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3 Tips for Utilizing Social Media

66% of admissions officers say applicants’ social media content is “fair game” in the admissions equation.

For college applicants, that means it’s more important than ever to have a positive social media presence. US News recently highlighted a few “do’s and don’ts” that experts recommend for students to make the best use of social media.

MARKET YOURSELF PROFESSIONALLY

Social media, when used correctly, can have a positive impact on your college application. Experts say having a social media page that represents your professional interests and goals can be helpful in admissions.

Marcus Sanderlin, associate director of market readiness and employment for the Wake Forest University School of Business, recommends having a professional headshot on your profile and a bio that reflects your professional interests and ambitions.

“If you want to go into education, for example, and you have different pictures or images of being in spaces where you’re impacting the community, that’s a great look,” he tells US News. “If you want to go into finance, for example, and you have images and content that reflects an awareness of the market, those are ways that you can present yourself in a very marketable and intentional way.”

FOLLOW EMPLOYERS

Social media is also a great opportunity to connect with companies that you may be interested in interning or working at. A company’s social media presence can often give a student insight into a company’s culture and values.

“I know we talk about how the job seeker should be impressing the employer, but you also have to think about how the employer is impressing the job seeker,” Sanderlin says. “I would encourage all seekers and young scholars to evaluate what the company is doing. If you’re looking for a company and diversity is an important factor for you, but their Instagram profile lacks diversity, that either could be a red flag or a great point of conversation in an interview.”

LIMIT YOUR CONSUMPTION

Like any tool, social media can have negative effects if used too often. Experts recommend limiting your time on social media to keep your mental health in check.

“Shut off social media if you find that it is impacting your mental health and it’s not helping you make progress with your own development,” Marlena Yang, senior career coach in the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, says. “We’ve all probably been at a place where a whole evening has passed us by while we’re stuck scrolling social media on our phones. Creating and implementing a mindfulness practice, such as spending a few minutes a day meditating or even being intentionally focused on the present moment while completing daily chores, can help buffer against doom-scrolling and regulate use of social media.”

Sources: US News, Kaplan

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