Abstract:
Purpose: This study explores how individuals utilize social media to
establish personal brands, focusing on their impact on professional growth,
networking, and career development, offering valuable insights into this
evolving field.
Design/Methodology/Approach: This study used a quantitative
approach, surveying final year students and graduates from University of
Colombo and University of Jaffna using convenient sampling and online
questionnaires. Regression analysis was used to investigate the impact of
social media usage on personal branding, specifically its influence on
professional growth, networking, and career development.
Findings: The result reveals that social media is essential for personal
branding, career development, networking, and professional growth,
bridging the gap between personal and professional spheres. A strong
online personal brand attracts potential employers, peers, and business
leaders for collaboration, highlighting its significant impact on professional
success and personal fulfillment. It is crucial in today's job market,
promoting continuous growth, networking, and career advancement
through digital identities for individuals and organizations.
Research limitations: This study only looked at branding on social media
from the standpoint of individuals. It’s limited to the Colombo and Jaffna
university final year students and graduates.
Implications: Those who use social media for personal branding effectively
can have a big impact on their career path, highlighting its visibility,
potential for knowledge demonstration, network growth, and career
advancement. It suggests that this knowledge can be applied to
organizational social media policies, aligning with employees' preferred
platforms. Integrating this research into educational curricula can equip students and professionals with the necessary skills for effective social
media use.
