Building a Personal Brand

Your university years can be hectic; juggling coursework, family, society roles, and the occasional last minute essay panic.

You might hear people talk about “LinkedIn” and “personal branding.” But it all sounds distant. Like something people in corporate jobs worried about- not someone like you.

However the truth is that the first place people will search for you professionally is LinkedIn. If you don’t tell your story, someone else will, or worse, no one will.

But first, a crucial point:

“Am I Showing Off?” – Navigating Intentions

As Muslims, we're taught to do things sincerely- not for praise, likes, or recognition. So when it comes to platforms like LinkedIn and building a personal brand, it's natural to ask:

Is posting about my achievements spiritually damaging self-promotion?

Am I compromising sincerity by taking credit for work and achievements online?

Am I at risk of evil eye by having my accolades publicly available?

These are valid questions. And the answer isn’t black and white. It’s about reframing your perspective.

Here’s a Balanced Way to Think About It:

Practical Reminders to Stay Grounded

• Renew your intention before posting: Remind that you are sharing this to help others, connect meaningfully, and open doors for a halal income for yourself, not to impress.

• Stay humble in your tone:Use language such as “I’m grateful for this opportunity” or “I learned a lot from this experience”

• Stay spiritually protected:Recite daily adhkar (remembrances), especially Surah Al-Falaq, Surah An-Naas, and Ayat Al-Kursi to protect yourself from evil eye and remember to say “MashaAllah TabarakAllah” when viewing other peoples achievements.

• Acknowledge your support systems and be generous with credit.Mention mentors, teams, or blessings that helped you succeed and most importantly Allah SWT.

Top Tip: Use Accessible Language for Wider Impact

As Muslims, we often use phrases like Alhamdulillah or InshaAllah in our everyday speech, and naturally, they may appear in our posts too. But not everyone reading will understand their meaning. By simply including a short translation, you not only make your message more accessible - you also open a subtle and powerful door todawah(inviting others to understand Islam). Your words might be the first time someone sees how faith and gratitude shape a Muslim’s worldview.Here’s how to do it naturally:“Alhamdulillah (All praise is due to God), I’ve accepted a graduate role in sustainability…” “Looking forward to the new year, InshaAllah (God willing).” It takes just a moment but your small effort could leave a lasting impact.

Always remember:

You are allowed to show up.

If your intention is to grow, uplift others, and represent your community with dignity - that can be an act of ibadah (worship) and dawah (inviting others to Islam).

Why LinkedIn Matters (Yes, Even as a Student)

With 900M+ users worldwide, LinkedIn is where:

• Careers can begin, grow, and pivot

• You shape your professional identity

• You find people who understand your goals and your values

Whether you want to...

• Work at a top firm

• Break into data, design, or marketing

• Build a business

• Or explore purpose-driven careers

LinkedIn helps you show the world who you are.

For Muslim students, it’s not just about listing your grades, it's about telling your story, showcasing your values, and building connections who understand where you’re coming from and where you’re going.

The Benefits

• Your profile = your personal brand: Your profile is more than a digital CV. It’s where you show not just what you’ve done, but who you are, what you believe in, and where you want to go.

• Meaningful Networking: Finding a mentor who understands both your career goals, your values and your barriers is made possible through LinkedIn

• Opportunities Can Find*You*: It’s not an exaggeration. A well written profile means recruiters may actually come to you, without you even applying.

• Jobs, Internships, & Opportunities: LinkedIn is a job board, a research tool, and an opportunity finder all in one.

Profile Checklist

If you are feeling overwhelmed start with this simple recipe

1⃣ Profile Picture

Your photo is the first thing people see. Keep it simple: clear, bright, and modestly professional. Try to avoid mirror selfies and group photos.

2⃣ Banner Image

Think of this as your digital billboard. Use a clean design and clear text such as:

"Aaliyah | Future Sustainability Consultant | Passionate About Climate Justice".

Here are some templates to get started: Canva LinkedIn Banner Templates

3⃣ Headline

Avoid just writing: "Student".

Use this space to express your interests and direction, perhaps highlighting past impressive experiences.

For example:

“Computer Science Student | Ex-Netflix SWE Intern | Interested in Ethical AI & Tech for Good”

“Politics & IR Graduate | Passionate About Social Justice & Community Organising”

4⃣ Summary (About Section)

Your “why,” in your own words.

Include:

• What you're studying

• What drives you

• Projects, roles, or experiences that shaped you

• What you care about

Keep it warm, honest, and purposeful.

For example:

I am a final year Environmental Science student at the University of Birmingham, with a strong academic foundation and a growing portfolio of experience in sustainability, leadership, and community engagement.

My interests lie at the intersection of environmental policy, ethical leadership, and social impact. I have led several initiatives both on campus and within my local community, including coordinating an eco-awareness campaign through the Islamic Society and facilitating workshops for youth focused on environmental responsibility.

5⃣ Experience & Education

You don’t need a fancy internship. You can include (continuing on the previous example):

• Volunteering at your local mosque

• Part time tutoring job

• Leading the Islamic Society’s eco-project

• A virtual internship

• Platforms like **The Forage**,**Coursera**,**Udemy**and**LinkedIn Learning**(your university may offer this for free),**SpringPod**offer excellent free courses with certificates you can upload to the ‘certificates’ section.

Tip: Focus on what you learned and measurably achieved, not just what your role was.

Growing Your Network (Without It Feeling Awkward)

Start by connecting with:

• Course mates

• Teachers

• Family

• People you met at events

Then branch out, send messages to people you admire if you have specific question. You would be surprised by the number of people reply. Remember that you miss all the shots you don’t take.

Sharing Your Voice (This is what Makes you Stand Out)

Don’t just post when you secure internships. You can share:

• Reflections on your industry, perhaps from a faith driven lens

• Thoughts from articles you read

• Lessons from volunteering

• Repost content you found engaging and why

This not only makes your profile engaging, but it also attracts the right people. Mentors, recruiters, and fellow Muslims in your field.

Quick Tips on Sharing Content

• Comment on content you find interesting
• Share your opinions politely and thoughtfully
• Write short articles if you enjoy writing
• Always stay respectful. You are representing yourself, your community, and your values
• Use hashtags to increase visibility (#STEM, #Marketing, #MuslimProfessionals etc.)

LinkedIn is not just for professionals. It's for you, the student, the soon to be graduate, the one who has something valuable to offer. You don’t need to wait until you’ve “made it.” You just need to start.