Get LinkedIn with Pro-Life Professionals

A pro-life advocate, particularly in the medical and legal fields, often feels alone. The same holds true in academia. But we are more numerous than may at first meet the eye. Moreover, we have much to learn from each other and can benefit also from mutual encouragement. LinkedIn can bring us together. 

What is LinkedIn?

Think, “Facebook for professionals.” As a member of this online community, you can:

• post your resume to a professional profile page
• search for employment and networking opportunities
• establish “connections” with other members who have similar credentials or interests, and build your network by getting “connected” to people with whom they are “connected”
• join (or create) an online discussion group within your field of expertise (a “public” group’s proceedings are visible to everyone online; a “private” group is available only to the subset of LinkedIn members approved by the group manager)
• publish or respond to announcements and inquiries—showcasing your latest products or publications, seeking collaboration in your research, or planning an upcoming event
• stay current with LinkedIn activity either by signing on regularly or else by setting your account preferences to have notifications emailed to you

How does a person join LinkedIn?

Enrolling in LinkedIn is easy:

1. Visit www.linkedin.com.
2. Enter your first and last names, an email address, and a password. (Your email address can be hidden or visible to other LinkedIn members at your discretion. LinkedIn will prompt you to establish your preference later.)
3. Click “Join Now.”

How do people network on LinkedIn?

1. Based on the information you enter for your profile (such as education and employment history), LinkedIn will suggest other users whom you may know. Click to “connect” with them at your discretion.
2. Once you have a base of “connections,” LinkedIn also will suggest that you connect to people with whom your connections are connected. Similarly, when you view another person’s profile, LinkedIn will label that person as your connection, or else as a 2nd or 3rd level connection (a connection of a connection or a connection of a connection of a connection).
3. By joining groups relevant to your field of expertise, you also will find people whom you may invite into your network of connections, or else simply interact with them through the group discussion.
4. LinkedIn offers several search features, including searches for people, for companies, for jobs, and for groups.
5. Depending upon the account privacy settings you choose, connections may be able to see your email address or phone number, or else send you direct emails. LinkedIn also offers a direct messaging feature (similar to email) that is accessible when you are logged on.

Which LinkedIn groups are best suited for pro-life advocates?

I recommend Pro-Life Professionals and, for current or past university and college professors, the University Faculty for Life subgroup within Pro-Life Professionals. To join:

1. Sign on to your LinkedIn account.
2. Visit http://www.linkedin.com/groups?mostPopular=&gid=1783791 to join Pro-Life Professionals.
3. Visit www.uffl.org to become a member of University Faculty for Life (a scholarly organization), then visit http://www.linkedin.com/groups?mostPopular=&gid=3758095 to join the LinkedIn subgroup for University Faculty for Life members.

I also recommend searching for other groups in your field. For example, join a medical group, or a public policy group, or a sociology group.

Why delay? Get LinkedIn, stay informed, be encouraged, and work together to promote a culture of life!