As part of their fall kickoff, University Career Services will be hosting The LinkedIn Experience. For students hoping to improve their self-branding, the event is a much-appreciated opportunity.
Rob Humphrey, a senior account executive at LinkedIn, will give a speech on Thursday at noon in the Great Hall at Carolina Union. The first 100 students who attend the lecture will receive a free LinkedIn Premium subscription, a $300 value.
Humphrey said he hopes to help students improve their LinkedIn profiles so they can have a better opportunity of attaining employment, as over one million LinkedIn users got jobs this past year.
“At the end of the day, it’s all about helping students ensure that they’re getting job offers, internship opportunities and making sure they know how to do that in a unique way,” Humphrey said.
LinkedIn representatives will offer free headshots for students at the Old Well from 9 to 11:30 in the morning and in the Great Hall in the Carolina Union from 1 to 2:15 in the afternoon. They will provide students with advice on building their profile and hand out free LinkedIn merchandise.
Humphrey has been working at LinkedIn for eight years in Apex, North Carolina. He said he got the idea to put on the event from an article in The Daily Tar Heel suggesting that LinkedIn offer more services to students.
“There’s so many things LinkedIn can do for students beyond just giving them the platform to market themselves,” Humphrey said. “We’ve been working with the University for a while now trying to get this event together, and so we’re really excited about it. I’m really glad to be able to help out students because I know they’re brilliant, and we just want to help employers find them.”
Sue Harbour, associate director of Career Services, said she encourages all students to come out to the event.
“Students shouldn’t feel intimidated by the fact that it’s called 'The LinkedIn Experience,'" Harbour said. “You don’t have to be a LinkedIn pro. It’s really just for them to come and learn more about LinkedIn. I think it’s a great way for students to interact with professionals in a very casual setting without that pressure that this is some huge networking opportunity where it’s going to make or break their career.”
