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STUDENT WORKBOOK

From Overwhelmed to Connected - A college course designed to link YOU to your professional network on LinkedIn™

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WELCOME

Here at The New College Perspective we love what we do! We created LinkU Launchpad to help college students find success on LinkedIn! Each video, lesson and quiz was created with you in mind!

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Questions: hello@thenewcollegemindset.com

ABOUT US

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DAY 1- Welcome To LinkU Launchpad

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VS

LinkedIn

Instagram/Facebook/ TikTok, etc

Connect with people to build your network.

Connect with people that you know

Strict on who you accept

Connect with people that are experts in the field that you want to get into.

You do not need to know the people that you want to connect with.

Never needed to work with them in the past

Connect with people that you want to learn from.

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Notes/ Reflection

What did you learn today?

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DAY 2- Building Your LinkedIn Profile

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AI Prompt to use: “I am interested in (helping people) [what you want to do] and am currently studying [Your Major]. What entry-level job titles would you suggest that I could get right out of college?”

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Prompt to use with Chat GPT or Gemini: “I would like to apply for these types of jobs. What keywords should I include so that my LinkedIn profile is selected during a Boolean search by recruiters? Separate the keywords by Soft Skills, Hard Skills and Tech Skills.”

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AI prompt: “Based on the information discussed in this session, please rank order the top keywords since I am trying to land a job as a ________. Make sure to include tech skills and hard skills.”

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Job Title | Keyword | Keyword | Keyword |

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Job Title | Keyword | Keyword | Keyword |Achievement | Achievement | Achievement |

AI Prompt: “This is my LinkedIn headline – can you create a value proposition statement under LinkedIn’s character limit?”

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Job Title | Keyword | Keyword | Keyword |Achievement | Achievement | Achievement | Value Proposition

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Notes/ Reflection

What did you learn today?

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DAY 3- Build & Engage On LinkedIn With Confidence

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Prompt:

Create a LinkedIn “About” section in the 1^st person that includes:

• “Who I am now: [ Insert your answer]”
• “My passions and skills: [Insert your answer]”
• “My experience: [Insert your answer]”

Use bullet points if helpful. Keep it professional but let my personality come through. Include these keywords: [ insert keywords].

Highlight leadership, experience, key projects, and any relevant data or metrics.

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Here is an AI prompt to assist: “I am an environmental engineering student over the summer I (insert what you did try to use data). Can you draft using the XYZ method OR STAR method some sample language. Make sure to also use bullets.”

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Email template: Greetings [name], My name is [name] and I am a student in your [class name]. I am currently building my LinkedIn profile. Would you be willing to endorse me on LinkedIn for [skill], [skill] and write a short recommendation about [specific experience]? Here is a sample of the proposed recommendation language below. Feel feel to edit as necessary. Thank you.

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Sample Recommendation Language: Example Linkedin Recommendation request: “Possible text (please add or take away as needed.) "I had the pleasure of working with [Student Name] in my [Course Name] class, where they demonstrated exceptional leadership and communication skills during our Environmental Clean-Up Day project. As the self-appointed class leader, [Student Name] successfully coordinated our team of students, developing comprehensive action plans while fostering an inclusive environment where every member felt valued and motivated. Their outstanding communication abilities were evident in how they facilitated productive meetings, clearly articulated project goals, and adapted strategies in real-time when challenges arose. What impressed me most was their collaborative approach—actively listening to diverse perspectives, incorporating feedback, and recognizing individual contributions, which resulted in exceeding our initial environmental impact objectives. [Student Name]'s combination of analytical thinking, leadership capabilities, and genuine passion for environmental sustainability makes them an ideal candidate for environmental engineering roles.”

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Notes/ Reflection

What did you learn today?

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DAY 4- Unlocking Career Opportunities

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VS

LinkedIn

Instagram/Facebook/ TikTok, etc

Connect with people to build your network.

Connect with people that you know

Strict on who you accept

Connect with people that are experts in the field that you want to get into.

You do not need to know the people that you want to connect with.

Never needed to work with them in the past

Connect with people that you want to learn from.

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Excited to share a fantastic resource I recently discovered!

I came across this article on [Article Topic/Title] from [Source/Publication], and it really resonated with me. [Link to Article]

What struck me most was [Specific Insight or Takeaway]. In my own experience with [Related Project/Experience], I've found that [Your Personal Connection/Application].

