The best time to start building Brand You is before you graduate. Even though there are many distractions in college, it is the perfect time to start building up your name and establish yourself as an active member of your area of expertise.
Given that you have so much going on during school (studying, working, going out, etc.) it is important to keep the big picture in mind. What will bring you more success in the long run: participating in the consulting club, or participating in a beer tasting group? Periodically “zoom out” to the 10,000 foot view of your life to remind yourself of what is important.
Here are five tips to keep in mind throughout your college career that will lay a strong foundation for your personal brand:
1. Take advantage of what is around you. If there is a speaker series coming to your campus, get involved. You never know where opportunities might exist. In the long run, you’ll be able to talk intelligently about the creative marketing lecture you attended, rather than a party you only half remember. Also, make a point to introduce yourself to guest speakers and tell them what you are passionate about. They are often very well connected, and might know someone who could help you get where you want to be faster.
2. Start something. You don’t need to change the world at the age of 20, but it never hurts to get involved. Taking the first step and showing some initiative is a great way to get noticed and have other doors opened for you in the future. This is especially true with faculty and administration; leadership positions allow you to interface directly with the higher-ups, who are often excellent resources.
3. Track what you do. I often sit down to update my resume and can’t remember specific details of a particular event. Keeping notes of major items you are taking part in makes life much easier down the road. You will save yourself hours trying to reconstruct past events in your mind, and you will have a much less stressful time updating it. In fact, if you get good at tracking what you do, updating your resume actually starts to be fun.
4. Experiment. It is a good idea to branch out from your comfort zone here and there. It gives you a better perspective on the world and exposes you to experiences that benefit your personal brand. It is important to have a well defined and niched brand, but you should also be somewhat versed in a variety of topics.
5. Take your time at school seriously – it ends faster than you think. While professional development may not be something that you want to focus on right now, it is something that is worth spending time on. Get a head start and begin blazing your trail today. It is easier to stand out if you are the only one competing.
For more tips on building your brand in college, check out our other post, 8 Ways to Build Your Brand as a College Student.
- Author: RJ Sherman
