LinkedIn + GitHub: Online Presence That Works

Question: "When someone Googles your name, what do they find?"

• Social media posts from high school?
• Nothing at all?
• Professional profiles and projects?

Reality: Recruiters WILL Google you. Let's make sure they find good things!

Why LinkedIn Matters:

• 750+ million professionals use it
• Recruiters actively search for candidates
• Shows up first in Google searches
• Networking and job discovery platform

Profile Photo Tips:

• Professional headshot (doesn't need to be expensive)
• Smile and make eye contact with camera
• Dress for the job you want
• Plain background works best
• No group photos, pets, or sunglasses

Headline Optimization:

Bad: "Student at James Madison University"

Good: "Computer Science Student | Aspiring Software Engineer | Python & Java Developer"

Better: "CS Student at JMU | Building Web Applications | Seeking Summer 2025 Internship"

Building a Profile That Gets Noticed

LinkedIn Summary Formula:

The Perfect LinkedIn Summary Structure:

1. Hook (1-2 sentences): Grab attention with your unique value
2. Current Status (2-3 sentences): What you're doing now and studying
3. Skills & Interests (2-3 sentences): Technical skills and passion areas
4. Goals (1-2 sentences): What you're looking for
5. Call to Action (1 sentence): How people can connect with you

Example Summary:

"Passionate about using technology to solve real-world problems and create meaningful user experiences.

Currently pursuing a Computer Science degree at James Madison University with a focus on full-stack web development. I've built several web applications using React, Node.js, and Python, including a personal finance tracker that helps students manage their budgets.

My technical interests include machine learning, cloud computing, and mobile app development. I'm particularly drawn to projects that combine technical innovation with social impact.

Seeking summer 2025 internship opportunities in software engineering where I can contribute to meaningful projects while continuing to learn and grow.

Always happy to connect with fellow students, professionals, and anyone passionate about technology!"

Experience Section Best Practices:

• Include Everything Relevant: Jobs, internships, projects, volunteer work
• Use Action Verbs: Same principles as resume writing
• Add Media: Screenshots, links, documents when possible
• Quantify Results: Numbers make impact clear
• Tell Stories: LinkedIn allows more narrative than resumes

Skills Section Strategy:

• Top 3 Skills: Most important for your target role
• Get Endorsements: Ask classmates and colleagues
• Endorse Others: They often reciprocate
• Regular Updates: Add new skills as you learn them

Showcasing Your Code to the World

GitHub Profile Optimization:

• Profile Picture: Same professional photo as LinkedIn
• Bio: Concise description of your interests and skills
• Location: Include your city for local opportunities
• Website: Link to portfolio, LinkedIn, or personal site
• Pinned Repositories: Showcase your 6 best projects

GitHub Profile README Template:

# Hi there, I'm [Your Name] 👋

## About Me
- 🎓 Computer Science student at James Madison University
- 💻 Passionate about full-stack web development
- 🌱 Currently learning React and Node.js
- 🔭 Working on a personal finance tracking app
- 👯 Looking to collaborate on open source projects
- 📫 How to reach me: [your-email@example.com]

## Tech Stack
**Languages:** Python, Java, JavaScript, HTML/CSS
**Frameworks:** React, Express.js, Flask
**Tools:** Git, VS Code, Docker
**Databases:** MySQL, MongoDB

## GitHub Stats
![Your GitHub stats](https://github-readme-stats.vercel.app/api?username=yourusername&show_icons=true&theme=radical)

## Connect with me:
[LinkedIn](your-linkedin-url) | [Portfolio](your-portfolio-url)

Repository Best Practices:

• Descriptive Names: Clear, professional repository names
• Comprehensive READMEs: Explain what, why, and how
• Clean Code: Well-commented, organized code
• Live Demos: Deploy projects when possible
• Regular Commits: Show consistent activity

Project README Template:

# Project Name

Brief description of what your project does and who it's for.

