Since graduating from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2016 with a B.S. in Food Science in Human Nutrition, a common theme I’ve learned is the need for a strong personal brand to build solid relationships and lay the foundation for a productive and successful career. Throughout the years, personal brands have evolved from showcasing in elevator speeches that last for 30 seconds to digitized on social media platforms like LinkedIn. I’ve had incredible opportunities to intern and work at many places, and I’ve learned visibility is important. How I show up defines my brand, whether for an interview, meeting, happy hour, or even walking down the street on the weekends and bumping into people. My brand derived from navigating obstacles as a first-generation college graduate and creating equitable access for underrepresented communities’ exposure to mentorship, nutritious food, and funding for higher education. Ultimately, I hope my brand conveys authenticity. Whether I know them personally or not, I want people to have feel-good moments when my path crosses theirs, whether it’s a smile, laugh, or knowledge sharing. I like to be authentic when posting on LinkedIn (without sounding like an AI robot), and I hope people see me on Instagram and Facebook as a fun, genuine breath of fresh air. Defining my brand took years of refinement and examination to convey the person I am and the qualities I hope others see in me. Developing your brand doesn’t have to be complicated. I used several learnings to craft my brand; with this knowledge, you can create your own unique personal brand, too. IDENTIFY YOUR PASSION, EXPERTISE AND MOTIVATION At an early age, I was passionate about the food industry and helping people, and it’s pretty simple where my passion came from. I lost my maternal grandmother to diabetes when I was seven and grew up in a community where those around me weren’t the most tech-savvy. But, I was determined to teach them, especially during the ages of NetZero dial-up internet. These pivotal life moments shaped the person I am today and helped me discover my strengths and passions. When you think about what you want your personal brand to say about who you are, identify life-changing moments— big and small. Dig deep to discover what brings you happiness and motivates you to reach a short or long-term goal. QUESTIONS TO HELP SHAPE YOUR BRAND: What are your strengths, and what motivates you to impact the world positively? SHARE YOUR PASSION, MOTIVATION AND LIFE WINS WITH CONFIDENCE AND CLARITY This aspect remains a challenge for me. Throughout college, and when I think back to high school, I never wanted the spotlight on everything I was doing. I did not want what I was working toward to be identified as self-absorbed, bragging, egocentric, or privileged. I held back, not sharing life accolades that were a huge part of my brand— things like applying to 61 colleges and receiving a full ride to each one of those colleges; mentoring underrepresented Chicago high school juniors and seniors, helping them attend undergrad through various scholarships; being paired with amazing mentors that taught me a great deal about personal and professional development; and even most recently, being the 2022 recipient of Agriculture Future of America’s Bridge Builder Award. These experiences have deeply and profoundly shaped my brand, how I view myself personally, and how I hope to be viewed by others and the world. I am confident that I am creating ripple effects that connect with and impact others, and I am proud of these experiences to define my personal brand. > > > By Nick Tarleton, Agriculture Future of America Alumnus and Supervisor, U.S. Supply Chain-Quality Systems at McDonald’s Corporation 9 AGCAREERS.COMAGRICULTURE & FOOD CAREER GUIDE
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTQyMDk=