Every year, The Brunel Writer Prize is awarded to the student with the highest graded article submission for the Creative Industries module on Brunel University’s Creative Writing Programme. Grace Amui was a runner-up for The Brunel Writer Prize 2024 with her journey and tips to “Joining the LinkedIn Sea.”
You see it, the end on the horizon. The finish line with a gown, certificate and Professor Andrew Jones calling your name – hopefully pronouncing it correctly.
Graduation.
It’s exciting. As High School Musical demonstrates, expect singing, or screeching depending on your vocal ability. No judgment though.
If you’re anything like me, you realise there’s a world beyond our Uxbridge campus. A sea of people who seem to know each other and know what they’re doing with these very people who know each other.
But how can we, the new fish, submerge into this creative community?
I’ll give you a hint. It’s used for entertainment, procrastination and most importantly connection.
Yep. Social Media or… social networking.
Which one?
For creatives, there’s a sea of choice between TikTok’s #Booktok, Twitter – now X, the rarest letter of the alphabet – and Instagram, taking Reels and Threads from them both. However, here’s your invitation to explore a special ocean space I admittedly used to think was solely for Baby Boomers.
That’s right: LinkedIn.
It’s not only for swimming accountants with decades of experience. Nor salmon with unusual Elon Musk-level knowledge of Artificial Intelligence. LinkedIn is simply another tool for building connections.
If leaving university sounds daunting, here’s how you can join this professional wave of “grown-ups.”
- The Profile Photo: Unlike Instagram, where a cat driving a Ferrari proves a priceless photo for your meme account, LinkedIn profiles are about you. Yes, the profile photo should be your lovely face.
Keep it simple, head and shoulders – not the shampoo, although, again, I ain’t judging. Smile with a plain white background or industry logo where you’ve worked as a subtle self-promotion.
- The Big CV: Upload a CV that gives information about roles you’ve had in the field you’ll apply for. No CV? Check out Brunel Careers and ASK for examples or use Chat GPT to start. Just remember Simona Janssen’s words: “Artificial Intelligence always needs a little HI“: Human Intelligence.
- Avoid the silent treatment: Now that your profile shines, post. Not about the holiday in Spain… what happens in Madrid stays there. Still, share relevant work in your sphere. New blog? Share it on your LinkedIn page. Attended a leaders’ talk? That too. Share, share, share when these happen with – you guessed it – more photos. These posts show that you’re even more than your CV. Why?
It tells the big fish you mean business!
- Followers or… friends: On this social network, think of followers less as strangers and more like potential friends you’ve met at a Christmas party – minus the drinks. LinkedIn’s head of marketing, Tobi Demuren, said more online friends cause LinkedIn’s algorithms to suggest your profile to others! Like networking, the more individuals you know, the better. So, get adding!
- Smaller communities: In any sea, there are smaller fish-communities. Join places like #Brunelalumni. That’s automatically 8000+ possible LinkedIn connections, including me! You’re basically famous now.
- LinkedIn Learning: These diverse courses enhance both you and your CV. From navigating “Artificial Intelligence” to “Overcoming Overthinking.” This may seem irrelevant, but the big-shark professionals produce these for those with LinkedIn premium…
Or Brunel students! Yay, FREE LinkedIn courses.
Fish in a Pond
As with anything, joining the ‘grown-ups’ table may feel daunting, but don’t let that predator, Imposter Syndrome stop you from taking that empty chair: which was really set for you in the first place.
Remember, you have something to give this world.
Then, Creative, just keep swimming.
Grace Amui presents her poetry internationally and at age 22, her first musical, “This Is Me,” was performed in several shows at SEK International School in Barcelona, Spain. As a freelance editor and editor for Brunel Writer, who knew her childhood library visits would lead to a Theatre and Creative Writing BA?
Brunel Writer 