Redlands Edge: Digital Presence (LinkedIn) Guide

A guide to help students complete the Personal Branding Activity (Digital Presence) Edge Program Elective

How This Guide Helps You Complete Your Edge Requirement

To complete the Personal Branding Activity (Digital Presence) component, you will use this guide to build or update a professional LinkedIn profile that reflects your interests, values, and goals.

After completing your LinkedIn profile, submit the following information in the Personal Branding Activity Navigate Journey (300-word minimum):

  • Provide the web URL of your LinkedIn profile, personal website, or digital portfolio
  • What does your online presence say about your values and goals?
  • Create 1-3 bullet point you could later use on a resume or LinkedIn profile to describe this experience. Use OCPD’s bullet point resource (below) to strengthen your bullet.

This guide is designed to help you confidently complete these requirements by understanding what makes a strong LinkedIn profile, learning how to present yourself professionally online, and translating this work into career-ready materials.

What Is a Professional Digital Presence?

A professional digital presence refers to how you present yourself online in academic, professional, and career-related spaces. This often includes platforms such as LinkedIn, a personal website, or a digital portfolio.

Your digital presence:

  • Helps employers and graduate programs learn about you
  • Often creates a first impression before an interview or conversation
  • Allows you to share your interests, experiences, and goals in your own words

A strong digital presence should align with your resume or CV and communicate who you are and what you are working toward.

What Is LinkedIn and Why It Matters

LinkedIn is a professional networking platform used by employers, alumni, graduate programs, and professionals across industries. It allows you to share your education, experiences, skills, and career interests in one place.

Your LinkedIn profile:

  • Often creates a first impression before interviews or networking conversations
  • Helps employers and alumni learn about you beyond your resume
  • Makes it easier for opportunities to find you
  • Supports networking and relationship-building over time

Your profile does not need to be perfect. It should be professional, complete, and intentional.

LinkedIn Profile Content Requirements

Below are the 5 core sections students are required to complete or update.

Your submission will be reviewed to ensure it meets these requirements. OCPD staff reviewing your LinkedIn will focus on completion, effort, and intentionality rather than perfection.

1. Profile Photo

Your photo is often the first thing people notice.

  • Use a clear, professional headshot
  • Choose a neutral background (inside or outside) with good lighting
  • Wear neat, appropriate clothing
  • No group photos, filters, or casual images

2. Headline

Your headline appears directly under your name and should Include:

  • Your current role (student, major, or academic focus)
  • An area of interest or career direction (if known)

Example:
Psychology Student at the University of Redlands | Interested in Mental Health & Community Advocacy

3. About Section

Write a short paragraph (2–4 sentences) that introduces you.

You may include:

  • Who you are and what you are studying
  • Academic or career interests
  • Skills or experiences you are developing
  • What you are currently exploring or working toward

4. Experience

This section should include at least 3 of the following types of experiences:

  • Jobs or internships
  • Campus roles or leadership positions
  • Volunteer experiences
  • Class projects or research

For each entry:

  • List your title, the organization, position description, and dates
  • In the position description, add brief bullet points describing responsibilities, skills, or outcomes (could be bullet points already listed on your resume)

5. Education

Include:

  • University of Redlands
  • Degree program, field of study (if known) and expected graduation date
  • Optional: minors, relevant coursework, projects, or honors

6. Volunteering, Skills, and Licenses and Certifications Sections (OPTIONAL)

  • Volunteer experiences including your Community Service Learning Internship (CSLI)
  • Technical and transferable skills
  • Certifications or training programs

Choose skills that reflect what you are learning and developing.

Completing the Edge Requirement

Once you have built or updated your LinkedIn profile:

  • Submit your profile URL, reflection, and bullet points in the Personal Branding Activity Edge Navigate Journey
  • Staff will review and approve your submission and update your Edge progress

Student FAQ: Why Might My Digital Presence Submission Need Revision?

Does “needs revision” mean I did something wrong?

No. A revision request simply means there is an opportunity to clarify, strengthen, or complete part of your submission. Edge reviews are meant to support your learning and help you get the most out of the experience.

What are the most common reasons a submission needs revision?

1. The link doesn’t work or wasn’t included
Make sure you provide a working web URL to your LinkedIn profile, personal website, or digital portfolio.

2. Key profile sections are missing or incomplete
For LinkedIn, this often means a missing photo, headline, About section, or experience/projects. These sections help others understand who you are and what you’re working toward.

3. The reflection is too brief or general
Reflections should go beyond surface-level statements (for example, “This was helpful”). We look for specific insights about what your online presence communicates about your values and goals.

4. The digital presence does not clearly reflect your interests or goals
Your profile should give some indication of what you are exploring, studying, or working toward, even if your plans are still evolving.

5. Bullet points are missing or need more detail
You are asked to include 1–3 bullet points that describe what you learned or developed through this experience. Bullets should be clear, skill-focused, and written in a way that could be reused on a resume or LinkedIn profile.

6. Information is outdated or inconsistent
If your digital presence does not match your current academic status, experiences, or portfolio, you may be asked to update it for accuracy.