LinkedIn is a tool beyond what is used by professionals. It is also for high school students to put forward their achievements, connect with mentors, and get into touch with future opportunities. Early in your high school years you can build a strong profile which in turn will help you stand out for internships, scholarships, summer programs and even college admissions. Here is a step by step guide to put together a great, student friendly LinkedIn presence.
1. Sign in and pick a professional photo for your profile.
Start by setting up a free LinkedIn account with your personal email. For your profile picture choose something that is clear, friendly and professional think back to class pictures, not a selfie or group shot. A clean background and a real smile is what we are going for.
2. Craft a great title.
Your bio is right under your name. Instead of a generic “Student at [School] try to put in what you are into. Go for “Aspiring Biomedical Engineer Science Olympiad Captain STEM Volunteer. This will grab attention and immediately tells the audience who you are.
3. Create a strong summary.
In the About section, tell a little bit about yourself in the 3rd person if possible. Talk about what you are studying, your out of class interests and what you are looking to get out of the experience (i.e. internships, research, networking). Keep it positive, authentic, and free of errors.
4. Point out Education.
List your high school, expected graduation date, and which relevant courses you have taken also include any that you may have taken online or over the summer.
5. Display Proven Track Record.
In the Experience section also note down internships, part time jobs, volunteer work, or major school projects. Use action verbs to describe what you did and how you did it and if you can -- report on any quantifiable results.
6. Add to Extracurricular and Leadership.
In the “Organizations” and “Volunteer Experience” sections put forth your involvement in clubs, sports, student government, and community service. Also put stress on your leadership roles, awards, and the impact you had.
7. Present Skills and Certifications.
Add skills related to what you are interested in like public speaking, coding, research, or teamwork. Also include certifications from online platforms (Coursera, edX, Google, etc. to show initiative and expertise.
8. Ask for Recommendations.
Ask your teachers, coaches, or supervisors to write you recommendations. A few sentences on how you work or what your character is like may make your profile stand out.
9. Grow Your Network.
Connect with your classmates, teachers, program coordinators, and the professionals you meet at events. Include a short note which explains how you know them.
10. Stay engaged and report in regularly.
Share content, leave comments on posts, and post about your achievements (like winning a competition or completing a course). As you gain experience update your profile, active profiles attract more.
As a high school student build out your LinkedIn profile which is an investment in your future. By sharing what you have achieved and connecting with others you will open up to mentorship, internships and a world of professional growth.
If you are a high school student wanting to go above and beyond in order to stand out on college applications, RISE Research can offer you the opportunity to work one-on-one with mentors from elite universities around the world.
With its independent research projects and mentors’ tailored guidance to each student, RISE Research allows for your work to lead to recognized publications, and to an academic profile that is conference-ready. There are flexible program dates and opportunities for ambitious students to apply all year, and family can travel anywhere in the world. If you want to learn more, to determine eligibility, costs and how to get involved, be sure to visit RISE Research’s official website and take your college prep experience to the next level!
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