## Features
- Feature 1
- Feature 2  
- Feature 3

## Demo
[Live Demo](link-to-deployed-app)
![Screenshot](screenshot.png)

## Technologies Used
- Frontend: React, CSS3, HTML5
- Backend: Node.js, Express
- Database: MongoDB
- Deployment: Heroku

## Installation
```bash
git clone https://github.com/username/project-name.git
cd project-name
npm install
npm start
```

## Usage
Explain how to use your application

## Contributing
Pull requests are welcome. For major changes, please open an issue first.

## License
[MIT](https://choosealicense.com/licenses/mit/)

Creating Your Professional Home on the Web

Why You Need a Personal Website:

• Professional Credibility: Shows you're serious about your career
• Creative Control: Showcase personality and style
• SEO Benefits: Control what appears when people Google you
• Portfolio Space: Detailed project showcases
• Contact Hub: Central place for all your links

Essential Website Sections:

• About: Your story, background, and interests
• Projects: Detailed case studies of your best work
• Skills: Technical and soft skills with proficiency levels
• Experience: Work history and achievements
• Contact: Multiple ways to reach you
• Blog (Optional): Share insights and learning journey

Website Building Tools & Platforms:

No-Code Solutions:

• Wix: Drag-and-drop builder, professional templates
• Squarespace: Beautiful designs, great for portfolios
• WordPress.com: Easy to use, lots of customization
• Webflow: More advanced, designer-friendly

Code-Based Solutions:

• GitHub Pages: Free hosting for static sites
• Netlify: Easy deployment, great for React/Vue apps
• Vercel: Perfect for Next.js and modern frameworks
• Custom HTML/CSS: Full control, showcase coding skills

Domain and Hosting:

• Domain Options: yourname.com, yourname.dev, yourname.tech
• Cost: $10-15/year for domain, free hosting available
• Professional Email: hello@yourname.com looks more professional

Managing Your Digital Footprint

The Google Test:

• Search Your Name: What appears in the first 3 results?
• Image Search: Are there any unprofessional photos?
• Social Media: Check privacy settings on all platforms
• Old Accounts: Delete or clean up unused profiles

Social Media Audit Checklist:

Platform-by-Platform Audit:

Facebook:

• Set profile to private or friends-only
• Review tagged photos and posts
• Update profile picture to something professional
• Remove or hide controversial content

Instagram:

• Consider making account private
• Use professional username if public
• Clean up old posts that don't reflect current you
• Add professional bio if keeping public

Twitter/X:

• Review old tweets for inappropriate content
• Update bio to reflect current status
• Consider using for professional networking
• Follow industry leaders and engage professionally

TikTok/Snapchat:

• Keep separate from professional identity
• Use different username than professional accounts
• Be mindful of content that could be screenshot

Building Positive Digital Presence:

• Consistent Branding: Same photo and username across platforms
• Professional Content: Share industry articles, insights, projects
• Engage Thoughtfully: Comment meaningfully on others' posts
• Show Personality: Be professional but authentic

Building Thought Leadership as a Student

Content Ideas for Students:

• Learning Journey: Share what you're studying and discovering
• Project Showcases: Break down your development process
• Industry Insights: Comment on tech news and trends
• Tutorial Content: Teach others what you've learned
• Career Reflections: Share internship experiences and lessons

Student Content Calendar Template:

Weekly Content Schedule:

Monday - Motivation Monday:

• Share career goals or learning objectives
• Motivational quotes about technology or learning
• Weekly learning plan or project kickoff

Wednesday - Work in Progress:

• Behind-the-scenes of current projects
• Challenges you're facing and how you're solving them
• New tools or technologies you're exploring

Friday - Feature Friday:

• Showcase completed projects or features
• Share interesting articles or resources you found
• Highlight other students' or professionals' work

Monthly Themes:

• January: New Year learning goals
• February: Networking and relationship building
• March: Spring break projects
• April: Internship search and applications

Engagement Best Practices:

• Be Authentic: Share genuine experiences and thoughts
• Add Value: Every post should help or inspire others
• Use Hashtags: Research relevant hashtags for visibility
• Engage Back: Respond to comments and engage with others
• Stay Consistent: Regular posting builds audience

Building Professional Relationships Online

LinkedIn Networking Strategy:

• Connection Requests: Always include personalized message
• Alumni Network: Connect with JMU graduates in your field
• Industry Groups: Join relevant professional groups
• Content Engagement: Like, comment, and share thoughtfully
• Follow-Up: Continue conversations beyond initial connection

Networking Message Templates:

LinkedIn Connection Request Templates:

Alumni Connection:

"Hi [Name], I'm a current CS student at JMU and noticed you're also a Duke! I'm really interested in [their field/company] and would love to learn about your career journey. Would you be open to connecting?"

Industry Professional:

"Hi [Name], I came across your profile while researching [their company/field]. As a student passionate about [relevant area], I'd love to connect and learn from your experience in the industry."

