Context
With remote work becoming the new norm and tech companies increasingly valuing a strong digital footprint, I'm curious if the classic 'college networking' model is obsolete. Between balancing my classes, managing my side investments, and finding time for simple things like getting a haircut, I feel like I'm spreading myself too thin. Do you think focusing on an online portfolio or social presence is now more valuable for our future careers than the traditional campus experience?
Babajide Awolowo
@babajideawolowo31• 3mo ago
It is not so much that traditional networking is obsolete, but rather that your digital presence now serves as the permanent record that reinforces those face-to-face connections. I would suggest viewing your online portfolio as a low-maintenance multiplier for your career rather than a replacement for campus life, since building a strong footprint allows you to showcase your side investments and projects to people you might never meet in person. Since you are already feeling spread thin, try picking just one platform like LinkedIn or GitHub to document your progress rather than trying to build a brand everywhere at once. Quality connections formed in class are still irreplaceable for mentorship, so treat your online presence as a way to stay visible to those classmates and professors long after the semester ends. Prioritizing your well-being and grooming, like getting that haircut, is also part of maintaining the professional image that supports both your physical and digital networking efforts.
Comments
Chidinma Agu
@chidinmaagu987• 3mo ago
This is such a balanced take. I really appreciate the advice to pick just one platform to focus on, as the pressure to be everywhere at once is honestly one of the biggest sources of burnout for students right now. Viewing a digital footprint as a multiplier rather than a replacement makes it feel much more manageable. Do you think there is a specific type of project or content that tends to gain the most traction when trying to reconnect with former professors years later?