#loweclass started creating LinkedIn profiles as assignments beginning my first semester teaching. Some students took to the task seriously; others not so much. Those among them who have landed jobs or internships along the way are likely the ones maximizing its potential. Indeed, the first time that Mrs. Lowe showed off at the Diederich College of Communication she urged my students to not only have a LinkedIn profile, but to check it every day.
Among this weekend's class assignments is creating or updating one's profile. Pleased that there's plenty of assistance online for students aiming to present themselves to the world:
- Linked In Higher Education: Student Jobs 101
- LinkedIn for Students (With Videos and Quick Tip Sheets)
- LinkedIn Profile Checklist
- 7 Ways College Students Can Benefit From LinkedIn
- 14 Mistakes You're Making on LinkedIn (.pdf)
- What Every College Student Should Post on LinkedIn
- Here's What to Say In Your LinkedIn 'Summary' Statement
- How to Attract More Recruiters to Your LinkedIn Profile
My LinkedIn profile is by no means perfect. Even so, I generally do not "connect" with students or anyone else who hasn't taken the time to reasonably develop their profile. I wish more people would avoid some of those mistakes that Kim Brown of Syracuse University included in the before-mentioned PDF. My students, in particular, will not get away with typos (or AP Style concerns), inadequate photos or summaries or a LinkedIn URL that isn't unique. Here's another webpage from LinkedIn, updated last month, explaining how to customize the URL.
I look forward to reviewing my students' profiles with them soon. I'm sure they will be great.