Event Follow-Up:

"Hi [Name], Great meeting you at [event name]! I really enjoyed our conversation about [specific topic]. I'd love to stay connected and continue learning from your insights."

Follow-Up Message Templates:

Informational Interview Request:

"Hi [Name], Thank you for connecting! I'm currently exploring career paths in [field] and would greatly value your insights. Would you be available for a brief 15-20 minute call to share your experience? I'm happy to work around your schedule."

GitHub Networking:

• Open Source Contributions: Contribute to projects you use
• Follow Developers: Follow people whose work you admire
• Star and Fork: Show appreciation for others' projects
• Issue Discussions: Participate in project discussions
• Code Reviews: Provide helpful feedback on pull requests

Twitter/X Professional Networking:

• Follow Industry Leaders: Stay updated on trends and insights
• Join Conversations: Reply thoughtfully to tweets
• Share Resources: Retweet valuable content with your insights
• Use Hashtags: #TechTwitter, #100DaysOfCode, #LearnInPublic

Your Complete Online Professional Brand Development

Week 1: Foundation and Optimization

Days 1-3: Digital Audit and Cleanup

• Conduct comprehensive Google search audit of your digital footprint
• Clean up and optimize privacy settings on all social media platforms
• Delete or archive unprofessional content across all platforms
• Create consistent professional usernames and profile photos
• Set up professional email address if needed (firstname.lastname@gmail.com)

Days 4-5: LinkedIn Profile Mastery

• Optimize LinkedIn profile with professional photo, compelling headline, and detailed summary
• Add all relevant experience, education, and skills with detailed descriptions
• Request recommendations from professors, employers, and colleagues
• Join 5 relevant professional groups and industry communities
• Connect with 25 new professionals using personalized messages

Days 6-7: GitHub Portfolio Development

• Create comprehensive GitHub profile with professional README
• Upload and organize 5+ projects with detailed documentation
• Write compelling README files for each project with demos and explanations
• Pin your 6 best repositories to showcase diverse skills
• Start contributing to open source projects in your areas of interest

Week 2: Content Creation and Engagement

Days 8-10: Personal Website Creation

• Design and build personal portfolio website showcasing your work
• Create detailed project case studies with process and outcomes
• Write compelling about page that tells your professional story
• Optimize website for search engines and mobile devices
• Purchase professional domain name and set up hosting

Days 11-12: Content Strategy Implementation

• Develop content calendar for regular professional posting
• Create and publish 3 pieces of valuable content (LinkedIn posts, blog articles, etc.)
• Engage meaningfully with 50+ posts from industry professionals
• Share insights about your learning journey and projects
• Start building thought leadership in your area of interest

Days 13-14: Network Expansion and Maintenance

• Reach out to 15 new professionals for informational interviews
• Follow up with existing connections and nurture relationships
• Join virtual networking events and professional meetups
• Create system for ongoing network maintenance and engagement
• Set up Google Alerts for your name and industry topics

Required Deliverables:

1. Optimized LinkedIn Profile: Complete professional profile with 100+ connections
2. GitHub Portfolio: 5+ well-documented projects with professional README files
3. Personal Website: Professional portfolio site with case studies and contact info
4. Digital Footprint Report: Analysis of your online presence before and after cleanup
5. Content Calendar: 3-month plan for regular professional content creation
6. Network Expansion Plan: Strategy for ongoing professional relationship building
7. Professional Brand Guidelines: Consistent messaging and visual identity across platforms
8. Engagement Tracking System: Method for monitoring and improving online presence

Success Metrics:

• LinkedIn Growth: 100+ professional connections and regular engagement
• GitHub Activity: Consistent commits and well-documented projects
• Website Traffic: Professional site with clear contact and portfolio information
• Content Engagement: Regular posting with meaningful interactions
• Search Results: Professional content appears in top 3 Google results for your name

Advanced Challenges:

• Start a technical blog and publish weekly articles
• Speak at a virtual meetup or create educational video content
• Contribute significantly to an open source project
• Build a personal brand around a specific technology or industry niche
• Create a professional newsletter or podcast

Your Complete Digital Presence Transformation Guide

Submit Your Digital Presence Portfolio!

After completing your 2-week digital transformation challenge, submit your comprehensive homework through the Homework tab. This assignment will establish your professional online presence for years to come!

Submission Deadline: Two weeks from today's meeting

Your online presence is your 24/7 representative - make it work for you!