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

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1. Take Courses Unrelated to Your Major

Steve Jobs made Apple the premier desktop publishing platform because he took a course totally unrelated to technology: calligraphy. It was out of his area of expertise, yet it inspired him to popularize fonts and typography on personal computers.

Even if you’re obsessed with accounting, don’t limit your education one single area. College is about risk-taking and leaving your comfort zone.

Besides being well-rounded, the benefits are enormous. You will be able to talk comfortably and intelligently with people from all areas of expertise, which is extremely important in the world of business. Being able to understand where other people are coming from also increases your ability to connect with them and form meaningful relationships. A strong personal brand means little without strong relationships to back it up.

2. Don’t Join Clubs and Organizations. LEAD Them.

Student organizations, fraternities and sororities are opportunities to lead. Not only will you become known around campus, but you will learn firsthand what it takes to lead a team. If you were making hiring decisions, would you rather hire a club “President” or a club “member?” Leadership positions go a long way to build your brand.

You will also meet passionate people your age that share your interests. Certain clubs in particular, such as Toastmasters – which focuses on improving your public speaking skills in a supportive group environment – will help you hone some of the most vital skills needed to succeed in business and in life.

3. Be a Teaching Assistant For a Semester

It’s often easier than you might think to be a T.A., and professors are always happy for the help. Simply go up to your professor after class (in a subject that interests you) and ask if they’d be interested in having you as their T.A.

The position will improve highly transferable skills including organizational and interpersonal skills. You’ll also get to know professors on a more personal level, deepening your relationships and forming bonds that may last a lifetime.

4. Take Leadership Roles at Every Turn.

Take leadership roles whenever they appear. If you think you don’t have enough time for multiple leadership roles, prioritize and eliminate the positions that excite you the least.

The more leadership roles you take on, the easier leading becomes – and the more comfortable you’ll be taking on even better roles. You may want to start simple, such as tutoring your favorite subject. You could become a peer advisor and help organize events or aid in spearheading a fundraiser. You’ll meet new passionate people (the best kind of people to know!) and hone your leadership, interpersonal and organizational skills.

5. Do a co-op or shadow a prominent figure in your field.

You can’t get real-world experience through books. The most important lessons in life – and the ones we remember most – are lessons we learn from our own mistakes. You can’t the make mistakes that will shape a strong Brand You if you hide under textbooks.

That’s not to say that books aren’t valuable tools. However, you need to get yourself out there and trip up a few times. Everybody does, and everybody needs to. The more mistakes you make early on, the less you’ll make later. And as a student, you’re not expected to be perfect. Make sure you ask questions constantly and tap into the knowledge of those above you.

6. Rabidly approach everyday problems with an entrepreneurial mindset.

Constantly ask yourself how you can capitalize on everyday problems. Look around you and ask yourself: what annoys you? For example, college student Ricky Podsiadlo launched http://winterhatshoppe.com at a Syracuse University, where students often skip classes because it snows so hard. He looked at a problem – excessively cold weather – as an opportunity to offer a solution.

7. Work a part-time job.

There are often a variety of part-time jobs on campus, and it’s up to you to find them. A dining services position can strengthen a weak resume by showing that you’re hardworking, punctual and energetic. A Resident Advisor position demonstrates your interpersonal, time management and organizational skills. No matter what job you take, you will be meeting new people, learning new skills and learning how to manage your time more effectively.

8. Volunteer.

Contributing your time can pay dividends by strengthening your resume, adding to your network and learning about new opportunities. Maria Elena Duro is an excellent example of someone who used volunteering to strengthen her personal brand: “As the vice president of a business fraternity in college,” she said, “I booked speakers to speak to our fraternity for professional development. I asked each of them to write a letter for me about their experience working with me so that I could include that in my personal portfolio. Many of these speakers went on to become regional directors, chief operation officers, chief financial officers, company presidents and further that my portfolio has become quite valuable. Actively ‘buzz’ your brand! Doing that will develop credibility; credibility will lead to influence; and influence with lead to leadership.”

When it comes down to it, building your brand means getting out and doing things that build your skills or are aligned with your passions. What can you do today to start building Brand You?

For more tips about building your brand as a college student, check out our other post, 5 Things to do in College To Lay Your Brand’s Foundation.

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