Resources
I participate in mentorship programs as both a protégé and mentor depending on the opportunities available to me. This page serves as a "savings account" where I can save helpful resources for any future protégé I may take on. I will be adding to it over time. It feels nicer to say "Watch the video on my website" than "Oh I saw a good video but I can't remember what it was called, I'll text/email it to you later." It's also less wordy :)
My goal in teaching and mentoring is to make individuals more skilled and accomplished than I am. Seeing my protégés do well reaffirms how well I am doing and creates role models I can look to in the future.
Content appears on this page based on the usefulness of information. Please note that featuring a video/article/author/content creator does not mean I endorse them or any views/relationships they may hold. I am not paid or sponsored by anyone featured on this website and, unless specifically stated, do not own any media or content listed below.
LinkedIn Resources
I made my LinkedIn after I needed it. Don't be like me. Start early!
As a student, my own two-sense is doing the most "bang for your buck" steps first. Some will disagree with the order. Once it's finished, nobody cares what you added first. I made some of my most influential connections with no profile picture and no summary (I didn't have the advice down below until it was made).
Don't sweat it.
Below is the skeleton of what I would do. Research more advice as needed:
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Actually go through the sign up process. Right now. Like 5 minutes ago right now. Procrastination is the biggest obstacle.
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Add the bare minimum info (Name, Headline , Location) "Student at X School" is fine for a headline, otherwise use your job title. For location I just use the County I live in. Why the bare minimum? Now you can add connections and message people, which were the most beneficial for me career wise.
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Add a profile picture. Make it as professional as is available. Make sure your shirt has a collar. Pictures at 10am in front of a white garage door are good enough to start. We're Engineers not fashion models (unless you are, which is pretty cool).
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Add your Education. High School Diploma isn't a big deal to include, it's already assumed unless your career choice has specific requirements. Add your expected graduation year if still in college.
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Add your Skills and Endorsements. Skills pay the bills. Don't add anything you can't give a concrete example of using. They may not come up in conversation, but it's best to be safe.
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Add your Experience. This is one of the more time consuming parts. Start at the present and work backwards. Prioritize relevance as you go backward. Add some bullet points of tasks you performed similar to a resume. Add what you can now then add on to it later. This section will change over time.
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Make your summary, for me the hardest part. DO NOT COPY AND PASTE YOUR EXPERIENCE SECTION HERE. This is a personal process. See videos and article for better advice than I can give.
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Anything else you wanted to add, add it now.
Congrats on your new LinkedIn! If even one bullet point helped you, my job is done. If you chose to do something completely different, make sure to add original thinker to your elevator pitch. Thank you for your time my friend.