A couple of years ago I would have laughed if someone suggested I post anything more than a new job update on LinkedIn. I never understood long paragraph posts and wondered when LinkedIn users had time to type them up.
Now I wonder how I am going to make an impression on LinkedIn, spending hours each week scrolling through connections, stalking profiles, and sending emails to those I have connected with previously. Since making my way through the venture space and exploring more roles in the technical space, I've taken my networking and self-promotion to the next level.
In college, I loved networking and connecting with others, but I never shared anything. Looking back, I did some amazing things in college: founded initiatives, won a service award, was the highlighted student for my major (Computer Science) in my graduating class..the list goes on. None of these accomplishments were posted on my LinkedIn during my time at school. This haunts me to this day, but I can recognize why I acted in this way.
I've reached a point now where I am not afraid to reach out to people and am slowly caring less about how others perceive me. Especially, because I step into spaces being authentically myself having my moments where I am quiet, observant, and sometimes slightly awkward to opening up when I talk to others. I greatly value humility, but for most of college I thought posting my constant accomplishments presented as a form of bragging. I also was afraid to go up to people I didn't know assuming they'd hate me and question why I was talking to them ( sounds a bit extreme but sometimes my mind takes me there lol). Now, I try not to take things too personally whether it's being ghosted on LinkedIn or ignored at a networking event.
I can still be humble while sharing my accomplishments. I can shoot my shot and show that I'm trying. I can be willing to accept the good and bad that come from all of my experiences! I'm not afraid to showcase my skills, market myself, and show that I'm trying. I'm choosing to showcase my journey and I know it will be worth it.
P.S. If you're interested in looking at some of the articles written about me ;) see here ( 1) https://wfuogb.com/16519/graduation-tabloid-2022/computer-science-zoe-chamberlin/, 2) https://cs.wfu.edu/today-we-celebrate-zoe/, 3) https://news.wfu.edu/2022/02/16/though-virtual-the-annual-mlk-read-in-day-for-children-being-held-saturday/
-Zoe :)
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