Building my Profile in Real Life and Online
How Will This Session Help Me??
Everything you do—from how you participate in school clubs and interact with teachers to what you post online—creates your personal profile. Building a positive, authentic personal brand helps you establish a great reputation, build strong support networks, and stand out for future college applications and career opportunities!
Questions to get Started
"When people at school or in your community hear your name, what three words or strengths do you hope come to their minds?"
"How does the way you present yourself online (social media, messaging) compare to how you act in person at school or in clubs?"
"If a future college or employer looked up your online presence or asked your teachers about you, what positive evidence would they find?"
Focused Virtues
The Focused Virtue for this session is Courage.
Courage gives us the willingness to step out of our comfort zone, introduce ourselves to new mentors, and represent our true values authentically in person and online.
Ask Yourself: "How can I show courage to build a positive profile and connect with people who support my goals?"
Be true to your values, build connections with courage.
Skills Development:
Thinking about your options after Year 9 can feel big, especially when it comes to building your personal network and reputation. Walking up to a visitor at a school careers fair or introducing yourself to a new club leader takes real courage.
First, focus on in-person connections. To make a warm first impression, start with a smile and a clear introduction: "Hello, I'm [Name]." Keep your explanation of what you are studying or interested in simple, and show genuine interest by asking about their journey. Taking the initiative to introduce yourself unlocks hidden opportunities like work experience, mentoring, or club leadership.
Next, manage your digital footprint with self-awareness. Your online presence is a permanent record of your interests, values, and communication style. Ensure your digital profile reflects your best self—sharing achievements, supporting peers, and using respectful language across all platforms.
Finally, practice adaptive communication. Observe how people respond during conversations. If someone looks busy, keep your intro brief; if they are engaged, ask insightful questions. Every positive connection you make—in person or online—builds a strong reputation that supports your future ambitions.
Case Studies and Questions
You are attending a school careers event or workshop and recognise a speaker who works in an industry you are curious about. During a coffee break, she is standing by herself. At the same time, you want to make sure your online profile shows your interest in this field.
What could you say in person to introduce yourself courageously? How can you ensure your digital profile backs up your career interests?
• Do I know simple ways to start a confident, polite conversation with someone I want to learn from?
• Does my current online presence reflect the positive, capable person I am in real life?
Guidance and Resources for Facilitators
Core Concepts & Background Information
The 3-Step In-Person Introduction: Meeting new mentors, teachers, or visitors at school events requires a clear, confident structure. Practice the 3-step networking formula:
Warm Greeting & Name: "Hello, I'm [Name], a Year 9 student."
Anchor / Passion: "I'm really interested in environmental science and creative writing."
Open Question: "What inspired you to get into your line of work?"
Curating a Positive Digital Footprint: Educate girls on the permanence of digital communication. Online profiles, posts, comments, and messages form a public record that future educational institutions and employers can evaluate. Encourage them to ensure their online footprint reflects their true values, achievements, and interests.
Adaptive Communication Registers: Help girls recognize that language choices shift depending on context. Practice transitioning between casual language (appropriate for personal friends) and formal/professional registers (appropriate for teachers, public profiles, and career contacts).
Guiding Reflection & Overcoming Barriers
Overcoming Shyness & The "Self-Promotion" Barrier: Girls often view networking or building a personal profile as "boasting." Reframe networking as a process of curiosity, learning, and connection—seeking out people who inspire them and sharing genuine passions.
Prompting Reflection:
"When you look at your own social media or digital footprint, does it show the full picture of your interests, skills, and positive traits?"
"How does asking someone about their career journey take the pressure off you during a conversation?"
Activity Idea (The 30-Second Elevator Intro): Have girls write and practice a 30-second introduction card incorporating their name, one core passion or skill, and one future ambition. Have them rotate in speed-networking pairs to practice delivering their introduction with a handshake or warm greeting and eye contact.