LinkedIn - Being Someone You Want to Be

Most people usually associate LinkedIn with flexing about a six-figure job, posting dramatic stories about saving a cat who turned out to be the CEO of Apple, or even celebrating your latest Clash of Clans victory.

However, I’ve found LinkedIn to be particularly useful for personal development. When I first started using LinkedIn, I was overwhelmed by the amount of information and the sheer number of accomplished professionals—it gave me a serious case of imposter syndrome. But instead of letting it discourage me, I decided to look at it from a different side.

I realised: LinkedIn is one of the few free platforms that provides invaluable career planning resources directly from top professionals in your field.

Despite the initial intimidation of seeing profiles filled with impressive experiences, I came to understand that I could work towards being like those people by following in their footsteps.

Learning from Role Models

I was able to find a few people who I wanted to live up to, working at companies I aspired to join. By exploring their profiles, I could trace their career paths. I studied the internships they took, the roles they pursued, and the steps they followed to achieve their goals. This gave me a clearer picture of what it would take to reach my dream companies.

Extracurricular Really Helps

For current students or recent graduates, especially those who attended your university, LinkedIn can be a treasure trove of extracurricular inspiration. By looking at the profiles of alumni or peers, I discovered programs, leadership training opportunities, and prestigious-sounding awards that were specifically relevant to my stage of life but hadn’t crossed my radar before. Often, these are opportunities many of us qualify for but never come across because we’re simply unaware of them.

Making LinkedIn Work for You

Using LinkedIn effectively means being proactive and brave. Instead of just scrolling, take initiative:

• Reaching out to people: Shoot your shot by messaging professionals in your desired field. If you reach out to 20 people, chances are at least three will reply, and you might even secure a coffee chat.
  

• Following professionals in your desired industry: Look at their career journeys and take notes on what experiences helped them get where they are.
  

• Discovering opportunities: Keep an eye on programs, certifications, and awards they mention or are involved in—these could be stepping stones for your career. LinkedIn, when used correctly, can be a life-changing tool.

Some examples of LinkedIn experiences I’ve really benefited from is one like this:

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If you have any questions on anything, feel free to send me an email or drop a message on the website!