From Lab Reports to LinkedIn

Real talk: I hated LinkedIn when I was in college. It felt fake—like everyone was vying for the Oscar for “Best Professional Commenter.”

But now? I’m a convert. Over the years, LinkedIn has become the best platform for finding jobs, building your network, and learning from others in your field. And unlike X or Facebook, the vibe is positive and professional.

As a physical sciences student, chances are you’ve spent more time refining your CV than thinking about your LinkedIn profile. But whether you’re applying for REUs, internships, grad school, or your first job, LinkedIn is a powerful tool to showcase your evolving professional identity.

Think of LinkedIn as your digital handshake. It’s often the first place that potential employers, mentors, and colleagues will look when they hear your name. A strong profile doesn’t mean pretending to be someone you’re not—it means clearly showing who you are and what you’re working toward. If you’re skeptical, I get it. But LinkedIn could land you your next career opportunity. Here’s how to make it work for you.

Step 1: Fill Out Your Profile Like a Pro
A nearly blank LinkedIn profile sends the message that you’re not engaged or interested in connecting with others. On the flip side, a thoughtful and complete profile instantly builds trust, since it gives recruiters a window into your professional experience.

Headline: Skip the generic “Physics Student.”
Try something like: Aspiring Astrophysicist | Undergraduate Researcher | SPS Member at XYZ University.

Photo: You don’t need to pay for a professional headshot, but do use a well-lit, friendly photo where your face is clearly visible—ideally without a Zoom background or lab clutter.

About section: This is your elevator pitch! Share why you love the physical sciences, the kinds of problems you’re excited to solve, and where you hope your career might take you. Keep it short, clear, and genuine.

Resume and links: Add your resume and connect to any personal websites, citations, or portfolios.

ID verification: New LinkedIn tools allow you to verify your identity and workplace or school, which is an extra boost for your credibility. So now you’ve got a profile that presents you as a rising science communicator, or maybe even a future Nobel Prize winner. What’s next?

Step 2: Build Your Network—Yes, Even as a Student

Connections bring your LinkedIn profile to life. Start with your classmates, lab partners, professors, and fellow SPS members. You don’t need to be best friends with someone to connect. If you’ve been in the same research group, class, or attended a talk together, invite that person to join your network.

Join professional groups: There are student groups for physics, astronomy, and STEM careers, and even individual SPS chapters and Sigma Pi Sigma. They’re great places to find opportunities and advice.

Endorse skills: Want to show you’ve got MATLAB skills or know your way around a telescope? Ask someone you’ve worked with to endorse your skills, and offer to endorse theirs too.

Request recommendations: A short endorsement from a professor, mentor, or internship supervisor can help contextualize your work and ethic. Your profile’s complete. You’ve built a solid network of scientists, educators, and students. Now it’s time to bring it all together with the secret ingredient: your insights.

Step 3: Engage Thoughtfully—Not Robotically

Let’s be honest: LinkedIn can feel a bit like a class discussion board, with people writing overly polished takes on every article, certificate, and workshop. It’s easy to fall into the trap of sounding overly generic or detached in your comments and posts. But here’s the thing: your authentic voice matters online.

Don’t post just to check a box. Post because you’ve learned something cool, had an experience worth sharing, or have a perspective that could help others. Comment when you have something to add, not just to agree. The goal isn’t to go viral—it’s to be visible and authentic.

Here are a few ways to show up meaningfully:

• Share what you took away from a conference, class, workshop, or internship.
• Highlight your SPS chapter’s outreach event or a research win.
• Reshare articles about space missions or physics breakthroughs with your perspective.
• Comment on someone’s post with support, a thoughtful question, a link to a resource, or your own brief insight.

Final Thought: Be Curious, Be You

The most effective LinkedIn profiles don’t try to sound like a finished product—they reflect a student who’s learning, engaged, and open to new opportunities. Don’t worry if your experience feels limited. Focus on being authentic and curious, and the rest will follow.

As an SPS member, you already know how to ask good questions and solve tough problems. LinkedIn is just another tool to help you explore and connect. So, log in, update your profile, and let the world see what you’re working on!

Even if you hated LinkedIn at first (like I did), you might just find that it’s one of the most useful spaces for building your future in the physical sciences. //