In today’s competitive academic and professional landscape, building a personal brand as a student can set you apart in meaningful ways.
A strong personal brand showcases your skills, values, and unique personality to potential employers, college admissions, or internship supervisors.
Think of it as an intentional way to tell your story, connect with opportunities, and show what makes you a standout.
If you’re looking to get started, here are 7 powerful personal branding examples tailored for students. These case studies will inspire you to build a brand that genuinely represents who you are and what you bring to the table.
1. Lily Herman: Using Twitter to build a brand in journalism
Lily Herman, now a well-known freelance writer and founder of the content consultancy firm Rogue Sunday, started building her personal brand on Twitter while she was still a college student.
By sharing her thoughts on media, politics, and career advice, she began connecting with industry professionals and growing her influence.
Herman’s smart, insightful tweets gained traction, and her Twitter presence became an essential part of her brand.
Why it works: Herman used Twitter to showcase her expertise and connect with industry leaders in real-time. This helped build her credibility in journalism.
Takeaway: Twitter can be a powerful platform to establish yourself, especially if you’re aiming for fields like journalism, public relations, or communications.
Share valuable insights, engage in relevant conversations, and showcase your expertise to create a brand that stands out.
2. Ann Makosinski: Inventions through media and public speaking
Ann Makosinski, a young inventor and entrepreneur, gained international recognition as a student for her invention, the Hollow Flashlight, which operates on body heat.
She built her personal brand by sharing her innovation journey through public speaking engagements, media interviews, and social media.
Her story has been featured on platforms like The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and TEDx events, reaching a global audience.
Why it works: Makosinski’s public speaking and media appearances helped her establish herself as a young innovator. By sharing her journey, she highlighted her curiosity, intelligence, and entrepreneurial spirit.
Takeaway: If you have a unique project or invention, share it publicly.
Platforms like LinkedIn, local media outlets, and speaking engagements are great ways to showcase your work and build a brand around your passion and skills.
3. Simone Giertz: Using YouTube to build a brand in robotics
Simone Giertz, known as the “Queen of Shitty Robots” on YouTube, built a unique brand centered around her love for robotics and engineering.
Giertz started by posting videos of intentionally dysfunctional robots, which quickly gained popularity for their humor and originality.
Her unconventional approach to robotics made her a well-known figure in the tech and engineering space.
Why it works: Giertz’s quirky approach showed that branding doesn’t always have to be serious.
Her humorous, relatable content captured a wide audience while memorably showcasing her technical skills.
Takeaway: A YouTube channel can be an excellent platform for students in tech, engineering, or creative fields. Focus on authenticity and let your personality shine through—this can make your brand more relatable and appealing to others.
4. Malala Yousafzai: Advocacy to create a global personal brand
Malala Yousafzai, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and activist, built her personal brand around her advocacy for girls’ education.
After surviving an attack by the Taliban, she continued to develop her brand by speaking at global events, publishing her memoir, and launching the Malala Fund.
Her brand emphasizes resilience, courage, and a commitment to making a difference.
Why it works: Yousafzai’s brand is grounded in a clear mission — advocating for girls’ education. She uses her personal experiences and platform to inspire others, creating a brand that resonates worldwide.
Takeaway: If you’re passionate about social issues or advocacy, consider using your story or experiences to drive awareness.
Organizations, speaking events, and social media platforms can help you amplify your voice and build a brand with a purpose.
5. Caleb Carr: Building a brand as a student entrepreneur
Caleb Carr, founder of Vita Inclinata Technologies, began his entrepreneurial journey in college by developing technology that stabilizes helicopter hoist systems to save lives during rescues.
He built his brand as a young innovator by participating in startup competitions, pitching his ideas, and networking with investors.
The result?
His reputation as a student entrepreneur grew. As a result, he connected with mentors and partners to grow his business.
Why it works: Carr positioned himself as a student entrepreneur with a clear, impactful mission. By networking, pitching his ideas, and participating in competitions, he showed his commitment to innovation and social impact.
Takeaway: Participate in competitions, pitch events, and entrepreneurial networks to build a brand if you’re interested in startups or tech innovation.
This can attract funding, mentorship, and connections with like-minded individuals.
6. Tavi Gevinson: A unique voice through blogging
Tavi Gevinson, now an actress and writer, began her brand as a young fashion blogger with her blog, Style Rookie when she was just 12 years old.
Her unique style and voice quickly garnered attention, and by her teens, she was invited to sit front-row at fashion shows.
Later, she expanded her brand by founding Rookie Magazine, an online magazine for teens. Gevinson’s brand is a testament to authenticity, showing how a unique perspective can resonate with a global audience.
Why it works: Gevinson’s brand took off because she stayed true to her voice and didn’t try to fit a conventional mold. Her originality attracted the attention of major industry figures, and her brand grew as she expanded her platform.
Takeaway: Blogging can be an effective way to share your perspective and build a brand, especially if you’re in creative fields like fashion, art, or writing.
Stay authentic and consistent—your unique voice is what will make your brand memorable.
7. Adam Braun: LinkedIn for launching a nonprofit
Adam Braun, founder of Pencils of Promise, used LinkedIn to share his vision and mission while he was a student.
His organization, which builds schools in developing countries, grew as he used LinkedIn to share updates, highlight his journey, and connect with supporters.
His posts attracted followers interested in his mission, helping him raise awareness and build a personal brand around social impact.
Why it works: Braun’s consistent sharing on LinkedIn showed his dedication to his mission and attracted people who wanted to support his work. H
is brand became synonymous with educational access and social entrepreneurship.
Takeaway: LinkedIn is an effective platform for building a professional brand, especially if you’re interested in nonprofit work or social impact.
Share your mission, connect with like-minded individuals, and post updates about your progress.
8. Amanda Gorman: Branding through public speaking and poetry
Our final example is Amanda Gorman — the National Youth Poet Laureate who became a household name after performing at President Biden’s inauguration.
Her personal brand is rooted in her passion for poetry, activism, and public speaking.
Gorman’s brand grew as she performed at high-profile events, published poetry, and became a voice for social justice.
Why it works: Gorman’s brand reflects her passions and her ability to connect with audiences through poetry. Her work embodies her values, making her brand powerful and authentic.
Takeaway: If you have public speaking skills or artistic talents, consider using them to build a brand around your unique voice and values.
Whether through poetry, art, or speeches, expressing yourself authentically can make your brand memorable and impactful.
Final thoughts: Build a brand that tells your story
Now you know that building a personal brand as a student doesn’t have to be complicated. You just need to learn about your strengths, showcase your achievements, and share what makes you unique.
Look for ways to build credibility, whether through LinkedIn, blogging, social media, or personal projects and use these platforms to share your journey.
Remember, your personal brand is a reflection of who you are, so make it authentic. Choose examples and activities that resonate with you and that you can sustain over time.
Not only will this help you stand out now, but it will also lay the foundation for a strong, lasting reputation as you move forward in your career.
With the right approach, your personal brand can open doors, connect you to like-minded peers and mentors, and create opportunities that align with your goals.
So, get started today—your brand, and your future, await!