Shannon; a dedicated space where I can give credit to my professional side. To this end I started an account on a website strictly for interpreters. This account is still under construction, but with a little bit of direction I feel like it is the answer (at the very least the first step) I am looking for – breathing room on the internet.
Works Cited
Montagna, Nicole. (2011). The impact of communicating online. RID Views, 28(1), 34-35.
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