LinkedIn

More students are using LinkedIn, and you should too

You've probably heard of LinkedIn, the "Facebook for professionals" with over 200 million users. We've assembled a list of reasons of why it's a great idea for students to start using LinkedIn while still attending college. 

Connecting with professionals - At its core, LinkedIn provides professionals an opportunity to connect with each other over the internet. While students might say "add me on Facebook", professionals will ask that you add them on LinkedIn. This way, when that executive looks at your profile, they don't see party pictures, but a polished profile with work history and skills. 

Sharing ideas and discussion - Attending a college like Whitman is about exploring your passions, and LinkedIn has over a million groups dedicated to sharing thoughts about every topic you can think of. They provide an excellent opportunity to connect with professionals and enthusiasts who share your interests, and can expand your network to broader horizons.

Exploring your career options - There are so many different paths to take with your career, and LinkedIn gives you an opportunity to browse the paths of other professionals. Are you interested in consulting? You can search for consultants on LinkedIn, and view their skills and career history. If you have more questions, you can contact them and ask for an informational interview, which gives you the opportunity to network and learn about the important skills and experiences relevant to your career path.

Researching organizations - Over 1 million organizations have public profiles on LinkedIn, which gives you an opportunity to learn more about their company culture, connect with employees, and apply for job openings. 

Increasing your visibility - LinkedIn is a huge network, and once you have registered and fully completed your profile, you have made yourself visible to professionals and organizations around the world. The overwhelming majority of recruiters now use social media (and LinkedIn especially) to scout for potential employees. This trend is only increasing, with more hiring occurring in-network than on public job boards. 

Login or create a profile by using the link below