Many phrases can strike fear in a university student’s heart.
Exam season, internship application, student fees- the list goes on.
But there is one thing that often tops the list: creating a LinkedIn profile.
Since starting at Western Sydney University in 2023, I kept hearing tutors and students mention LinkedIn was important. I was told to make an account, post, and get involved. Like many others, I couldn’t understand why.
What was the benefit? I was a fresh first-year university student – no personal projects, internships, or work experience to my name. What would I say or show that would be “worthwhile”?
As I got more involved in my studies, joined passion projects, and volunteered, I reconsidered and eventually, I logged on.
Now that I have been on LinkedIn for a while, I could say this: the platform can be intimidating at first – it’s like learning a new social media platform.
So, if you are unsure of how to get started or what to say, here’s some tips.
Start Small: You Don’t Have to be Career-ready yet!
One of the reasons why students hesitate is because they believe you must be ‘career ready’ with a list of experiences and professional pieces to show off. But that’s not true!
LinkedIn is where you can grow into yourself, your career, and your industry.
The key to beginning? Start small, start early!
Once you do, you’ll find LinkedIn is easy to navigate.
Your feed will show you similar content to what you engage with – just like most social media platforms – as well as posts from people you follow or connect with. Your network and messaging tabs show the people you have connected with, and the jobs tab shows internship and work opportunities in your field.
But the real fun starts with your profile.
What to Post? How Do I Format?
Assignments, events, and personal projects are all great content for your LinkedIn profile.
Make sure you’re posting the best version of your work, as well as including the project rubric or tutor feedback, which contributes to showcasing your skill set.
I’m a Bachelor of Communication student majoring in Advertising and minoring in Screen Media, so I post about projects, events and certifications.
When formatting a post, it is crucial to start with a strong opening sentence. Keep it concise, easy to read, but rich with your personality and your knowledge.
Images and videos are a great addition, as visuals and hashtags are a game-changer for reaching a wider audience. You don’t need to be an expert when crafting posts; sooner or later, you’ll find a community of like-minded people who want to see your work and want you to see theirs.
(An example of a recent LinkedIn post of mine. Photo by Paige Saunders, 2025)
Creating Connections
I hear you yelling at me behind the screen.
“Paige, creating posts is one thing, but who’s going to see them? Who should I connect with?”
The answer? Anyone!
There are no rules about who you should connect with; however, I recommend keeping your connections primarily to people in your industry.
Start with peers or tutors. They already know you and share similar interests. Then branch out – connect with people at events you attend, like panels or hands-on opportunities. Asking an industry expert if they’re on LinkedIn can be a great icebreaker.
Putting yourself out there can feel awkward or intimidating. But positioning yourself eager, ready to learn, and having genuine curiosity will help you present yourself to new people.
If in-person conversations with new people isn’t your thing, there are always plenty of Western Sydney University groups and communities you can check out and get chatting with digitally!
Learning with LinkedIn
Western Sydney University has made LinkedIn an accessible resource for its students. Besides networking, you can also access LinkedIn Learning packed with free courses to deepen your knowledge. I’ve completed many LinkedIn Learning courses throughout my university journey. Any Western student can access courses for free using their student login and password.
As you continue studying, let LinkedIn be a tool to guide you. Use it to maximise your growth, experience, and networking. You’ll be amazed how much you learn – and who you meet – along the way.
Start small. Post that project. Reach out. You have more to offer than you think!
