4 Ways to Build a Personal Brand Before You Graduate

Your personal brand is how people view you, including your strengths and values. Even before you graduate, building a personal brand can give you an edge, especially if you’re starting a business or applying for scholarships. The best part is you don’t need a huge following or expensive gear to make it happen. You simply have to prioritize showing up and being intentional. In this article, we’ll break down a few simple ways you can start building your brand right now.

1. Take Action in Your Everyday Life

You’re building your personal brand every time you make a decision about how to spend your time. For example, if you volunteer at a local nonprofit, you’ll meet people from all kinds of backgrounds. Some of them could end up being collaborators, business partners, or mentors. 

School is another space to grow. Are you part of a sports team? An entrepreneurship program? Do you compete in debate clubs? These experiences help shape your identity and send a message about what you care about.

2. Invest Time Into Learning New Skills

Learning new skills can make you a stronger student, a more confident entrepreneur, and an all-around better version of yourself. There are two types of skills worth focusing on:

• Soft skills such as communication, organization, and time management
• Technical skills like graphic design, video editing, or SEO (search engine optimization)

You don’t even need to spend money to get started. Online platforms like Coursera or YouTube can teach you a lot.

What makes this powerful for your personal brand is:

• You can post your progress and wins online
• You can list your certifications or skills on your resume
• You’ll stand out more when applying for scholarships, internships, or jobs

People are more likely to trust and remember you when they see you’re learning new skills and putting in the effort to be successful.

3. Build Your Online Presence on One Platform

Trying to be on every social media platform can get overwhelming. That’s why it’s better to focus on just one platform and master it. Building your personal brand online requires consistency and posting valuable content.

Let’s say you pick LinkedIn to start. You can create a posting schedule and share:

• Quick ideas or tips based on your interests
• Short personal stories people can relate to
• Updates on your business or school achievements
• Comments and reactions to posts in your space to stay engaged

The more you show up, the more likely people are to notice you, which can lead to opportunities you didn’t expect.

To make things easier, try using a free scheduling tool so you can plan your content once a week and let it post automatically. You don’t have to post daily; just pick a consistent schedule and stick with it.

4. Make Real-World Connections

Wherever you go, make it a habit to speak with the people you meet. This could mean chatting with local business owners, attending networking events, or setting up virtual coffee chats with professionals you admire. Even if a guest speaker visits your school, don’t hesitate to follow up with a question or share an idea.

You never know who might be able to offer guidance, refer you to someone else, or connect you to new opportunities, whether it’s related to your business, school goals, or personal growth. In fact, 95% of professionals say that in-person communication plays a key role in building strong, long-lasting business relationships.

Start Building Today

You don’t have to wait until you graduate high school to start building your personal brand—you can begin right now. Even taking one small step from the tips above can make a difference, and over time, you can build on that momentum. The most important part is continuing to show up for yourself as your brand starts to grow.

Are you passionate about entrepreneurship and excelling in school? The Kantner Foundation scholarship is designed for students like you. Find out more here.