The Ultimate Guide to Building Your First LinkedIn Profile: Best Practices for College Students

I just got back from volunteering in the Florida Institute of Technology Career Services center doing resume reviews and giving advice to college students who've never had a LinkedIn profile before. I decided to take my knowledge and share it with the rest of the college students in the United States by writing this article.

Creating a LinkedIn profile as a college student is one of the smartest moves you can make for your future career. Whether you’re a freshman just starting out or a senior preparing to graduate, a strong LinkedIn presence helps you connect with professionals, potential employers, and opportunities in your field. Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating your first LinkedIn profile, complete with tips and best practices.

1. Choose a Professional Photo

Your profile photo is the first thing people will see, so make sure it’s professional but approachable. Here’s how to pick the perfect photo:

• Dress appropriately: Choose an outfit that you would wear to a job interview.
• Good lighting is key: A well-lit photo with a neutral background makes you look polished and professional.
• Avoid distractions: No group photos, filters, or distracting backgrounds. Keep the focus on you.

A professional photo instantly makes your profile 14 times more likely to be viewed, so this is a crucial step.

2. Craft a Compelling Headline

Your LinkedIn headline appears right under your name and should summarize who you are or what you're aiming for in a few words. If you don’t have a current job or internship yet, you can focus on your studies or career aspirations. For example:

• "Aspiring Marketing Professional | Business Student at [Your University]"
• "Computer Science Student with a Passion for AI and Data Science"

Keep it clear and concise—think of it as your personal elevator pitch.

3. Write a Strong Summary (About Section)

Your "About" section is your chance to tell your story. Highlight your strengths, interests, and what makes you unique. It’s also an opportunity to include keywords relevant to your industry, which can help recruiters find you. Here’s a structure to follow:

• Who you are: "I’m currently a [your major] student at [your university] with a passion for [specific field or interest]."
• What you’re looking for: "I’m actively seeking internship opportunities in [specific industry]."
• Your skills and interests: "My coursework has helped me develop skills in [list key skills], and I’m particularly interested in [field/area]."

Keep it professional but let your personality shine through.

4. Highlight Your Education

As a college student, your education is one of your strongest assets. Make sure to include:

• University name and your degree: Be specific (e.g., Bachelor of Science in Computer Science).
• Dates of attendance: Include your expected graduation date.
• Relevant courses, projects, or academic achievements: Showcase any coursework or projects that relate to the field you want to enter.

If you have a strong GPA or relevant honors (like Dean’s List), include them here to highlight your academic success.

5. Add Experience (Even If It’s Non-Professional)

If you don’t have much work experience, that’s okay! Use this section to highlight internships, part-time jobs, volunteer work, or leadership positions in clubs. Anything that demonstrates responsibility, teamwork, and transferable skills is valuable.

• Use action words: "Led," "organized," "managed," "developed"—these words demonstrate that you’re proactive.
• Highlight your impact: Include specifics, such as "Increased social media engagement by 20%" or "Organized events for 50+ students."

Even if it’s a campus job or a side project, it all helps paint a picture of your capabilities.

6. Skills & Endorsements

The "Skills" section is crucial for letting potential employers know what you’re good at. Start by listing at least 5-10 skills that are relevant to your field. If you’re not sure which skills to include, look at LinkedIn profiles of professionals in your target industry and note the common skills they list.

Some skills you might include are:

• Microsoft Office
• Public Speaking
• Data Analysis
• Project Management
• Research

Once you’ve added your skills, ask classmates, professors, or colleagues to endorse them. This social proof helps validate your expertise.

7. Get Recommendations

Recommendations add credibility to your profile. While it may feel intimidating to ask, most people will be happy to help. Consider asking:

• Professors who know your work ethic.
• Supervisors from internships or part-time jobs.
• Peers you’ve worked closely with on group projects.

A personalized recommendation can go a long way in setting you apart from other candidates.

8. Showcase Certifications, Volunteer Work, and Extracurriculars

If you’ve completed any online courses, certifications (like Google Analytics or coding boot camps), or have volunteer experience, be sure to add them to your profile. These demonstrate a commitment to learning and growth beyond the classroom.

Don’t forget to include your involvement in campus organizations. Whether you’ve been a part of a student government or the university’s coding club, these experiences reflect leadership, teamwork, and initiative.

9. Connect with Purpose

Now that your profile is complete, it’s time to start building your network. Start by connecting with:

• Classmates and professors.
• Alumni from your university.
• Professionals in your field of interest.
• Recruiters or employees at companies where you want to work.

When sending connection requests, always include a personalized message explaining why you want to connect. This shows you’re genuinely interested in building relationships.

10. Engage and Stay Active

Having a LinkedIn profile is just the first step. You should also be active on the platform by:

• Sharing articles or commenting on industry news.
• Engaging with posts from your connections.
• Posting updates on projects you’re working on or events you’ve attended.

This helps keep you on the radar of your network and shows you’re engaged with your field.

Final Thoughts

Building your first LinkedIn profile can seem overwhelming, but it’s a crucial step in shaping your career path. By following these best practices, you’ll create a professional online presence that helps you stand out to potential employers and network with industry leaders. Remember, your LinkedIn profile is a living document, so update it regularly as you gain more experience and skills. Start now, and you’ll be ahead of the game when it’s time to start applying for internships or full-time roles!

Good luck! You’ve got this.