Emerging Professionals

Jireh, this is such a great question! I can definitely attest that my LinkedIn page has changed drastically over time. Early on, it was essentially an online resume and a way to stay connected with classmates, coworkers, and potential mentors. In many ways, it still serves that purpose, but over time it has become much more personal and reflective of who I am beyond my job title.

Now, I tend to share more based on what I'm genuinely experiencing or learning in the moment. I've stepped outside the box of what's traditionally considered "appropriate" for LinkedIn and started talking more about my family, lived experiences outside of work, experiments with AI, entrepreneurial goals, and projects I'm working on. That said, there's always a professional lens behind it. For example, if I share something about my family, it's often through the perspective of being a working mom and how that shapes the way I lead and work.

What I've learned over time is that LinkedIn is not just about showcasing your resume. Your resume already does that. LinkedIn is also about showing your personality, your perspective, and how you engage with others professionally. How would you show up as a coworker? How do you communicate ideas, support others, or contribute to conversations? I think those things become even more important as your career grows.

@Jireh Min - you're on a roll with great questions and insights today!    I think this question could help so many students.  Tagging in a few of my personal LinkedIn heroes to see if they can provide any advice or insights.  @Tom Hood @Anoop Mehta and @Leena Dattani have all been incredibly gracious in sharing advice with students in the past - tagging if any of you have ideas for Jireh!

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Reon Sines-Sheaff
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Jireh, this is a fantastic question and one every student should think about it early. Unfortunately, social media wasn't present in my early career, but I offer this advice to students.

When I look back at my own journey, relationship‑building was the key to my career trajectory, and it happened mostly through personal connections. Today, platforms like LinkedIn help support that growth.

Early in your career, your profile is about you and who you are becoming. It should reflect your curiosity, your willingness to learn, your early leadership, and your ability to communicate your emerging professional identity.

Recruiters and leaders aren't expecting a long resume, frankly, there isn't enough time to read one. They're looking for indicators of potential, character, and initiative. In those early years, LinkedIn helps open doors.

As you grow, the purpose shifts. Your digital presence becomes less about your career move and more about how you show up for the profession. It becomes a place to share what you're learning, contribute to conversations that matter, reflect your values, and in my case and my career phase, elevate others around you. I truly believe that when you lift the people around you, you are lifted as well.

At senior levels, people aren't looking at your profile to evaluate your qualifications. They're looking to understand your impact, your voice, and your commitment to the community. In fact, I was sharing this same thought to students about two weeks ago and sharing with them that is where legacy begins.

What I appreciate about your question is that you're already thinking beyond the transactional. That mindset will serve you well. Build your profile the same way you build your career, with intention, authenticity, and a focus on lifting others as you grow. As much as I love LinkedIn, please keep in mind that there is nothing like building your relationships with people in PERSON! I hope this helps.

Thanks, Reon, for the tag. Always glad to support the next generation of leaders.

@Jireh Min - you're on a roll with great questions and insights today!    I think this question could help so many students.  Tagging in a few of my personal LinkedIn heroes to see if they can provide any advice or insights.  @Tom Hood @Anoop Mehta and @Leena Dattani have all been incredibly gracious in sharing advice with students in the past - tagging if any of you have ideas for Jireh!

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Reon Sines-Sheaff

@Jireh Min - you're on a roll with great questions and insights today!    I think this question could help so many students.  Tagging in a few of my personal LinkedIn heroes to see if they can provide any advice or insights.  @Tom Hood @Anoop Mehta and @Leena Dattani have all been incredibly gracious in sharing advice with students in the past - tagging if any of you have ideas for Jireh!

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Reon Sines-Sheaff
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Thank you@Reon Sines-Sheaff for tagging me as this is a post I definitely didn't want to miss@Jireh Min great question and so glad that you're already considering it.  

When I was earlier in my career, I honestly didn't think much about personal branding. I was raised to believe that if you worked hard, delivered results and stayed humble, people would notice.

I also avoided posting online for a long time because I genuinely thought what I did wasn't that interesting. I think a lot of people feel that way, especially when your work becomes normal to you.

Over time I realised visibility matters too.

Not in a fake or overly polished way, but in helping people understand what you stand for, what your strengths are and the impact you have.

LinkedIn has played a different role at each stage of my career. Early on it was more about learning, networking and finding opportunities. Now it's more about credibility, relationships and staying connected to people and sharing knowledge and learnings  

Interestingly, my most recent role came through someone I had previously worked with and stayed connected to on LinkedIn. Years later, that connection mattered.

I also never expected sharing my experiences more openly online to lead to speaking opportunities, advisory work and conversations I would never have had access to otherwise.

So for me, it's evolved from 'finding the next step' into building trust, relationships and a reputation over time

please reach out if I can help you in anyway .

Love this Leena!

Thank you@Reon Sines-Sheaff for tagging me as this is a post I definitely didn't want to miss@Jireh Min great question and so glad that you're already considering it.  

When I was earlier in my career, I honestly didn't think much about personal branding. I was raised to believe that if you worked hard, delivered results and stayed humble, people would notice.

I also avoided posting online for a long time because I genuinely thought what I did wasn't that interesting. I think a lot of people feel that way, especially when your work becomes normal to you.

Over time I realised visibility matters too.

Not in a fake or overly polished way, but in helping people understand what you stand for, what your strengths are and the impact you have.

LinkedIn has played a different role at each stage of my career. Early on it was more about learning, networking and finding opportunities. Now it's more about credibility, relationships and staying connected to people and sharing knowledge and learnings  

Interestingly, my most recent role came through someone I had previously worked with and stayed connected to on LinkedIn. Years later, that connection mattered.

I also never expected sharing my experiences more openly online to lead to speaking opportunities, advisory work and conversations I would never have had access to otherwise.

So for me, it's evolved from 'finding the next step' into building trust, relationships and a reputation over time

please reach out if I can help you in anyway .

Thank you@Reon Sines-Sheaff for tagging me as this is a post I definitely didn't want to miss@Jireh Min great question and so glad that you're already considering it.  

When I was earlier in my career, I honestly didn't think much about personal branding. I was raised to believe that if you worked hard, delivered results and stayed humble, people would notice.

I also avoided posting online for a long time because I genuinely thought what I did wasn't that interesting. I think a lot of people feel that way, especially when your work becomes normal to you.

Over time I realised visibility matters too.

Not in a fake or overly polished way, but in helping people understand what you stand for, what your strengths are and the impact you have.

LinkedIn has played a different role at each stage of my career. Early on it was more about learning, networking and finding opportunities. Now it's more about credibility, relationships and staying connected to people and sharing knowledge and learnings  

Interestingly, my most recent role came through someone I had previously worked with and stayed connected to on LinkedIn. Years later, that connection mattered.

I also never expected sharing my experiences more openly online to lead to speaking opportunities, advisory work and conversations I would never have had access to otherwise.

So for me, it's evolved from 'finding the next step' into building trust, relationships and a reputation over time

please reach out if I can help you in anyway .