This year is your last year as a college student. As a college senior, you are likely ready to participate in internships, looking into fellowships, and starting to look into what you plan to do for the rest of your life.

As you plan to move forward with your senior year, you must prepare yourself for life as a working adult. Life as a working adult includes creating your image or your personal brand. Part of that personal brand is having a professional headshot. 

Below are five reasons you, as a college senior, need a professional headshot.

1. Companies Look at Your LinkedIn Profile

LinkedIn is social media for business. Therefore, you are trying to put your best face forward to make a great first impression on potential employers, fellowship and internship directors, and other professionals. In order to ensure your LinkedIn profile is as professional as possible, you need a professional headshot as your profile picture. Your headshot on LinkedIn may be the only opportunity you have to make a first  impression that may change your life. 

2. Make Your Resume Stand Out

If you were an actor or performer, you would have a resume with a professional headshot so casting directors can see what you look like. While that is not necessary in other fields, putting a headshot on your resume is a wonderful practice which allows your resume to stand out in a competition.

3. A Smile Can Say a Thousand Words

When you are getting ready to head out into the world, you will want to ensure your image says everything positive about you. A selfie from a cell phone may be a lot of fun. However, it does not say the words you want an employer, college, or fellowship director to hear. Instead, it says that you like to have fun and think you can do it all on your own.

In contrast, a professional headshot will tell employer that you are a consummate professional. They will see that you go the extra mile to get the job done and that you believe in teamwork because you know some things you cannot do on your own.

4. Creating Your Personal Brand Helps You as You Progress in Your Life

As a professional, you should have a brand to keep you memorable. A professional brand allows you to stay in the forefront of an employer's mind or client's mind if you choose to start your own business. If you start your professional branding while in college, you have time to perfect it and create the lasting memory you want others to have immediately. 

5. You Have the Chance to Go an Untraditional Route in Life

Maybe your goal is to perform. Maybe you wish to start your own business. If your goal is to go an untraditional route in your career, you will need a headshot as part of the process. Since your senior year is the time in which you make those decisions, it is essential that you do so with a professional headshot. 

Conclusion

It is time to get your professional headshots. As you finish your last college year, it is time to prepare for life outside of school. Lisa Mongulla Photography can help you with your professional headshots for the new year. Visit the website for more information or schedule a 15 minute chat to discuss expectations.