The Networking Missing “Link”

Six thousand, six hundred and fifty-seven.

That’s the number of connections currently displaying on Siena Heights University’s Linked In university page.

Don’t know what Linked In is yet?

According to Wikipedia (if you don’t know what Wikipedia is, I may have lost you), Linked In is a “business-oriented social networking service. Founded in December 2002 and launched on May 5, 2003, it is mainly used for professional networking. As of June 2013, LinkedIn reports more than 259 million acquired users in more than 200 countries and territories.”

In other words, there are 6,657 people who claim a Siena Heights connection. That’s a pretty impressive network.

In fact, it’s so impressive that I used it to research some of the subjects who appear in this issue of Reflections. Our Linked In university page displays our connections in a career-related fashion. There are main category breakdowns such as people employed in health care, higher education and marketing. There is even a listing by company or organization, if you want to dig that deep.

As someone who relies on information for much of my work, I found it fascinating. Almost addicting.

My office has developed several social media channels over the past few years. We have strong presences on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and the like. But for me, Linked In has the most potential for not only the University, but also for its students and graduates. I believe it is just scratching the surface of its potential uses.

Obviously, it’s already a ready-made alumni career network. Want to hire a Siena Heights student or graduate? Post your job opening on there. Have an internship opportunity? We’d love to tell our students about it. Looking for a new job or career? Someone out there might be willing to help.

However, it has also has the potential of being a searchable virtual alumni directory. Want to connect with a classmate? Feel free to browse around. The nice thing about Linked In is people can control the information in their profile. In other words, they can show only the information they want, and can display more once they “connect” with someone they know and trust.

Linked In also has the ability to reach beyond those Siena Heights connections, making for almost limitless networking possibilities.

Ironically, while learning about the uses of Linked In, I came across a college friend who is now a Linked In marketing executive. I hadn’t talked with him for more than 25 years, yet I was able to quickly “connect” with him. He offered a few more tips and pointers about how to maximize our university page.

As someone who is tasked to find ways to engage students, alumni and friends and spread the message about Siena Heights University, consider the Linked In university page your “tip of the day.”

Check out www.sienaheights.edu/linkedin and start connecting!

Doug Goodnough
Editor