This article provides a valuable framework for [Benefit/Application], and I believe it could be incredibly helpful for anyone working in [Your Field/Industry].

Have you encountered similar resources? I'd love to hear about them in the comments!

#ResourceSharing #Learning #IndustryInsights #[RelevantHashtag]

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• Can you tell me about your career path and how you got to your current position?
• What does a typical day or week look like in your role?
• What do you enjoy most and least about your job?
• What skills, experiences, or education do you think are most important for success in your field?
• What advice would you give to a college student interested in entering this industry?

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1. Connecting with Alumni (or someone in your field)

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Hi [Name],

I'm currently a [your major] student at [your school], and I came across your profile while exploring career paths in [industry]. I’d love to connect and learn a bit about your journey, if you're open to it!

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2. Asking for an Informational Interview

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Hi [Name],

I really admire your work at [Company Name], especially your role in [specific project/area]. As someone hoping to grow in this field, I’d be grateful for 15 minutes of your time to ask a few questions about your path and any advice you might have for a student like me.

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3. Following Up After a Networking Event

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Hi [Name],

It was great meeting you at [event name]! I really enjoyed our chat about [something specific]. I’d love to stay in touch and learn more about your work at [Company Name]—especially how you got started.

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4. Reaching Out to a Recruiter

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Hi [Name],

I’m a [year] student studying [major] and recently came across [Company Name]. I’m really interested in [specific internship/job role] and would love to hear if there are any upcoming opportunities for students like me. Thanks for your time!

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5. Reaching Out After Seeing Their Post

Hi [Name],

I just saw your post on [topic] and really appreciated your perspective, especially the part about [specific detail]. As a student trying to break into this space, I’d love to learn more about how you approach [topic].

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6. Asking for a Referral (after building rapport)

Hi [Name],

I’ve really appreciated our conversations and your insight into [Company]. I just saw a posting for [job/internship title] and was wondering if you’d feel comfortable referring me, or sharing advice on how to stand out in the application process.

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7. Connecting with a Guest Speaker or Panelist

Hi [Name],

I attended your session at [event/class/panel], and really appreciated your thoughts on [specific point]. It gave me a lot to think about as a student interested in [topic]. Would love to connect and follow your work!

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CONNECT

MESSAGE

POST

SHARE/ RE-SHARE

[] Purpose: Share/ ReShare

[] Interact: Read Feed, Groups, Notifications

[] Learn: Ask yourself what have I learned?

[] Output: Share or Re Share something

[] Takeaway: Did you find anything useful for your job or internship goals?

COMMENT

[] Purpose: Comment

[] Interact: Read Feed, Groups, Notifications

[] Learn: Ask yourself what have I learned?

[] Output: Make 2 comments (SPARK method)

[] Takeaway: Did you find anything useful for your job or internship goals?

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[] Purpose: Post

[] Interact: Read Feed, Groups, Notifications

[] Learn: Ask yourself what have I learned?

[] Output: Make 1 Post (GROW Method)

[] Takeaway: Did you find anything useful for your job or internship goals?

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[] Purpose: Connect

[] Interact: Read Feed, Groups, Notifications

[] Learn: Ask yourself what have I learned?

[] Output: Connect with 2-4 people

[] Takeaway: Did you find anything useful for your job or internship goals?

[] Purpose: Message

[] Interact: Read Feed, Groups, Notifications

[] Learn: Ask yourself what have I learned?

[] Output: Send one message to a contact

[] Takeaway: Did you find anything useful for your job or internship goals?

Select One Purpose For Each 20 Minute LinkedIn Session

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The LinkedIn PILOT METHOD

*Recommend you are on the platform 2-3 days a week. Review your Career Goals.

[] Monday [] Tuesday [] Wednesday [] Thursday [] Friday

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SPARK METHOD- COMMENT EASILY ON LINKEDIN

[] Share: Data, discoveries, perspectives, or resources

[] Propose: Offer thoughtful solutions to problems discussed

[] Ask: Pose meaningful questions

[] Relate: Make introductions @ or connect ideas to your experiences

[] Kindness: Offer genuine compliments and supportive feedback

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GROW METHOD- POST EASILY ON LINKEDIN

[] Gems: Share readings and helpful insights from your field, recent assignments or team projects.

