Building Professional Identities at the LinkedIn Workshop
Written by Hannah Fischer, Graduate Associate for the Internship Program
On February 18th, 2026 Hannah Su Hepler, Director of Career Development, and Grace Conde, Assistant Director of Experiential Learning partnered with Chatham University’s Honors Program to host a LinkedIn Workshop called Leveraging LinkedIn: Intentionally building your professional network to help students gain skills to update their profiles and build their professional identity.
From Remmy Goyette ‘27, Honors Program Student Coordinator:
What do you think was the most valuable LinkedIn skill students took away from this workshop, and why?
“I think that students were better able to understand the ways that LinkedIn can be leveraged to develop themselves professionally. Being in network with other students or professionals who may have similar backgrounds or interests is a good way to engage with the field itself, and to keep up with peers that may have graduated.”
How did the workshop help students feel more confident about using LinkedIn to showcase their professional identity?
“I think it will help students because oftentimes, they might not know what content to include on their platforms or in their posts. Knowing how to engage with LinkedIn, and knowing what kind of content to showcase will help to showcase their professional identities.”
In what ways do you think the collaboration between the Honors Program and Career Development enhanced the workshop experience?
“It was important for the Honors Program to collaborate with Career Development because it has the most resources and knowledge base pertaining to professional development and professionalization, which the Honors Program does not currently have. Connecting with a professional photographer was also a part of this collaboration, which went really well!”
How do you hope students will apply what they learned today, whether that’s building their profiles, growing their networks, or posting more intentionally?
“I hope that students will be able to expand their network with other students and be able to compile the work that they have done and intend to do within their profile.”
From Dr. Allie Reznik, Assistant Professor of English and Honors Program Director:
What do you think was the most valuable LinkedIn skill students took away from this workshop, and why?
“The most valuable skill students likely took away was learning how to craft a compelling, authentic profile that tells their professional story — particularly writing a strong headline and "About" section. Hannah and Grace’s phenomenal workshop specifically illuminated for me that unlike a resume, LinkedIn gives students a chance to show personality and voice alongside credentials. Understanding how to position themselves for their aspirations, where they're going, not just sharing what they’ve already done and where they've been, is a skill with immediate and lasting impact.”
How did the workshop help students feel more confident about using LinkedIn to showcase their professional identity?
“The workshop likely helped students realize that they don't need years of experience to have a credible, impressive LinkedIn presence. By reframing what counts as professional experience — coursework, volunteering, campus leadership, projects — students could see that they already have a story worth telling.”
In what ways do you think the collaboration between the Honors Program and Career Development enhanced the workshop experience?
“The partnership brought together two complementary strengths: Career Development's practical, industry-informed expertise on what employers look for, and the Honors Program's understanding of the students themselves — their academic depth, curiosity, and ambitions. This meant the guidance was both strategically sound and personally relevant, making it more likely students would apply what they learned.”
How do you hope students will apply what they learned today, whether that’s building their profiles, growing their networks, or posting more intentionally?
“The hope would be that students leave with a sense of LinkedIn as a living, ongoing tool — not a one-time task to check off. Whether that means finishing their profile this week, reaching out to one alum for an informational interview, or posting a reflection on a class project, the goal is momentum. Small, intentional actions compound over time, and the students who treat LinkedIn as a genuine professional habit now will be significantly ahead when it matters most — job searches, internships, and building a career community post-graduation.”
“That mindset shift from “I don’t have enough yet” to “here’s what I bring” is transformative for confidence.”