How to Build Your Personal Brand in College

Makayla Ediger
Apr 14
5 min read

Information in the blog post was obtained from: Pretty Little Marketer, Copyblogger, and Content Marketing Institute.

Desk with gold lamp, laptop showing images, pink roses in jar, glasses on notebooks, decorative jars. Motivational text poster in background. — Image Courtesy of Unsplash

Picture this. You're applying for an internship that feels like a perfect fit. Your resume is solid. Your GPA is good. You’ve even got some volunteer experience under your belt. But so do the other 200 students applying. So what makes you stand out?

This is where your personal brand comes in. Whether you realize it or not, you already have one. The way you show up online, the things you post, how you talk about your goals, and even the energy you bring into a room all shape how people see you. Building a strong personal brand doesn’t mean pretending to be someone you’re not. It means being intentional about how you present your strengths, your passions, and your future goals.

In this blog post, we’ll cover everything you need to know to start building a brand that reflects who you are and where you’re going. First, we’ll break down what personal branding is and why it matters. Then, we’ll explore how to find your niche and develop a brand strategy. Finally, we’ll look at ways to grow your online presence and keep your brand consistent.

What Is a Personal Brand and Why Should You Care?

Your personal brand is the image you create through your actions, words, and content—especially online. It’s what people think of when they see your name pop up on LinkedIn or hear about you from a professor or peer. According to the Content Marketing Institute, personal branding is the story you tell the world. And in today’s job market, that story matters.

For college students, building a personal brand can:

Help you stand out to employers and recruiters
Open doors to internships, leadership opportunities, and networking connections
Build credibility in your field of interest
Create a foundation for your future career or personal projects

It’s no longer just about what you’ve done. It’s about how you position your experiences and values in a way that’s clear, authentic, and memorable.

Step One: Identify Your Niche and Goals

Before you start posting or creating content, take some time to reflect. Pretty Little Marketer recommends starting with a few basic questions to find your niche and set clear intentions. Ask yourself:

What topics do I genuinely care about?
What kinds of careers or industries interest me?
What do people come to me for help with?
How do I want others—employers, classmates, mentors—to describe me?

Your answers can help you define a brand mission. This is a short statement that explains who you are, what you’re passionate about, and what kind of value you want to provide.

For example: "I'm a marketing student passionate about digital storytelling, Gen Z trends, and building brand communities. I want to help companies connect with younger audiences through creative and authentic content."

This mission can evolve over time, but having a starting point gives you direction. It helps you choose the right platforms, topics, and opportunities to focus on.

Step Two: Build a Strategy That Works for You

Once you know what you want to be known for, it’s time to start showing up in that space.

According to Copyblogger, consistency is one of the most important pieces of personal branding. That doesn’t mean you need to post every day, but it does mean you should be intentional with your message, tone, and content. Start with one or two platforms that make sense for your goals. Here’s a quick guide:

LinkedIn – Best for professional networking, career growth, and sharing accomplishments or insights
Instagram – Great for visual storytelling, especially if you're in a creative field
TikTok – Ideal for short, personality-driven content and building community
Personal Website or Portfolio – A central hub where you can showcase your work, share your story, and collect everything in one place

No matter which platforms you use, make sure they align with your niche and help communicate your brand. Update your bios to reflect your goals, use a professional profile photo, and start creating or sharing content that matches your interests and values.

Image Courtesy of Unsplash

Step Three: Create and Share Valuable Content

You don’t have to be an expert to share useful content. In fact, documenting your journey can be one of the most authentic ways to grow your brand. According to the Content Marketing Institute, value-driven content is key to standing out. That could mean sharing lessons from an internship, posting helpful resources, or writing about your takeaways from a class project. Here are some simple ideas to start with:

Share what you’re learning in your major or industry
Post behind-the-scenes moments from internships or student orgs
Highlight campaigns, brands, or creators you admire and explain why
Write about personal experiences and how they’ve shaped your goals
Offer tips or advice to other students based on your own challenges

Over time, these posts will help build your voice and credibility in your space.

Step Four: Grow Your Network and Make Connections

A personal brand isn’t just about content. It’s also about relationships. Pretty Little Marketer suggests approaching networking like a conversation, not a pitch. Comment on posts that inspire you, reach out to alumni or professionals you admire, and don’t be afraid to ask for a quick Zoom chat or coffee. You can also grow your network by:

Joining student organizations related to your major
Attending campus events or professional conferences
Following thought leaders and joining conversations in your industry
Reaching out to peers in your classes or LinkedIn circles

People remember those who show genuine interest, ask thoughtful questions, and follow up with appreciation.

Step Five: Keep It Authentic and Consistent

Your personal brand should feel like you. Not a more polished or perfect version of you, just a clearer one. Copyblogger emphasizes the importance of being real. Employers and followers can tell when someone is trying too hard to sound like everyone else. Let your personality come through in your content and interactions. A few final tips:

Keep your tone consistent across platforms
Use the same photo and handle when possible
Make sure your resume, website, and social profiles align
Be patient. Branding takes time and evolves as you grow

Final Thoughts

I chose to write about personal branding because I’ve seen firsthand how much of a difference it can make, especially in college. Once I got clear on my message and started showing up with intention, I began connecting with professionals in my field, landing more interviews, and even getting messages from people asking for advice.

In this post, we covered what personal branding is and why it’s important. We explored how to identify your niche, build a simple strategy, create content, grow your network, and stay consistent. You don’t need to have all the answers right now. Just start where you are and grow as you go.

Social media isn’t just posting, it’s personal. Dive into "The Intersections of Personal Branding, Content Creation, and Entrepreneurship" on The SMMU to explore how building your personal brand can jumpstart your marketing career.