Build Your Professional Presence
Build your professional network, search for jobs, and show employers who you are -
all in one place.
LinkedIn is a free professional networking platform used by employers, recruiters, and job
seekers worldwide. Setting up a strong profile and connecting with professionals in
your field gives you a real head start when it's time to apply for jobs or internships.
Why a strong LinkedIn profile (and network) matters:
- Get found by employers. Recruiters actively search LinkedIn for candidates. A complete, polished profile
makes it easier for the right people to find you — even before you apply for a job.
- Make a strong first impression. Many employers look up candidates on LinkedIn before or after receiving a resume.
Your profile is a chance to show more of who you are than a one-page document can.
- Build your professional network. LinkedIn connects you with classmates, faculty, alumni, and professionals in your
field. The relationships you build now can lead to job leads, mentors, and references
down the road.
- Discover job and internship opportunities. LinkedIn's job search feature lets you filter by role, location, and industry. Many
employers post openings exclusively on LinkedIn.
- Show your growth over time. A LinkedIn profile captures your full journey — coursework, projects, volunteer work,
certifications, and jobs — in a way that a resume often cannot.
- Stay informed about your field. Following companies and professionals in your industry keeps you up to date on trends,
news, and opportunities relevant to your career goals.
- Stand out with recommendations. LinkedIn lets professors, supervisors, and colleagues write recommendations that
appear directly on your profile, adding credibility that a resume alone cannot provide.
- Start early, benefit longer. The sooner you build your profile and network, the more connections and opportunities
you will have by the time you graduate.
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