If you know me, you definitely know that I am LinkedIn’s number one proponent. What started as a requirement for a program in high school quickly evolved into a half-joking obsession: getting friends to join so we could add each other, editing my site for every update in my education or involvement and commenting “Congrats!” on my peers’ posts at every opportunity possible. Judging by the many requests to connect that I have received since coming to Villanova, it seems that I’m not the only one loyal to Linkedin.
Villanova’s pre-professional ethos has definitely contributed to our campus’ Linkedin culture. After all, by looking at the number of students enrolled in the business, nursing and engineering schools, it’s clear that many Villanovans, regardless of class year, are already thinking about specific career paths. This, combined with the emphasis that the University plays in promoting post-grad preparation, through career fairs, alumni networking events and other on-campus events, makes it essential to have a means of sharing resumes and contact information with relevant individuals. Therefore, aside from simply sending requests to fellow students we know and collaborate with every day, it’s not uncommon to use the app to keep in touch with connections made that could get us somewhere in the future.
That being said, there are tons of great alternatives with unique perks that deserve some hype, so I will highlight some of the best choices for Villanova students.
Handshake is probably the site whose name is most familiar to Villanova students. It is mentioned from day one during Orientation and constantly referred to as a center for booking Career Services meetings, networking with alumni, finding mentors and getting opportunities in any field. One feature that I especially appreciate is the weekly career newsletters that Villanova students, regardless of class year or major, can sign up for. Thanks to these, I’ve been able to receive information on what it’s like to work in different sectors, like government, nonprofits, communication and marketing.
“I honestly wasn’t expecting to use Handshake considering my major, but when it came to nursing externships, it was really helpful to be able to find hospitals all in one place,” junior nursing student Megan Le said.
Another popular alternative to LinkedIn, both on campus and in the wider professional world, is Indeed. It is structured in a similar way to its counterpart: users develop a profile and, according to the website, can “find millions of jobs online.” However, while LinkedIn is more focused on white-collar networking and professional development, (think finding Villanova alums in one’s field or searching for engineering internships) Indeed is better suited for part-time roles that may hire quicker (like a serving gig at a local restaurant to make money over the summer).
Freshman engineering major Rachael Janos is currently using Indeed to find a summer job close to home.
“It can be difficult because a lot of employers don’t respond to postings,” Janos said. “I recommend also emailing them individually to confirm that they saw yours and distinguish yourself right off the bat.”
The last option isn’t an app at all, but a strategy that we might forget the power of in this digital age: going out there and networking face to face. It may be intimidating, since we’re more used to the streamlined, predictable nature of apps, but having these discussions in person can be invaluable. Anything from getting involved with organizations on campus, talking to your professors about career prospects, or attending events like guest speakers or job fairs is a useful step towards meaningful connections with peers, mentors and future employers.
