As students begin preparing for competitive university applications, building a professional online presence can be a powerful tool — and LinkedIn is one of the best platforms to begin that journey. But using LinkedIn as a teenager requires a thoughtful and responsible approach.

Here are 8 key things every student (and parent) should keep in mind:

1. LinkedIn Is a Professional Platform — Not Social Media

LinkedIn is a space for professional development — not for selfies or memes. If you're creating a profile, your tone, photo, and content should reflect the image you want to share with universities, employers, and future connections. Think: academic achievements, summer courses, volunteer work, passions, and goals.

2. You Must Be 16+ to Join LinkedIn

LinkedIn’s minimum age requirement is 16. If you're under 18, it’s a good idea to set up your account with the support and awareness of a parent or guardian.

3. Use LinkedIn to Tell Your Story

This is your space to show more than your grades. You can:

• Write a short “About” section describing your interests and aspirations
• List extracurricular activities, volunteer experiences, and summer programmes
• Link to personal projects (a blog, a YouTube channel, a research paper)
• Your LinkedIn can evolve over time — it doesn’t need to be perfect from day one.

4. Do Not Contact Your Teachers or School Staff on LinkedIn

At St. Catherine’s, students are not permitted to connect with staff on LinkedIn until after they graduate. LinkedIn is not a communication tool for internal school matters — use school channels (email, Teams) instead.

5. Some Universities Track Demonstrated Interest — Cautiously

Certain US universities do track “demonstrated interest” — for example, whether you follow them on LinkedIn, attend their events, or open their emails. Following a university’s official LinkedIn page and interacting with public content (e.g. liking a campus tour video) can help show that you’re engaged.

BUT:
That doesn’t mean you should message admissions tutors directly. In fact, many do not want to be contacted through LinkedIn — unless they clearly invite it. If you're unsure, don’t reach out. Use LinkedIn to learn, not to chase.

6. Engage, But Stay Professional

Follow people in fields you're curious about (medicine, design, law, AI). Read their posts. You might comment or repost things that inspire you — but always ask yourself: Would I be proud of this comment if an admissions officer saw it?

7. Privacy Settings Matter

As a younger user, take time to adjust your privacy settings:

• Decide who can see your connections
• Turn off “Let recruiters know you're open to work”
• Limit visibility if you’re just starting out and want to test before going public
• Your digital footprint should feel safe and intentional.

8. Parental Support Is Helpful — Especially at the Start

Setting up LinkedIn together can be a great way to discuss your goals and highlight achievements you may overlook. Parents can help with:

• Drafting the first summary
• Reviewing what makes a strong profile photo
• Helping manage notifications or privacy

Want More Tips?

I highly recommend this guide for parents and students:
👉 8 Things Teenagers and Their Parents Need to Know About LinkedIn by William Arruda

Final Thought

Your LinkedIn profile doesn’t have to be perfect — it just needs to be authentic. Think of it as your online CV, combined with your personal story. Start small. Be mindful. And remember: this isn’t just about getting into university — it’s about building a foundation for life.