WHEN I first heard the phrase “personal branding”, my mind went completely blank.
Dozens of questions then popped up: What is it? Why do I need it? How do I do it?
Imagine my surprise when I discovered that personal branding is almost a prerequisite for applying to colleges and universities.
Hence, I was more than delighted when my school organised a workshop with a wonderful team of strong women from EKTA Youth Development and Lifelong Learning to guide us through the process.
Initially, I found myself hopelessly lost and scrambling to create a decent draft – something I realised every teenager should be taught and exposed to as early as possible.
Personal branding, in simple terms, is essentially the way you portray yourself and the impressions you leave on the people you interact with.
The main benefit of creating a personal brand is that when opportunities such as internships, youth exchange programmes and scholarships arise, you’re ready to present your story.
When I first began my draft, I struggled to recall my achievements and greatest qualities. While we all like to identify with every positive trait available, that’s not always the case, is it?
Having to write down those characteristics made me truly reflect on myself and identify the genuine traits that resonated with me.
It wasn’t easy but it was necessary to create a realistic and honest version of myself on paper. This exercise also helped me pinpoint aspects of my personality that I needed to work on.
Similarly, I had to list my lifelong accomplishments – quite a challenge for someone who often struggles to remember what she had for dinner.
From this exercise, I believe students should be introduced to personal branding by the age of 13. This early start gives them the opportunity to build their personal statements over time through ongoing experiences.
It allows them to actively choose what to include in their personal brands and to seek out programmes and activities that add value to their statements.
Seeing your achievements laid out on paper gives you a bird’s-eye view of everything you’ve accomplished, allowing you to bask in a sense of pride while also understanding that there is still much to be done.
If you’ve already decided on your career field, it’s even easier. Focus on skills and courses that support your choice rather than jumping into every project that comes your way. Besides, it’s always better to begin with the end in mind.
However, in today’s world, building an offline profile is not enough. Our online image is just as crucial for college and job applications, as it influences how we are perceived as candidates.
Many of us tend to forget that everything we say and do online will eventually reflect back on us. It is crucial to keep the information shared online authentic and appropriate.
Based on the tips I’ve picked up, I suggest focusing on constructing your online presence before worrying about how it compares to others. It’s easy to get influenced and intimidated by the polished profiles you see online.
You don’t want to create an overly rosy picture that doesn’t reflect your true self, as maintaining such a façade in the long run can be extremely cumbersome.
There are a few ways to format a personal brand. You could use bullet points or structure it like an autobiography. I opted for a casual approach, weaving my story into a narrative for a more personal touch.
Don’t worry too much about the format, though – just sit down, grab a piece of paper, and start writing. Don’t overthink it; the best way to get things done is simply to begin.
Kannchana, 16, a student in Kuala Lumpur, is a participant of the BRATs Young Journalist Programme run by The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) team. For updates on the BRATs programme, go to facebook.com/niebrats.
With the theme of the article in mind, carry out the following English language activities.
1. What’s your personal brand? Start by listing your key achievements and qualities. Also, reflect on any areas where you could improve. Once you have written your personal brand, exchange drafts with a classmate for feedback and suggestions.
2. Look in the newspaper for an inspiring personality. Identify and list adjectives that describe his or her characteristics. Reflect on whether you share any of these traits and how you might develop them further in yourself.
The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) programme promotes the use of English language in primary and secondary schools nationwide. For Star-NiE enquiries, email starnie@thestar.com.my.
