After spring break, the Inspiring Natural Science Pre-Professional Association (INSPA) announced a highly anticipated event for the student community who are interested in higher education after DePauw.
Responding to students’ needs, on April 10, INSPA curated a LinkedIn workshop featuring Professor Colleen Doçi from the Biology Department as a guest speaker. This was their third workshop of Spring semester, following their previously successful Medical School Application Workshop and Graduate School Application Workshop. The event aims to provide students with valuable insights into leveraging their LinkedIn profiles for career development and networking opportunities.
Hosted in a classroom in Julian, the workshop became a comfortable space where participants filled up the room enjoying sandwiches served by INSPA while engaging in discussion with Professor Doçi. During the workshop, Professor Doçi emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong public image in career development while also reminding students to start building a LinkedIn profile only when they feel ready, rather than feeling pressured to do so by external factors. To initiate the discussion, attendees were given the opportunity to reflect on their short-term and long-term career goals, identifying the resources necessary to achieve them. Professor Doçi, then, highlighted the significance of taking the time to figure out each individual’s unique attributes and skills, underscoring its significance over merely listing activities and experiences on professional profiles.
Professor Doçi addressed various aspects of LinkedIn profile creation, including the importance of professional headshots and strategic use of keywords and descriptions. She advised against including generic information such as school and class, emphasizing the need for uniqueness and individuality in self-presentation. Participants also received guidance on representing their experiences selectively to optimize visibility on the platform. The workshop also provided attendees with practical tips on networking, CV and resume reviews, as well as job-seeking strategies on LinkedIn. As a keynote of her speech, Professor Doçi told students to memorize the principle of "show, don't tell," encouraging them to include compelling and specific achievements in their experiences instead of simply listing them.
Overall, INSPA’s workshops have been an immensely helpful resource for students to reflect and develop their progress in building a career image. The LinkedIn workshop was useful not only for students pursuing STEM majors and graduate school but also for any students who are interested in advancing their professional profiles for career development. The success of this event would not have been possible without the enthusiastic participation of everyone who attended. The dedicated preparations made by members of INSPA also played a crucial role in facilitating a thoughtful space for sharing. A special note of appreciation goes to Professor Doçi for her invaluable insights. If you missed this event, be sure to look out for more upcoming workshops from INSPA that could help you get ahead professionally.