From Classroom to Career: Strategic LinkedIn Insights for Professional Growth
The PGDM Retail Management Department (Trimester II, Batch 2025–2027) at Jagan Institute of Management Studies (JIMS), Rohini organized an insightful guest session on “From Classroom to Career: Leveraging LinkedIn the Smart Way” on December 12, 2025.
The session was conducted by Ms. Nidhika Ahuja, Alumna PGDM (2007–2009) and HR Manager at Fidelity International, who shared practical insights on using LinkedIn as a strategic professional growth and career-building platform rather than just a social networking site.
Ms. Ahuja highlighted the evolving role of LinkedIn in today’s hiring ecosystem, emphasizing its importance as an essential career advancement tool. She encouraged students to move from passive scrolling to intentional, goal-oriented networking, explaining how strategic use of LinkedIn can support long-term career development.
A key focus of the session was the importance of quality connections over quantity. Students were advised to build networks aligned with their career goals by connecting with professionals from relevant industries, functional domains, and aspirational roles. Ms. Ahuja emphasized that a focused and well-curated network reflects one’s professional direction.
The session also covered the strategic use of LinkedIn, including building industry visibility, learning from professionals, and forming meaningful long-term relationships. Guidance was provided on prioritizing connections with alumni, HR professionals, and employees from target organizations to gain insights, referrals, and real-world perspectives.
Ms. Ahuja further stressed the importance of professional content on LinkedIn, advising students to share value-driven posts such as learnings from sessions, internships, projects, industry insights, certifications, and achievements, while maintaining credibility, clarity, and consistency.
Through interactive discussions and real-life examples, students gained a clear understanding of how purposeful networking and content creation can enhance career opportunities, often even before formal recruitment begins.
Key Takeaways
- Understanding LinkedIn as a strategic career development tool rather than a social platform
- Importance of quality and relevance in professional networking
- Identifying the right set of professionals to connect with for career growth
- Learning how purposeful content builds credibility and professional visibility
- Gaining clarity on how LinkedIn can open career opportunities beyond resumes
The session successfully bridged classroom learning with industry practices, reinforcing JIMS Rohini’s commitment to preparing students with career-ready skills and professional competencies essential for long-term success.