An academic client recently caught up with me, and said, “A year ago, you suggested Twitter would be a good place to network for my subject. Would you say the same thing now?”
Probably not, I replied ruefully. Things have moved on since then in ways unpredictable. When Linkedin first emerged on the social media scene, and for years after, it was not the go-to networking site for those keen on pursuing an academic career.
What a difference a year can make.
As Linkedin grew in size and maturity as a platform, adding content areas for publications and projects, for examples, academics could increasingly be found there, networking with industry and (perhaps to a lesser extent) each other. The transformation of Twitter into X has accelerated the move to Linkedin for academic networking. Researchers cite the ability to share engaging visual material related to their research, write posts, as well as longer articles, use hashtags, have conversations – the typical interactions-at-a-distance which have always made social media appealing and useful.
And of course, Linkedin remains a powerful tool for exploring the diversity of career options available to anyone thinking of making a transition. Beyond connecting and interacting, Linkedin is an astonishing database of millions of career paths providing information on what people do and the path they took to get there. For any of you who attended the PhD Horizons Career Conference last week, whilst you will have had the opportunity to network in person many of the speakers have offered an opportunity to connect on LinkedIn through the events online programme.
To get you started, I’ve compiled a list of resources and suggestions.
For anyone completely new to Linkedin or still unsure/unconvinced of the value of Linkedin for academic networking, this article from the University Association of Contemporary European Studies sets out some compelling reasons why it is
https://www.uaces.org/resources/articles/linkedin-tool-researchers-and-academics
and also check out this advice for academics by Linkedin specialise Sue Ellison https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/linkedin-academics-professors-adjuncts-lecturers-school-sue-ellson/
For how to guides on using Linkedin, start with the University’s Linkedin Learning subscription: https://www.ed.ac.uk/information-services/help-consultancy/is-skills/linkedin-learning there are short courses and quick tips on everything from setting up your profile, using AI to help you write your summary, using and following hashtags, how to use Linkedin creator mode, how to change careers using Linkedin, and much, much more.
Beyond the practicalities – time is precious. Ask yourself, what do you want to get out of using Linkedin? How is going to help you meet your career goals – short, medium, long-term? This article by Mark Carrigan at LSE can help extroverts and introverts alike develop an effective online and hybrid networking strategy https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/impactofsocialsciences/2022/09/15/an-introverts-guide-to-academic-networking-and-hybrid-events/
Browse profiles to get a sense of the range of options available to you for developing your own. Browsing the profiles of role models can help you think about developing your ‘brand’ – whether you are aiming for an academic career in Anthropology (for example), or an Anthropology researcher aiming for a career in the Civil Service (for example).
You may want to start out just using Linkedin to research, but think about how becoming more active by commenting, posting, sharing, and discussing can help to raise your professional profile – increasing opportunities for work, research collaboration, ideas, support, and more.
Lastly, we do run workshops on using Linkedin over the year (mainly our Linkedin and Social Media Retreat), but don’t forget you can talk to me or Eleanor about Linkedin and how to use it in managing your career in a 1:1 Career Consultation.
This post was written by Darcey Gillie, Research Staff Careers Consultant, IAD.
