We live in a world where technology dominates every aspect of our lives, including education and career development. For high school students, especially those close to graduation and in the university application process, it's important to start preparing for the professional world, and one of the key tools in this process is LinkedIn, the nearly ubiquitous networking platform used by more than 750 million people worldwide.

BUT WHY SHOULD A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT USE LINKEDIN?

Early Exposure to the Professional World: LinkedIn provides a window into the world of work and industry, allowing you to understand different roles, companies, and sectors. You can observe how professionals present themselves and communicate, which can provide valuable insights for your future career.
Opportunity Discovery: LinkedIn is a treasure trove of opportunities, from internships and volunteer roles to part-time jobs and scholarship announcements. By establishing a presence on LinkedIn, you are opening a door to these opportunities that you may not find elsewhere.
Network Building: Establishing a robust professional network is vital for your career development. On LinkedIn, you can connect with professionals, educators, fellow students, and industry groups. This not only helps you gain exposure but also provides a platform for engaging in intellectual discussions and learning from experts.

CREATING A LINKEDIN ACCOUNT: A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

Step 1 - Sign Up: Creating a LinkedIn account is the first step towards unlocking the vast world of professional networking. This step helps in establishing your online professional identity.

Visit the LinkedIn homepage at www.linkedin.com.
Click on "Join now."
You will need to provide your email address and create a password. Remember, always create a strong, unique password for online accounts to maintain security.
Do use a professional email address. This could be your school email or a personal email that includes your full name.
Don't use an email address that you rarely check; important updates and notifications will be sent there.
Do create a strong, unique password to ensure the security of your account.
Don't share your password with anyone.

Step 2 - Add Personal Information: Providing accurate personal information enhances the credibility of your profile. It also helps LinkedIn suggest appropriate connections and opportunities.

After signing up, LinkedIn will ask for your name, location, and most recent job title. As a student, you can use 'Student' as your job title and add your school name for the company.
Do use your real name to enhance the credibility of your profile.
Don't use nicknames or aliases.
Do be honest about your location and job title.
Don't exaggerate or misrepresent your current status.

Step 3 - Add a Professional Photo: A professional photo makes your profile more personal and relatable. It's an important part of making a positive first impression.

Upload a clear, professional-looking headshot for your profile picture.
Do use a clear, recent, and professional-looking headshot.
Don't use casual or inappropriate photos.
Do ensure your face takes up around 60% of the frame.
Don't use heavily filtered or edited photos.

Step 4 - Create a Compelling Headline and Summary: The headline and summary are the first things people see on your profile. They are opportunities to showcase your individuality, ambitions, and passion.

The headline defaults to your job title, but you can customize it to highlight your career interests or aspirations.
Write a brief summary describing who you are, your achievements, skills, and career goals.
Do make your headline specific and engaging. Highlight your career interests or aspirations.
Don't use generic or vague headlines.
Do use the summary section to provide a snapshot of who you are and what you aim to achieve.
Don't make your summary too long or complex; keep it concise and easy to read.

Step 5 - Add Your Experience: This section provides a snapshot of your experience and achievements. It helps viewers understand your skills, responsibilities, and the type of work you've done.

Include any part-time jobs, internships, volunteer roles, or leadership positions you've held.
Do include all relevant experience, including part-time jobs, internships, or volunteer roles.
Don't exaggerate or lie about your experience or job duties.
Do use bullet points to describe what you did and what you accomplished.
Don't forget to mention any significant achievements or responsibilities in each role.

Step 6 - Add Your Education: This section signals your academic standing and potential future path to viewers. It may also help connect you with fellow students, alumni, or faculty from the same institutions. Additionally, it could make you visible to recruiters specifically interested in students from your school or program. Lastly, by including your future educational plans, you demonstrate foresight and ambition, qualities that can set you apart in the professional world.

Include your high school information and any post-secondary institutions you plan to attend.
Do add your current high school and expected graduation date.
Don't forget to update this section if you change schools or when you graduate.
Do include any post-secondary schools you plan to attend or are attending.
Don't add elementary or middle schools; start with high school.

Step 7 - Add Skills and Endorsements: This section highlights your capabilities outside of formal education or work experience. Skills can catch the eye of potential employers or recruiters and demonstrate your aptitude in various areas.

List any skills you have developed, such as public speaking, teamwork, digital literacy, and more.
Over time, people who've worked with you can endorse these skills, boosting your profile's credibility.
Do include a broad range of skills that accurately reflect your abilities.
Don't add skills that you can't effectively demonstrate or discuss.
Do ask for endorsements from those who have seen you demonstrate these skills.
Don't trade endorsements ("I'll endorse you if you endorse me") unless the endorsement is genuine.

Step 8 - Request Recommendations: Recommendations provide social proof of your skills and character. They can give viewers valuable insight into your work ethic, personality, and potential.

Ask teachers, coaches, or supervisors who know you well to write a recommendation.
Do ask for recommendations from teachers, coaches, or supervisors who know your work well.
Don't be afraid to politely follow up if someone hasn't responded to your request.
Do provide some guidance on what you'd like the recommendation to focus on.
Don't take it personally if someone declines to provide a recommendation.

Step 9 - Join Groups and Follow Companies: Joining groups and following organizations helps you stay up-to-date with industry trends, company news, and opportunities. It also allows you to engage in discussions, learn from others, and make new connections.

You can join groups relevant to your career interests, and follow companies or universities you're interested in.
Do join groups relevant to your career interests.
Don't spam group discussions with irrelevant content or self-promotion.
Do follow companies or universities you're interested in to stay updated.
Don't follow so many pages that your feed becomes unmanageable.

Step 10 - Network: Networking is a key element of LinkedIn. Building your professional network can lead to opportunities and connections that could be invaluable for your future career.

Start by connecting with people you know, like classmates, teachers, and family friends.
Write personalized connection requests when reaching out to people you don’t know personally.
Do connect with people you know, like classmates, teachers, and family friends.
Don't send connection requests to complete strangers without a personalized note explaining why you'd like to connect.
Do maintain professional decorum in all your communications.
Don't post or share inappropriate content.

Step 11 - Share and Engage with Content: Engaging with content on LinkedIn keeps your profile active, increases your visibility, and can position you as a proactive and engaged member of the community.

Post updates, share interesting articles, or engage with posts from your connections.
Do share relevant articles, news, or updates.
Don't share content without understanding it or verifying its authenticity.
Do comment thoughtfully on others' posts.
Don't engage in negative or disrespectful discussions.
Do write your own posts or articles to share your thoughts and ideas.

LinkedIn is more than just a social networking site: it is a valuable tool for personal and professional growth. Starting early as a high school student provides a strong foundation for understanding the professional world, networking, and identifying opportunities. With this step-by-step guide, you're well on your way to establishing a strong LinkedIn profile and harnessing the platform's potential. Happy networking!