Will Having a Blog Grow Your Career?

Yesterday we talked about whether or not writing a book was a good career move. Today we'll discuss whether or not you should have a blog that covers your industry, area of expertise, etc. in order to enhance your career.

I've actually been thinking about this issue for quite some time. I think it's a good idea for people to have blogs (or web journals or websites if you prefer) that details their thinking about their job/career and industry. There are several benefits to doing this -- mostly the same benefits that can be gained from writing a book without all the hard work at once. And, of course, a blog and a book can go hand-in-hand. You can start with a blog and turn your posts into a book or you can write a book and then provide on-going commentary and updates on your blog. The two work nicely together.

I'm not the only one that thinks this is a good idea. The Social Path lists it as one thing they would do if they were graduating this year. Their thoughts:

Start a new blog for my professional life. There's no reason to abandon personal blogs you've been writing for years, but it's probably worth starting one that you wouldn't mind sharing with your bosses. Use it as a place to talk about your career, your industry, your perspectives on emerging trends. If you care enough to have gotten a degree in something, hopefully you care enough to write about it on your own time. This blog will impress potential employers and set the stage for some paid blogging opportunities once you land a job.

Yep. Sounds like a great way to develop yourself and your thinking in your field.

In addition to blogging your thoughts on your industry, your blog/website could also include the following career-enhancing pieces:

• List of your education and degrees obtained (and GPA if impressive)
• Work-related accomplishments (without naming names/giving away company secrets). This is a "mini-resume".
• Links to positive pieces on the web written by or about you.
• Links to your account at LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.
• List of career-enhancing/interesting/non-polarizing volunteer activities. (Chairman of American Cancer Society fundraiser = yes. Phone solicitor for any political figure = no.)

I've thought about doing this myself and I'm close to taking the plunge. Then again, I already spend a lot of time blogging (if you haven't noticed.)

Anyone out there done this? If so, share your site with the rest of us so we can check you out! ;-) 

Comments

[Michael]

My brother-in-law just started medical residency. At their orientation they were all but forbidden from blogging. Even writing with pseudonyms runs the risk of breaking HIPPA laws and leaving the hospital liable for sharing patient information.

At least in certain fields, blogging might not be the best choice.

[Marko Saric]

Definitely a great step for a career. Writing a blog will get you on top of search engine results for your name and is much better than having your Facebook page or something similar on top.

Write about your field, analyse the latest trends, include your opinion... a blog is great for your CV and gives you a very professional web presence.

[Dotty dot dot]

Marko - I agree. But there is a potential flip-side. By having a blog, you could be giving prospective employers a reason not to hire you (ie. they disagree with something you've written on your blog).

As you can tell, I'm divided about the issue. My ultimate goal is to be a tenured professor, where scholarly articles and university-published books are the hallmark of success. Blogs aren't regarded as having any real significance (except, perhaps, by younger faculty members). In fact, they can be regarded as a real waste of time.

[Jim]

Question - When you say blog about your professional life, does that give your employer the rights to that blog in the future if you leave that job? What technical things do you need to consider when starting -e.g. when do you do it (on company time or your own time), on what server do you put the blog so you have access to it if you leave current job), who has the "rights" to information you post if you actually got that information during current employment? I just don't want to start something like this that ends up not being mine because I didn't think of these things first!

[FMF]

Jim --

Those are good questions. I'm sure there are various issues to consider such as when you blog, what you blog about, etc. that will impact who owns the content.

Anyone know for sure?