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Home Graduate School Events October 2023 Blog

UofM Graduate School: October 2023 Blog - LinkedIn Expert Advice, Important Dates, & Festive Memphis Events

LinkedIn Expert Advice for UofM Graduate Students

By: Erica Shaw, University of Memphis Career Services Career Specialist

Your LinkedIn account is not like your other social media accounts. This is NOT Facebook, or Instagram, and it's definitely not TikTok! LinkedIn is a professional social media networking platform, and your account is your connection to your professional network. If you treat it that way, you will find more success with the platform. Here are a few tips on how to do that.

Professional Profile.

Your picture should be a professional headshot or one that you have taken that looks professional. No selfies in your car or hanging out with friends.

Complete every section of your profile. Unlike your resume, you are not limited by space. You can have as many bullet points as you would like for your experience entries. Want to add your high school? Go right ahead. Use your “About” section to highlight who you are and what you have done. List your skills and get endorsements for them. Ask for recommendations from mentors or previous supervisors. Add your interests to show what matters to you.

What you do not want to do is have your LinkedIn profile be an exact replica of your resume. Your profile should give a more in-depth look at who you are.

Activity.

Post. Post. Post. You want to have activity that uses your voice to speak on things that matter to you. Did you just complete a project that allowed you to develop skills that will serve you well in your chosen industry? Post it. Got a new job? Post it. Did you attend a professional event or conference? Post it. Want to create awareness about something that is important to you? Yes, post that too. You also want to comment on the posts of others in your network. Show support, answer a question if you have the knowledge, or ask a question.

The only “rule” is to keep it professional, if you have to ask if it is, it may not be.

Connections.

One of the biggest questions I get is, “Who do I connect with on LinkedIn?” The answer to this question lies in understanding what networking is. You are using LinkedIn to build a network of those people and organizations that are doing what you want to do. So that is who you connect with. Every connection you have should be someone or somewhere that is doing things that you may want to do. My connections fall into the many categories that I function in. I do not connect with insurance salespeople. Nothing wrong with them, but they are just not in any industry that I am in or want to be in. You are not connecting with people just to have a large number of connections. You want to be able to reach out to your network to ask questions, find other connections, and locate opportunities.

Start with these tips and you will be sure to have a LinkedIn profile that garners respect and the right attention.

Important UofM Graduate School Dates:

graduates

  • Friday, November 3, 2023: Deadline to upload the defended and final copy of thesis or dissertation to ProQuest for review along with required documents to the Graduation Analyst (for Commencement)      
  • Tuesday, November 7, 2023: UofM Graduate School Fall Virtual Information Session from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm on Zoom
    • This is a great way to receive comprehensive insights into the graduate admissions process, next steps, and any other inquiries you may have.
    • RSVP Here!

Festive October Events happening in Memphis!

girls in masks pyramid singer on stage

You know what time it is…It’s Festival Season!

  • 2023 World Junior BBQ League Championship & Fall Festival: October 21st
  • RiverArtsFest: October 21st & October 22nd
  • Mempho Presents: BAM! Wiseacre Beer and Music Festival: October 21st
  • Whiskey & Waffle Festival: October 22nd
  • Binghampton Fall Festival: October 28th
  • 26th Annual Indie Memphis Film Festival @ Midtown Memphis: October 24th - 29th

Enjoy some fresh air & move your body!

  • Nature 101 walks: October 21st at Overton Park Conservancy
  • A Journey to You, Yoga with Amah Wellness (free!): October 21st
  • Tai Chi at Tom Lee Park: Monday, October 23rd and Monday, October 30th at 6:00 pm

Be inspired - Read, Sing, & Groove!

  • Jada Pinkett Smith @ Novel: October 22nd
  • The Reunion Tour: Kirk Franklin, Tye Tribbett, The Clark Sisters, David and Tamela Mann & Israel Houghton: October 24th
  • Stevie Nicks: October 28th
  • Karaoke @ Black Lodge on Tuesdays through the end of December

October = ALL THINGS HALLOWEEN!

  • Wicked Ways Haunted House 2023 Season: from now until October 29th
  • Haunted Corn Maze at the Agricenter International: from now until October 29th
  • Haunted Activities at Go Ape Zipline & Adventures Park: October 20-29th
  • Fright-tober: throughout October, Crosstown Concourse Theatre shows popular Halloween movies!
  • Beale Street Art Crawl Vendor Pop-up Market: October 28th
  • Oktoberfest at Overton Square: October 28th
  • Halloween Bar Crawl - Memphis - 6th Annual: October 28th
  • Beetlejuice touring at the Orpheum: October 31st
  • HAUNT COUTURE: A MOXY HALLOWEEN SOIREE: October 31st