When Olivia Scott talks about personal branding, she is not just referring to a polished LinkedIn profile or a carefully curated Instagram feed. For Scott, personal branding begins with authenticity.
Scott, founder of Omerge Alliances and an instructor in the College of Business at Loyola University New Orleans, spoke to students during the university’s annual Media Day about how they can build a professional identity while still staying true to themselves.
Her talk, “Building Your Personal Brand with Authenticity,” addressed how students can navigate the growing pressure to market themselves online while also maintaining a genuine sense of who they are.
As internship and job applications approach for many Loyola students, Scott said understanding personal branding is becoming more important than ever.
“Your personal brand is how people perceive you before they even meet you,” Scott said. “It’s the way you communicate your values, your skills, and what you stand for.”
Scott founded Omerge Alliances, a marketing and branding company that focuses on helping individuals and organizations clarify their messaging and connect with audiences in meaningful ways. Her professional background in marketing and communications shaped how she approaches personal branding, especially when working with students preparing to enter the workforce.
During her talk, Scott emphasized that branding is not about creating a completely new persona online. Instead, she encouraged students to focus on consistency between their digital presence and their real-life values.
“Authenticity is what makes a brand sustainable,” Scott said. “If you try to create a version of yourself that isn’t real, it becomes difficult to maintain.”
The topic resonated with many students in attendance, particularly those studying communication, marketing, and business who are preparing for internships and post-graduate careers.
Sophomore public relations major Fabiola Marrero-Bravo said personal branding is important for students who want to stand out in a competitive job market.
“Personal branding means a lot to me because it’s how I show what is unique about me compared to other people,” Marrero-Bravo said. “It shapes everything I do, including how I present myself on social media and professionally.”
Marrero-Bravo said that because many students share similar experiences and platforms online, creating a unique approach to personal branding can help someone stand out.
“There are so many students applying for the same opportunities,” Marrero-Bravo said. “Having a unique approach to your personal brand can make you different from everyone else.”
Another Loyola student, sophomore communications public relations major Lorenzo Barbegelata Miller, said he also sees personal branding as an important part of standing out professionally.
“In our generation, everyone is on social media,” Miller said. “When you apply for internships or jobs, employers can see what you post and how you present yourself online.”
Miller said personal branding helps students communicate what makes them different from others applying for the same opportunities.
“Your personal brand is how you show what makes you unique,” Miller said.
Students also said Loyola classes often encourage them to think about how employers may view their online presence.
“In a lot of media classes, we talk about how employers look at your social media,” Marrero-Bravo said. “Teachers even suggest searching your own name online to see what comes up.”
With platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, and digital portfolios playing a larger role in hiring decisions, Scott said students should start thinking intentionally about how they present themselves professionally.
“Employers often look at your online presence before they even schedule an interview,” Scott said. “So it’s important that what they see reflects the type of professional you want to be.”
However, Scott also stressed that personal branding should not feel overwhelming or artificial.
Instead, she encouraged students to start with simple steps: identifying their strengths, understanding their career goals and communicating those qualities clearly through their online presence and professional interactions.
“Your brand grows with you,” Scott said. “It evolves as your experiences and skills evolve.”
For Loyola students attending Media Day, Scott’s message highlighted the increasing connection between identity, professionalism, and digital presence in today’s job market.
As students prepare for internships, networking opportunities and future careers, Scott hopes they leave with a clearer understanding of how authenticity can guide their professional journeys.
“People connect with honesty,” Scott said. “When you lead with authenticity, your brand becomes something that represents you, not just something you’re trying to sell.”
