By Corazon Gomez Lezama 
Trinity Times Correspondent

When graduation approaches each year, many Trinity Washington University students find themselves trying to make connections completely outside of the professors, fellow students and clubs to which they have become accustomed.

Social media platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram have revolutionized how students find jobs after they receive their diploma. This can lead to some anxiety over how to successfully network online, but the new digital landscape has created many opportunities that didn’t exist before. 

“Even 15 years ago, networking events were held in person and limited to local or regional access,” said Sherron Washington, a communication professor at Trinity Washington University, specializing in marketing and communication strategy. “Now, with social media, you can network across the world and create real relationships far beyond.” 

Platforms like LinkedIn have become integral to professional development for students, making it easier to connect with industry professionals and share knowledge globally, Washington told Trinity Times. 

One 2023 LinkedIn report revealed that 80% of professionals credit networking with securing their current job, underscoring the platform’s influence in modern career-building.

Another Study highlights the value of professional social networks for career development and networking. LinkedIn, with more than 660 million members globally, is widely used for creating professional networks, personal marketing, and online reputation management.

Among students and professionals, LinkedIn’s tailored recommendations and robust networking services make it a vital tool for career advancement and connecting across industries.

For Trinity alumna Karla Nunez-Perez, the emphasis on networking started early. 

“Trinity encouraged us to build our networks from the beginning,” Nunez-Perez said, “which led me to start my LinkedIn profile as a freshman.” 

One year after graduation, Nunez-Perez has grown her LinkedIn network to more than 500 connections, which she credits for securing internships and advocacy opportunities. 

“Reaching out to someone on LinkedIn isn’t creepy,” she said, “it shows initiative.” 

Nunez-Perez was originally hesitant to reach out to strangers, but she found that taking this first step usually paid off. “The worst that can happen is they decline the connection.” 

One standout moment for Nunez-Perez came after she shared a LinkedIn post in 2022 advocating for immigrant youth. In the post, she detailed her own experiences navigating barriers as a DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) student and highlighted the importance of equitable access to education. 

That single post caught the attention of the Latino Student Fund, leading to an invitation this year, to speak at a private event at the Mexican Cultural Institute in Washington, where Mexican ambassador Esteban Barragan, with funders and other diplomats gathered to discuss immigrant youth advocacy. 

Trinity senior and human relations major Evelin Ortiz also uses LinkedIn strategically to connect with professionals and find opportunities. She dedicates about two hours a week to the platform. 

“I use LinkedIn to meet people, see their likes, and follow mutuals with similar values,” Ortiz told Trinity Times. “Through LinkedIn, I’ve learned about internships from posts or likes by people I follow.” 

Ortiz admits that not every attempt at networking is successful, with some messages going unanswered. Still, she stays focused. “Reaching out and not hearing back is tough, but I stay motivated by focusing on what I learn from the platform.” 

Creating a professional online identity is a foundation of effective networking, Washington said, stressing the importance of a polished appearance. 

“Start with a good professional picture — one that’s approachable but polished,” she said. “This opens doors in the biased and judgmental space of first impressions.” 

Nunez-Perez agreed, stressing the value of headshots over casual selfies. “A good headshot signals professionalism. Take advantage of events where Trinity offers free headshots.”

Trinity’s Butterfly Network frequently organizes free professional headshot sessions, held during the spring semester in the university’s Payden Academic Center.

Beyond appearances, Washington advises students to engage actively on social media. 

“Don’t just post, engage,” she said. “Reach out and don’t be afraid of hearing ‘no.’ Networking is about building relationships over time.” 

This level of engagement is essential to increasing visibility and legitimacy online, Washington said, stressing that liking, commenting, and sharing content boosts a user’s profile and demonstrates involvement in a given field. 

“Engagement shows you’re active, intelligent, and worth connecting with,” she said. “It can also establish credibility when professionals engage with your content.” 

Ortiz also noted the need to keep LinkedIn profiles authentic and professional. 

“Your profile should reflect your interests,” she said, “and give people a sense of who you are, what you’re studying, and what you hope to achieve.” 

As artificial intelligence tools become more widespread, approaches to digital networking are transforming rapidly.

LinkedIn offers AI-based personalized job recommendations and auto-generated connection requests, which Washington believes can be a benefit to students. 

“AI can simplify tasks like finding articles to share or summarizing content,” she said. “When used as an assistant rather than a crutch, AI elevates how students engage on social media.”

Trinity’s Career Services offers numerous resources for students who want to build a stronger online presence. Students can book appointments via Starfish for services such as resume and cover letter reviews, LinkedIn profile building, internship and job searches, and interview preparation. 

Career Services also provides access to Handshake, a platform where students can explore job postings, internships, and employer profiles, as well as register for career fairs and employer panels. 

In today’s world, a person’s network truly is their net worth, Washington said. Beyond merely connecting with people, digital networking creates opportunities and opens doors that simply weren’t available to students in the past. 

“Don’t be afraid to take the first step and put yourself out there,” Ortiz said enthusiastically. “Even if you don’t get a response right away, every attempt builds confidence and experience for the future.”