Creating Your Digital Network

Don’t Roll Your Eyes: Why LinkedIn Actually Matters as a Summer Associate

I get it. LinkedIn doesn’t always feel like it’s for you. It’s full of overly earnest posts and humblebrags. But hear me out: this summer is the perfect time to become a power user (or more powerful user) of the platform. Don’t do this in a performative, #blessed way, but in a strategic, sustainable one. If you play it right, LinkedIn can be your digital rolodex (if you don’t know what that is read this), your asynchronous mentorship platform, and your career serendipity engine.

Start by getting the basics right. Make sure your profile is up to date with your summer role and includes a professional-looking photo (it doesn’t have to be a formal headshot), a short, clear summary of your interests, and your past experiences. Then: connect. Add your fellow summers, associates you meet, trainers your firm brings in, and yes—even the professors and mentors from back home. These are people you may want to reconnect with down the line. You won’t know who in advance is the person you’ll benefit from connecting with, so just start connecting.

You don’t have to post right away (or ever), but do start lurking with purpose. Follow people at your firm, in your practice area of interest, and at the intersection of law and what excites you.¹ Like posts. Leave comments. These micro-interactions help you join conversations you wouldn’t otherwise be in—and if you’re comfortable posting, go for it. Share takeaways from a public panel you attended, link to a great article you read, or reflect on a skill you’re building (without revealing confidential details, obviously).

Why bother with all of this? Because careers are built through relationships, and relationships form through shared moments including digital ones. Building your LinkedIn presence isn’t about going viral. It’s about showing up, steadily, and expanding your surface area for opportunity.

Ultimately, as a summer associate, your LinkedIn profile isn’t just a digital resume, it’s a dynamic platform to showcase your evolving legal journey, connect with professionals, and lay the groundwork for your future career. That is because as I have talked about before your network (or as I prefer saying your professional community) is the lifeblood of your legal career.

In a sense, your LinkedIn serves as a bridge between your current experiences and future opportunities. By using the platform wisely you can set yourself up for present and future success.

Keep standing out,

Jonah

1. LinkedIn has a weird distinction between “connecting” and “following.” I tend to treat them similarly. The big difference is that some people only connect with people they know or know well whereas a “follow” just means that you can see what that person posts. You should always feel comfortable hitting “Connect” after you “Follow.”