Building a Personal Brand While in College

Building a Personal Brand While in College

Building a personal brand. I know, I know, you’re probably thinking, “I’m just trying to survive midterms and not live off ramen forever why do I need a brand?” Trust me, I get it. College is a whirlwind of late-night study sessions, questionable dining hall choices, and figuring out who you even are. But here’s the thing: starting to build your personal brand now can set you up for some seriously cool opportunities down the road whether that’s landing your dream internship, scoring a job after graduation, or just figuring out what makes you, well, you.

So, what’s a personal brand anyway? It’s not about being fake or turning into some polished influencer overnight (unless that’s your vibe, then go for it!). It’s about showing the world what you’re all about your skills, your passions, your quirks in a way that feels real. Think of it like your reputation, but with a little more intention behind it. And the best part? You don’t need to have it all figured out yet. College is the perfect time to experiment and play around with it. Here’s how I’ve been thinking about it and maybe it’ll work for you too.

1. Figure Out What You’re Into (Or At Least Pretend You Do)

First step: get a little introspective. What do you love doing? What are you good at? Maybe you’re the friend who’s always organizing group projects (hi, future project manager!), or maybe you’re obsessed with coding apps in your dorm room. It doesn’t have to be super specific yet like, you don’t need to declare “I’m the blockchain queen” (unless you are, then own it). Just start noticing what lights you up. For me, it was writing and storytelling. I’d always been that kid scribbling ideas in notebooks, and college gave me a chance to lean into that.

Try stuff out. Join clubs, take random electives, volunteer for things. You don’t have to commit forever, but dipping your toes in different pools helps you figure out what sticks. Plus, it’s a great way to meet people who might vibe with the same things you do.

2. Share Your Journey (Even the Messy Parts)

Okay, this one might feel weird at first but hear me out: people love realness. You don’t have to be perfect to start building a brand, you just must be you. Got a blog? Write about that time you bombed a presentation but learned something clutch. On Instagram or TikTok? Post a quick vid about your latest group project win, or even the chaos of pulling an all-nighter. X is great for this to share a quick thought or a link to something you’re working on. I started tweeting about my writing process, and it was wild how many people related to my “staring at a blank page for 3 hours” struggles.

The point is you don’t need a huge following. Start small, share with your friends, your classmates, your profs even. It’s less about going viral and more about showing up consistently as yourself.

3. Network Without Being That Guy

Networking sounds so stiff, right? Like suits and awkward handshakes. But in college, it’s more like making friends who might help you out later (and vice versa). Talk to your professors they are humans, not just grading machines. Hit up career fairs, even if you’re just there for the free pens at first. I met one of my favourite mentors at a random campus event because I asked her about her job over some lukewarm coffee.

Online works too. Slide into LinkedIn (I promise it’s not as cringe as it seems) and connect with people in fields you’re curious about. Comment on their posts, ask a question, just don’t be the person who’s like, “HIRE ME PLEASE.” Build actual relationships. It’s less pressure that way.

4. Build a Little Proof

Your personal brand isn’t just talking its action. Start creating something tangible that shows off what you can do. Working on a cool class project? Save it. Love photography? Throw some shots on a Google Drive or a cheap website. I started a little portfolio of my writing just a Google Doc at first and it felt so good to have something to point to when people asked, “What do you do?”

It doesn’t have to be perfect or professional yet. Even a half-finished podcast idea or a sketch you’re proud of counts. It’s proof you’re doing something, and that’s what people remember.

5. Be Yourself (But Like, Strategically)

Here’s the trick: your personal brand should feel like you on your best day. You don’t have to fake being someone else, but you can play up the parts of yourself that you want to shine. Are you funny? Lean into that. Super organized? Let people know you’re the go-to for keeping things on track. For me, I decided I wanted to be known as someone who’s curious and creative, so I started asking questions in class and sharing weird ideas online. It’s still me, just with a little focus.

Why Bother Now?

I’ll be real college feels like the busiest time to even think about this. But starting now gives you a head start. By the time you’re tossing that grad cap in the air, you’ll already have a vibe going, something that says, “This is who I am, and this is what I bring to the table.” Plus, it’s kind of fun once you get into it. It’s like crafting your own story, one messy, awesome step at a time.

So, what do you think? What’s one thing you’re into that you could start sharing or building on? Let’s figure it out together. I’m still learning too, and I’d love to hear your take!