Online Perspective via LinkedIn: Discussion on Adolescents, Digital Employment, and Achieving Prosperity
In the bustling city of New York, high school students at Bronx Science are navigating the digital landscape, with LinkedIn playing a significant role in their journey towards career readiness and professional identity formation.
Ritvik Ramakrishnan, founder of Kalvi Prep and a student at the Georgia Institute of Technology, recently pointed out that LinkedIn tends to showcase the destination, often overlooking the arduous journey that led to the achievements. This sentiment echoes the experiences of many Bronx Science students, who find themselves juggling an impressive array of extracurricular activities, from nonprofit work and writing submissions to social justice advocacy, summer internships, and board positions.
However, this relentless pursuit of achievements can lead to exhaustion and burnout. Aviva Kagan '26, for instance, expressed feelings of overwhelm and stress due to the competition among students in terms of the number and impact of their extracurricular activities. Marissa Talushllari '25, too, admitted to feeling unsure if she does enough, citing competitive college admissions as a concern.
The discourse among Bronx Science students revolves around what constitutes doing "enough" work. Suggestions range from having multiple activities inside and outside of school to filling up 90% of leisure time without compromising school work. This intense focus on prestige can exacerbate insecurities, causing students to compare themselves to others and feel pressure to be perfect.
Despite these challenges, LinkedIn offers numerous benefits to young adults, including high school students. It serves as a source of recognition, with positive reactions available, and provides early access to career opportunities, professional networking, and a platform to showcase achievements. This can boost their self-perception as emerging professionals.
LinkedIn's high number of users between ages 18 and 24, with a rapidly growing young adult participation, attests to its appeal among this demographic. The platform allows users to build a professional digital presence and connect with mentors, employers, and peers in their fields of interest.
Moreover, mentors at major organizations are more approachable on LinkedIn, making it easier for young adults to seek advice and guidance. LinkedIn also offers a level playing field for networking and searching for opportunities, providing access to students who might otherwise be overlooked.
However, it's important to note that LinkedIn is not without its drawbacks. The lack of anonymity can reduce creepy DMs and predatory behavior, but it also means that every action and achievement is visible to others, potentially leading to social comparison and self-image management issues.
In light of these observations, it's crucial for young users to remember that success is not a zero-sum game. It's important to celebrate each other's accomplishments on platforms like LinkedIn, recognising that everyone's journey is unique.
As the second semester of senior year approaches, the author, a student at Bronx Science, reflects on their excessive workload during high school and realises that they did not need to do so much. They have since reduced their activities and finished with the application process, and are now teaching younger friends about cover letters and business casual attire.
In conclusion, LinkedIn plays a significant role in the lives of high school students, offering benefits such as career opportunities, professional networking, and a platform to showcase achievements. However, it also presents challenges related to social comparison and self-image management. It's essential for students to navigate this digital landscape wisely, remembering that success is not defined by the number of activities or the prestige of the school, but by what one does with that degree and the personal brand one creates beyond their LinkedIn profile.
- Ritvik Ramakrishnan, a student at the Georgia Institute of Technology, mentioned that LinkedIn tends to highlight accomplishments rather than the challenging journey leading to those achievements.
- In addition to various extracurricular activities such as writing submissions, social justice advocacy, and internships, Bronx Science students use LinkedIn as a tool for career readiness and professional identity formation.
- The competitive nature of college admissions and the pressure to excel in multiple activities can lead to stress and burnout among Bronx Science students, as expressed by Aviva Kagan '26 and Marissa Talushllari '25.
- Learning from their own experiences, an author, also a student at Bronx Science, is now sharing insights about cover letters, business casual attire, and other career development tips with younger friends.
- Instead of feeling overwhelmed by the competition and the need to fit in on social media platforms like LinkedIn, it's crucial for young users to understand that success is a personal journey and everyone's path is unique.
