How should an MSc student at the University of Birmingham use LinkedIn and Instagram to build professional opportunities before and after arriving in the UK?

Start LinkedIn now if you do not have an account, and begin posting three to four times per week from the moment you create it. The content should be aligned with whatever professional direction you want to move in after your degree, it does not need to be expert-level, but it should demonstrate that you are thinking seriously about your field. LinkedIn is also your primary tool for connecting with alumni who can give you genuine insight into companies where you eventually want to work or intern, and for making contact with employers before you are in a position to apply formally.

• For students with a social media or marketing background, a professional Instagram account is also worth building seriously.
• Brands and businesses in the UK do collaborate with students who have a credible following, and reaching 1,000 followers before you arrive in the UK creates visibility that generates opportunities beyond the university.
• For sustainability-focused students specifically, BISCA, the Birmingham Institute for Sustainability and Climate Action, is worth joining and engaging with actively from your first week.
• Consistent participation in workshops and events over the course of the year leads to further opportunities: panel invitations, officer roles, and professional connections that are not accessible to students who only show up occasionally.