Don’t Scapegoat Your Fears About Growing Up

Dear 1L, Don’t use LinkedIn as a scapegoat for your fears about growing up.

—Fears about becoming “a boring adult in a business suit.”

—Fears about starting the serious, “career” part of life.

—Fears about being seen (when, of course, you have no idea yet who you are or what you want your career to be).

All those fears are 100% normal, and I do “get” it.

I’ve got three young 20-somethings of my own, and I work with pre-Ls every year.

-It’s scary being this age.
-Everything is new.
-LinkedIn feels like one more “hard” thing you’re “supposed to” do.

But hear me out:

I’ve been watching law students start on LinkedIn since 2021.

In the spring before school starts, I hear:

—“Is LinkedIn ‘necessary’ for a law student?”
—“When do I ‘have to’ set up an account?”

Then in the fall, everyone freaks out.
Job applications are due.

The FIRST place any lawyer will check you out is here.
And if you don’t have a profile?
You don’t exist.
No photo?
You’re a ghost.

THAT, my friend, is the outcome to fear:
The fear of NOT being here.

So don’t scapegoat LinkedIn for the coming-of-age fear.
Recruiting for 2L summer jobs starts NOW.

The right question isn’t, “When do I ‘have to’ do LinkedIn?”
It’s, “When do I ‘get to’ do LinkedIn?”

And the answer?

You get to do LinkedIn TODAY!

So why not say “Hi” in a comment?

I’ll be right here cheering for you, all the way—

💌 Amanda

#Dear1L