Why Learners Need a LinkedIn Presence to Stand Out: Career Webinar Insights

Having a professional online presence is beneficial and essential for learners entering the workforce. A well-crafted LinkedIn profile, for instance, can serve as a platform for learners to network, stay updated with industry trends, and highlight their unique strengths.

In one of our recent career webinars, Boost Your LinkedIn Presence: Strategies to Stand Out and Share Impactful Content, our Head of Employability, Mirta, and career expert Laura Bidegain discussed how learners can present themselves online, share the right content, and stand out to future employers.

The LinkedIn Success Formula

Laura Bidegain, with over 20 years of experience in career development and coaching, highlighted a key formula for LinkedIn's success:

Optimized Profile

• The foundation of a successful LinkedIn presence is a well-crafted profile that effectively showcases skills, experiences, and accomplishments. This is the starting point for learners to present their professional identity to the world.
• Educators can emphasize the importance of profile optimization and encourage learners to refine their profiles as part of their career readiness initiatives.

1. Meaningful Connections:
   • Building and nurturing relationships on LinkedIn is crucial. It’s not just about the number of connections, but the quality of interactions that matters.
   • Academic institutions can guide learners on how to approach networking thoughtfully, fostering connections that can lead to mentorship, collaboration, and job opportunities.
2. Sharing Valuable Content:
   • Sharing content on LinkedIn is a powerful way to enhance one’s professional brand. By posting articles, updates, and comments, learners can demonstrate their career interests, motivations, and expertise.
   • Educators can incorporate LinkedIn content creation into their teaching, helping learners understand the value of contributing to their professional community and staying relevant in their fields.

The Power of Content Sharing

One of the standout messages from the webinar was the importance of sharing content on LinkedIn. According to Laura, content sharing is not just about visibility; it’s about becoming memorable and positioning oneself as a thought leader. This practice opens doors to new opportunities, collaborations, and career advancement.

For educators, this is a critical takeaway. Encouraging learners to actively share content related to their studies, internships, and career interests can significantly boost their professional growth. By posting thoughtful content, learners not only expand their network but also inspire, educate, and influence others in their field.

What’s In It for Your Learners?

The benefits of sharing content on LinkedIn are multifaceted:

• Networking: Build connections with diverse perspectives and affinities.
• Job Opportunities: Increase visibility among recruiters and hiring managers.
• Professional Development: Stay updated and relevant in their field.
• Professional Reputation: Establish themselves as a leading voice in their industry.
• Global Reach: Expand their influence beyond geographical boundaries.

Empowering Your Learners Through Holistic Professional Development

At Virtual Internships, we are committed to providing learners with more than just internship experiences. One key element of this is our fortnightly career webinars, where interns have the opportunity to enhance their skills and learn directly from industry experts.

These sessions ensure that interns gain not only practical, real-world experience but also valuable advice and insights that support their long-term career goals. By integrating these webinars into the internship journey, we help learners build the skills and confidence they need to make informed career decisions.

Interested in bringing guaranteed internships with holistic professional growth to your academic programs? Book a call with our team to learn more.