LinkedIn is no more toxic than other social media platforms. The expectations we bring to it are. Like Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) and Facebook, users share the highlights and most impressive moments from their lives.
College students spend significant time curating the perfect online persona. We log on to LinkedIn and see our peers achieving prestigious awards, internships and post-graduation job offers. Even top students can feel like they are falling behind.
When LinkedIn is used as a performance rather than an extension of character, sure, it can be toxic. However, I would argue that genuine, original content stands out even more in an environment flooded with exaggerated and AI-generated content.
This requires students to use LinkedIn intentionally. Many courses at FGCU require students to create accounts, but very few teach us how to use them. The most effective way to use LinkedIn is to engage with content that actually aligns with your goals. When you find leaders and organizations that are actively teaching, rather than self-promoting, you may be surprised by what you find. Many users openly share personal failures and invaluable advice.
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Good leaders share more than just career highlights. They teach others how to adapt when unexpected obstacles arise. LinkedIn also gives you the opportunity to have conversations with individuals who typically may be inaccessible.
Personally, I have been able to converse with executives and writers who would normally have many gatekeepers or large followings on other platforms. They take great joy in giving advice to young aspiring professionals. People are much more willing to give help than we assume. You just need the courage to ask.
Intentional use of LinkedIn comes down to three things: curation, learning and value.
First, curate your profile and feed authentically. If your profile does not feel like you or align with your career goals, comparison becomes inevitable. Your feed is your feed. If you don’t like what you’re seeing, you have the ability to change it.
Next, establish LinkedIn as a place of learning rather than competition. If someone in your network accepts an internship at an organization you may be interested in working with, use their profile and connections to see what kind of applicants they are looking for. Or, ask them about the experience!
Focus on adding value. Your experiences create an irreplicable perspective that can help someone.
LinkedIn is not inherently toxic. Its impact depends on intention and use. Unlike other social media platforms, LinkedIn is not driven primarily by aesthetics but by original content and authenticity. When used intentionally, LinkedIn can be one of the most transformational platforms for college students.