[] Recap: Updates on accomplishments and takeaways from career-activities (conferences, events, guest speakers etc.) *photos

[] Outreach: Ask network for help or seek their insights

[] Wisdom: Share motivational content and encouragement

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LINKEDIN CAREER & LEARNING GOALS

1. Write 2-3 job titles you hope to get by graduation?
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2. Topics you hope to learn while on Linkedin that are related to your field? You can list additional topics not related to your field.
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3. Write down your dream job.
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DAY 5- Confidently Use LinkedIn As A College Student

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Click Here For The Link

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(write here)

(write here)

(write here)

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(write here)

(write here)

(write here)

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Hi [Alumni Name],

I hope this message finds you well. My name is [Your Name], and I'm currently a [Year] student at [University] studying [Your Major].

While browsing LinkedIn, I noticed you're a fellow [University] graduate now working at [Company Name].

I'm very interested in pursuing a career in [industry/role] after graduation, and I'd love to learn more about your experience at [Company Name].

Would you be willing to connect for a brief 15-20 minute informational interview? I'm particularly curious about your career path since graduating and any insights you might have about working in this field. Thank you for considering my request. I understand you're busy, so I appreciate any time you can spare.

Best regards,

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• Can you tell me about your career path and how you got to your current position?
• What does a typical day or week look like in your role?
• What do you enjoy most and least about your job?
• What skills, experiences, or education do you think are most important for success in your field?
• What advice would you give to a college student interested in entering this industry?

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Hi I’m (name),

I’m a (environmental engineer -insert role) and I recently saw that you posted a role (insert job title) and (url or job number). I’m super passionate about working at (insert company) and wanted to reach out to flag my application and wanted to connect if there is any interest in my profile.

Best,

Name

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Hi [Name],

I hope this message finds you well! I'm a college student at [Your University] currently searching for job opportunities as I [prepare to graduate/look for summer work/etc.].

I've heard that LinkedIn Premium can be a game-changer for job seekers, allowing for direct messaging to recruiters, seeing who's viewed my profile, and accessing detailed salary insights. I understand LinkedIn offers a referral program where members can share a code for two free months of Premium.

If you happen to have a referral code available, I would greatly appreciate it! I plan to use this time to optimize my profile, connect with industry professionals, and apply for positions in [your field]. Having Premium access would really help me make the most of my job search during this critical time.

Thank you for considering, and I completely understand if you're unable to share a code. Either way, I appreciate your time!

Best regards,

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Hi [Alumni Name],

I hope this message finds you well. My name is [Your Name], and I'm currently a [Year] student at [University] studying [Your Major].

While browsing LinkedIn, I noticed you're a fellow [University] graduate now working at [Company Name].

I'm very interested in pursuing a career in [industry/role] after graduation, and I'd love to learn more about your experience at [Company Name].

Would you be willing to connect for a brief 15-20 minute informational interview? I'm particularly curious about your career path since graduating and any insights you might have about working in this field. Thank you for considering my request. I understand you're busy, so I appreciate any time you can spare.

Best regards,

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• Can you tell me about your career path and how you got to your current position?
• What does a typical day or week look like in your role?
• What do you enjoy most and least about your job?
• What skills, experiences, or education do you think are most important for success in your field?
• What advice would you give to a college student interested in entering this industry?

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📢 INTERNSHIP SEARCH ALERT 📢

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I'm actively seeking a [FIELD] internship opportunity where I can apply my skills in [X SPECIFIC SKILLS]!

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As a [YEAR] student at [UNIVERSITY] majoring in [MAJOR], I'm passionate about [SPECIFIC AREA OF INTEREST] and eager to gain hands-on experience in [SPECIFIC TYPE OF WORK].

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My background includes:

• [RELEVANT COURSEWORK/PROJECT]

• [RELEVANT SKILL/EXPERIENCE]

• [RELEVANT SKILL/EXPERIENCE]

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I’d love to connect with professionals in the [FIELD] industry to learn more about potential opportunities and gather insights about working in this space.

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If you or someone in your network is open to a quick chat, I would greatly appreciate the chance to learn from your experience!

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#OpenToWork #[FIELD]Internship #[UNIVERSITY] #[RELEVANT HASHTAGS]

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BONUS

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STUDENT WORKBOOK

From Overwhelmed to Connected - A college course designed to link YOU to your professional network on LinkedIn™