LinkedIn can be seen differently by many people. For some, it is just a networking tool. For others, it is a platform where individuals and businesses share opportunities, news regarding current events, job postings and internship guidance. As a senior at Villanova, LinkedIn has had many positive impacts throughout my college experience. The community at Villanova is collaborative but also competitive, especially within the Villanova School of Business.
Since freshman year, most students start searching for summer internship opportunities, especially at firms such as Goldman Sachs, McKinsey, KPMG, JPMorgan and other financial institutions. While everyone is willing to help each other, it can feel very frustrating knowing that some students have internships lined up since the Fall Semester of freshman or sophomore year for the following summer. However, resources such as the Villanova Career Center, Clay Center, O’Donnell Center for Professional Development, Handshake and LinkedIn can be very useful for navigating this process.
During my sophomore and junior year, Villanova’s Career Center helped me prepare for interviews and offered guidance throughout the process. LinkedIn was also another platform that I used during this process, as it allowed me to connect with recruiters from different companies and employees. However, some people relate LinkedIn to impostor syndrome because they might feel overwhelmed by seeing the achievements of others or they can also feel “less qualified” for a position. In my experience, I see LinkedIn as a great tool when it comes to job and internship search. It also allows me to keep up with current events in the business world, and some users also share interviews, resume and cover letter tips which can also be very useful, especially as a college student.
In addition, LinkedIn can also help one create their professional brand. Most recruiters actively look for potential candidates through LinkedIn and having a strong profile can increase a person’s chances of getting their profile seen by recruiters.
Sophia Lutzker, a sophomore economics major, understands the value of an updated, professional LinkedIn.
“I love Linkedin because it’s a lot more comprehensive than a resume,” says Lutzker. “It gives me an opportunity to showcase experiences to employers that maybe my other materials didn’t adequately cover.”
I think it is up to each individual to decide how they want to use their tools. As a senior, I know Villanova has ample resources to guide students for internship search, job placement post-graduation and interview preparation. Although this process can be very daunting, students are most likely to succeed by reaching out to individuals who have professional experience rather than navigating the process on their own.
