Not convinced (yet) that LinkedIn can help you find — and get into — the college of your dreams? Think it’s just a website for established business professionals, or maybe a place you go to find a job?

Think again! Here are 5 reasons, plus one bonus tip, that explain why you should start using LinkedIn when you’re in high school.

View the SlideShare presentation, ‘5 Reasons High School Students Should Use LinkedIn,’ at the end of this post.

1. Test Your College Applications BEFORE You Apply

Think of LinkedIn as a dynamic filing cabinet where you keep all of your high school accomplishments. When you’re ready to fill out your college applications, your LinkedIn profile will be your one-stop reference guide.

The earlier you start using LinkedIn, even if it’s just to slowly piece together your profile, the easier it will be to complete your college applications.

LinkedIn’s sections are like chapters of a book — a book that’s all about you.

All of the information you’ll use on your college applications has a related section on LinkedIn. The LinkedIn Summary section is your personal statement; LinkedIn’s Volunteering & Causes is where you’ll list your community service involvement; and so on.

As an added benefit, LinkedIn gives you the tools (and the space, which is limited on your college applications) to provide a comprehensive, multimedia summary of your high school achievements and your long-term college and career goals.

2. Stand Out from Other College Applicants

Part of getting into your dream college is differentiating, or “branding,” yourself. Currently, not a lot of high school students are actively using LinkedIn — or not using it effectively — so it’s an opportunity for you to distinguish yourself in the college acceptance race.

Plus, you’ll literally stand out online: a LinkedIn profile ranks at the top of the search engine results. If a college admissions counselor does a public search of your name you’ll be able to present a professional, polished image.

3. Start Networking… and Connecting

Networking is one of the most important skills you’ll need to develop in your career; the earlier you can master this skill, the more successful you’ll be in both college and career. LinkedIn gives you access to successful peers, mentors, alumni ambassadors, and thought leaders — it’s the ultimate networking tool.

In order to network effectively, though, you need to know people — or at least know how (or where) to find people.

LinkedIn is the best way to professionally connect with fellow students, alumni at your prospective schools, mentors, and other people who can help you find and choose the best dream college. And these same people can help you jumpstart your post-college career!

4. Craft Your Professional Image & Personal Brand

Of all the social media sites, LinkedIn is the best platform to develop and promote your professional image. It allows you to highlight your creativity, your work experience, your ambitions, and your talents.

Because there are so many ways to promote your accomplishments on LinkedIn, you’ll be able to give college admissions counselors (and future employers) a comprehensive sense of who you are, both personally and professionally.

LinkedIn lets you create a professional portfolio that highlights all of your professional skills and talents. You can infuse video, presentations, images, documents, photos, and URLs into your profile. It gives your accomplishments an engaging, multimedia perspective that currently can’t be replicated with standard one-dimensional college applications.

LinkedIn also gives you a headstart on developing a strong — and recognizable — personal “brand.” Your personal brand is the image you create around your abilities and skills, and differentiates you from your peers… which is important when you apply to your dream college (see #2 above!).

5. Explore Careers and College Majors

Not quite sure yet what you want to do with the rest of your life? Maybe you have a few ideas but aren’t sure where to turn for answers?

LinkedIn helps you explore different career paths before you apply to college, and gives you insight into what people actually do in their jobs, the skills they use, where they live, and the paths they’ve taken to establish their careers.

That way, you’ll minimize any pesky career surprises once you’re at college.

Bonus Tip: Use It Now. Use It Later. But You Will Use LinkedIn.

To paraphrase the FRAM filter “Pay Me Now, or Pay Me Later” marketing campaign:

You can use LinkedIn now. You can use LinkedIn later. But you will use LinkedIn.

You’ll use it to find an internship. You’ll use it to find your dream job after college. You’ll use it throughout your career, both when you’re in a job or when you’re looking for a new job.

If you get a jumpstart on the basics of LinkedIn now, while you’re in high school, you’ll be much more successful when you use it throughout your college studies and into your career.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ij1yDpfZI8Q?t=23s&rel=0]

Slideshare Presentation

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