As a student who was introduced to LinkedIn during my junior year of high school, I never really saw much value in it. The only reason I even created a LinkedIn account was because my business teacher encouraged our class to do so. He wanted to connect with us on the app and teach us the importance of professional networking. However, since I had no real use for it back then, I created my account, filled in a few basic details, and never touched it again. It felt unnecessary at that point in my life since I had no job experience, no real professional network, and no understanding of how the platform could benefit me. 
But now that I’m in college, I have started to see the significance of LinkedIn. Unlike other social media platforms that are focused on entertainment, LinkedIn is about personal and professional growth. It is a space where people showcase their career accomplishments, share industry insights, and connect with others who have similar career interests. Since becoming more active on LinkedIn, I have realized just how powerful networking can be. Whether it is keeping up with old classmates, connecting with professors, or following professionals in my field of study, LinkedIn has provided me with a glimpse into the real-world workforce that I wouldn’t have had otherwise.
It is not about creating a perfect online presence but rather about sharing real accomplishments, discussing professional experiences, and celebrating milestones. I love opening the app to see what my peers have been up to, whether they landed an internship, started a new job, or attended a networking event. It is inspiring to see people my age making strides in their careers, and it motivates me to put more effort into building my own professional path.
Another great thing about LinkedIn is the opportunities it provides. Before college, I never realized how important it is to start networking early. I used to think that job opportunities came from simply applying through company websites or job boards, but I have learned that networking plays a huge role in landing internships and jobs. Many of the job opportunities now that I am in college have all stemmed from who I know or how people I know speak of me.
Overall, my perspective on LinkedIn has completely changed since high school. What once felt like an unnecessary platform now feels like an essential tool for my professional development. It has opened my eyes to the importance of networking, staying informed and actively engaging in my career.
As someone who has never used LinkedIn, I really haven't seen a need to use it. It honestly looked like a more complicated version of Facebook, that only businesses used to hunt for possible employees. Now, I have seen it to be more. A way for people to connect with their fellow employees, employers, and customers. I really has some use, but I highly doubt that I will touch it any time in the future. I like you take of LinkedIn and can understand where you are coming from with your experience. -VA
ReplyDeleteI agree with everything you have stated. In high school they always talked about how important LinkedIn was but I could never quite understand why. As time progresses in my college days I have truly come to realize how important one app can be. Between networking and marketing and even advertising LinkedIn plays such a major in so many aspects of life.
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