Create your profile early and start building a network. Join groups related to your interests and start participating in discussions. Learn who the leaders are in the fields you are interested in, start connecting with the companies they work for, and build a professional network for internships and job leads.
LinkedIn is one of the most respected online professional networking sites. Helpful handouts on building a LinkedIn profile and networking with professionals in your field can be downloaded from LinkedIn's Higher Ed Professionals site.
Facebook, Instagram, X, and other social media
When integrating social media into your professional life, be cautious of what you post. Review your Facebook privacy settings, and remember that potential employers can access your site through shared friends, interns, and other personal connections. Be sure that the groups you like and the photos you share reflect a professional image you want to share with a potential employer.
Social media gives you a good insight into what is happening in your daily life. If all your posts highlight your weekend activities, think again about how you use these applications. Don't post anything online that you wouldn't want to see as the headline of tomorrow's newspaper.