What exactly is LinkedIn? It is the Facebook of the professional world. Your profile is your resume; your connections are your friends; your skills are your likes. The difference? While Facebook and Instagram can boost your ego by getting over 300 likes on your new candid pic, LinkedIn can land you a fashion internship.

The social platform supercharged the simple joy of adding a new “job” to my Facebook profile. I could add my new internship, my old fashion internship in NYC, get recommended by my old bosses, list my articles, be endorsed for my skills, and more. It is an intern’s dream.

The ability to connect with anyone and everyone, contingent on their acceptance, is electrifying.  Not only can you connect with fashion industry professionals, but you can message them. I know! The days of being at a loss for an email address are over! Just don’t message Anna Wintour fan mail…

On the other end, LinkedIn is a way to get recruited for internships. That’s right – recruited. Just like professionals are accessible to you, you are accessible to employers. LinkedIn gives them the ability to not only “hear of you,” but contact you. It’s a win, win.

If they don’t find you, don’t sweat; it’s rare. It’s all about the ability to get your professional awesomeness out on the World Wide Web. But, you can see who viewed your profile. Take that, Facebook!

Besides all the fun and games, LinkedIn is a phenomenal professional tool that is essential for every intern striving to hustle their way into the forefront of their desired industry. If you don’t already have one, make one. Today. Take advantage of your time off during winter break!

It won’t take long if you already have your resume perfected. If you don’t, check out our on-demand course that will provide you all the guidance you need to craft an outstanding resume.