TEM #025: How to use LinkedIn for graduate school research.

January 12, 2024

It’s Friday - you made it!

This week we’re going over one of the best, most underutilized resources for learning what you really want to know about graduate programs: LinkedIn.

I know, I know, maybe you have an account and barely log on (I rarely used mine for 10+ years). It’s totally fine, today’s tips are for anyone with a basic profile.

And if this is the nudge you need to get on LinkedIn in 2024, great! I’m happy to connect and answer any questions about how to use it for your search.

This week’s highlights:

• Your education affirmation

• How to use LinkedIn for graduate school research

• Where January gets its name

• Strategy Session contest winner 🏆

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Education affirmation.

“The great aim of education is not knowledge but action.” - Herbert Spencer

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How to use LinkedIn for graduate school research.

This approach is for graduate school window shoppers who may not be emotionally ready to reach out to Admissions representatives. I’ve got you covered!

While some people use U.S. News & World Report* rankings to guide their graduate school search, LinkedIn is the prime location for working professionals to learn what you really want to know: what is the typical career path of alumni from different programs?

(*College and graduate school rankings are based on super flawed processes which I’ll write about another time)

Here’s how to use LinkedIn to research alumni and their career paths to see if a program will help you reach your career goals:

• Step 0: Before starting, you’ll need a list of universities and specific program names you’re considering (save these instructions for later if you’re still exploring)

• Step 1: Log into LinkedIn and use the top search bar to type the university‘s name; then click on their primary profile page

  If there is a profile page option for a specific college/school (ex. College of Education or School of Business), you can check that out for the following steps, too - just know that people often list the main university in their profile’s education section versus a specific college which limits search results

• Step 2: Click the “Alumni” tab

• Step 3: Type the program name into the search bar under “# alumni”

• Step 4: You’ll see a series of horizontal bar charts; below those are the list of profiles you’ll explore

Pause here.

Before clicking on random profiles, use the bar charts to help filter your search based on related program names and careers that pique your interest.

Here are the chart names in the Alumni search tab, I’ve bolded the two of interest for an alumni career trajectory search:

• Where they work

• Where they live

• What they do

• What they are skilled at

• What they studied

• How you are connected

Consider clicking a few of the horizontal labels in these charts based on what’s most important to you (this could even include current locations if you’d like to be in a specific area post-graduation).

• Step 5: After making more detailed selections, scroll down to “People you may know” - these are the profiles that meet your criteria… ironically, you probably won’t know these people

From here, it’s time to start digging. Feel free to turn on Netflix for company.

Before you start feeling weird about this process, remember that anything you can see has been specifically selected by the person to be public information on LinkedIn.

You’re not a creeper, you’re doing research. There are dozens of people who have browsed your profile before and you probably haven’t thought much of it - the same principle applies here.

• Step 6: Do a quick scan of profiles that pop up and look for headlines/job titles (below the name) that may be of interest; open those profiles in new tabs

• Step 7: Scroll down to the Education section first to see if they’re an alum of the program you are considering

Note: Older alumni may have a similar - but different - degree name due to changes over time. Example from my alma mater: The Master of Labor and Human Resources degree changed to Master of Human Resource Management.

• Step 8: Check out the person’s career trajectory in the Experience section

Do you see any job titles or companies of interest? Take a mental note if you’re seeing multiple profiles from one program whose career paths excite you.

• BONUS Step: If you see any recent graduates (less than 5 years), you might save their name to mention in an interview process as an alum who impressed you.

The benefit of this? It shows the admissions committee that you have done super diligent research - the type of skill that will serve you well as a graduate student. 😉

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Fun fact.

January was named after the Greek god Janus (not an ex-best friend of Regina George).

Janus is usually shown with two faces, representing the ability to look to the past and see into the future.

This month might involve channeling your inner Janus and exploring whether going back to graduate school makes the most sense for your future goals.

You’ll know when it’s time - and I’m happy to help you figure that out, too.

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January contest.

We have a winner! (drumroll please 🥁)

Congratulations go to Mia!

We’ll meet soon for a Graduate School Strategy Session to discuss her interests, options, ideal education timeline and start making a game plan for what makes sense for her career goals.

Excited to work with you, Mia!

For those in colder climates, sending you warm wishes when temps drop next week!

Dr. Jena

P.S. I searched YouTube for a program-specific LinkedIn alumni search process to no avail. Hit reply and let me know if I should consider recording how-to videos for the graduate school application process!

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