Best LinkedIn Summary Examples for Students

LinkedIn is one of the leading professional networking services online. If you’re a college or grad student, LinkedIn can help you transition to the professional world. But, how can you make your LinkedIn profile stand out from other candidates with more experience? Students from all areas of study can use this opportunity to focus on an often-overlooked section of a LinkedIn profile: the summary.

Finance Student Summary

In the world of finance, the most important item you need to sell is yourself. Marketing your background and skills on LinkedIn is a great way to start a career in the financial sector.

I am currently a third-year finance major at NYU who hopes to attend the NYU Stern School of Business next year. After interning at JetBlue Airways Corporation over the past two summers, I have shifted my educational focus to financial analysis and real-world business solutions. I excel when working in collaborative groups to solve financial problems.

New York is my favorite place in the world. I am originally from Albany and always loved taking trips down to NYC. I always knew I’d study finance at NYU, the best place to study finance in the country. My five-year plan includes becoming a financial advisor for high-profile clients on Wall Street. My education at NYU has prepared me for a long career helping people manage their money successfully.

Engineering Student on LinkedIn

Students in engineering and other technical programs can especially benefit from a well-written summary. The field of engineering values members who can communicate clearly and market themselves well. Bullets can be an effective way to format a summary in a technical field as well.

I solve problems in creative ways. At Texas A&M, where I am completing my senior year in the College of Engineering, I have learned the importance of applying classical strategies to modern-day projects.

Concentrations in mechanical and electrical engineering provide a broad knowledge of engineering concepts
Participated in several patent procedures with my mechanical engineering team
Experience at Houston Mechatronics as a summer intern taught me how to apply mechanical engineering concepts to automated systems in both defense and oil industries
Passion for innovation, prototyping, and high-quality manufacturing

LinkedIn Summary for Education Student

LinkedIn users who are starting a career in education should focus on any classroom experience they have. Their passion for teaching is a great addition to these summaries.

Ever since I taught my little brother how to tie his shoes, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. There’s nothing like that “light bulb” moment when a child understands something they didn’t know just a few minutes before. I love that.

Between helping my high school teachers after school, volunteering in the Tutor Center at UCLA, and the 15 years of my own education, I’ve spent thousands of hours in the classroom. I especially love working with younger children as they develop important skills.

Now that I am finishing my senior year at UCLA, I am applying to several M.Ed programs to learn more about child development and classroom best practices. I hope to be an elementary teacher who inspires my students and leaves them feeling great about themselves!

Law Student LinkedIn Summary Example

Legal jargon and keywords are helpful for law students creating a LinkedIn profile. Keep your writing readable but specific to your industry.

Future lawyer and lifelong humanitarian. I’m a second-year student at Yale with dreams of attending Yale Law after I graduate. While others may want to handle flashy cases that make the news, I want to help people who haven’t been given their fair chance in society.

My experience in public interest law firms has brought my attention to cases involving employment discrimination and civil rights violations. Last summer, I finished a legal internship at the Connecticut Fair Housing Center, which taught me the importance of advocating for my client against all odds.

I plan to graduate with a double major in political science and psychology. These concentrations have provided invaluable insight into the civil rights, constitutional, and humanitarian crises in today’s world. I hope that my philosophy and skills will lead to a greater sense of social equality.

Example Grad Student Professional Summary

Grad students have the advantage of listing the degree(s) they have already earned in their summaries. It may feel like students in a graduate program are too busy to market themselves, but in reality, this is the best time to make new connections.

I am completing my doctorate in English Literature at Syracuse University. After finishing my Bachelor’s of Arts in English from the University of Kentucky, my love of British literature and poetry brought me to Cambridge for a year before attending Syracuse. Learning from the masters, including Shakespeare, Austen, and Joyce, has infused me with a love of the English language.

This year, my experience as a TA in an Irish literature course has taught me so much about the way different people learn. After I graduate, my dream is to be a professor at one of the great institutions from which I have received my own education.

Summary Example for a Recent Graduate

You’ve graduated from grad school! Now what? Here is an example of a Linkedin summary for those who haven’t landed their post-graduate careers yet.

Recent MBA graduate of Northwestern University. As one of 150 students who received the Connor Fellowship in 2019, I know how important project management skills can be to underperforming businesses. I consider myself a grounded project manager with an entrepreneurial spirit.

My internship experience at larger institutions, including Wyndham Destinations and Cisco Systems, has provided me with business analyst skills that work for companies of any size. A world-class education at both USC and Northwestern has equipped me with the ins and outs of business ethics and philosophies.

I am looking for opportunities in small businesses that could be more successful with efficient management. With the right resources and team members, I can bring struggling companies back from the brink.

College Student With No Experience

You don’t need prestigious internships to get a reader’s attention. Read an example of a LinkedIn summary by a student without experience in their field.

Second-year art student, future graphic designer. My passion for graphic arts brought me to the School of Fine Arts at Boston University, where I am working on my BFA in Graphic Design. Last semester I completed the Foundation program, which covers drawing, sculpture, painting, and printmaking.

The most valuable lesson I have learned from BU has been the importance of drawing before moving into different artforms. Even though I knew I wanted to be a graphic designer, I have enjoyed getting back to basics with sketches and lightboxes. My class in Marketing Strategies has provided me with great insights for a future career in graphic design.

This year I have mastered Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and HTML. I continue to build skills in UI/UX. Next year, I hope to complete a studio internship that will provide real-life experience and important technological skills.

Tips for Writing LinkedIn Summaries

A LinkedIn summary, or “About” section, is the third item readers will see after your picture and name. Unlike a Twitter bio, which provides only 160 characters, LinkedIn summaries allow you to describe yourself using up to 2,000 characters (around 150 to 350 words, including spaces). Here are some tips for students to write effective LinkedIn summaries.

Make your first sentence pop. Employers are busy people. A great first sentence can hook even the most time-pressed hiring manager to read more.
Use industry-specific keywords. LinkedIn ranks your profile based on search terms, so having the right keywords in your summary can get you closer to the top. Don’t overdo it, though!
Write in a first-person perspective. While professional bios are written in third-person, LinkedIn summaries are an opportunity for readers to learn more about you and your voice.
Explain what you do now in the simplest way possible. Even if you’re still an undergrad, your experiences are worth writing about. Let potential employers know why only you can do what you do.
Break up your paragraphs. No one wants to read a wall of text. Limit paragraphs to two or three sentences each.
Include information about your non-work life. List hobbies, interests, pets, family, and so on. The rest of your LinkedIn profile is informational, so let the summary show that you’re a real person.
Don’t use the word “unemployed.” You’re not unemployed; you’re a future lawyer/teacher/astronaut. Focus on the future.
Add media. LinkedIn lets you add files, images, videos, articles, or even your résumé, transforming your summary into an excellent professional portfolio.

Remember: Just because you can use up to 2,000 characters doesn’t mean you need to use all of them. A clear, concise summary can be just as effective as a longer one.

Additional Employment Resources

For more ways to promote yourself to potential employers, read our article on writing resumes (as well as common resume mistakes). You can also review examples of high-quality cover letters that are sure to stand out from your fellow candidates. Remember – you are the perfect fit for the right job!