Dear LinkedIn,

I'm Claudia, a second-year grad student studying user experience design at UNC-CH. You might not know me among your multitude of friends; I'm just one among many. But today, I'm writing this letter, part apology, part exploration, to share my journey with you, which is both challenging and exciting.

When I first joined your community, I felt overwhelmed. Everyone said mastering you was important for job hunting. So, I signed up, curious but skeptical. My first shock came with the concept of "Connections." I still remember feeling a mix of awe and intimidation when I saw peers with '500+ connections.' It made me question everything.

Arrogant - the first impression I had of you. To me, you were a place where people built networks not for REAL connections. I noticed how people would network for referrals or job recommendations and then become inactive or disappear once they got what they wanted. This made me question the authenticity of these connections. It seemed like a hunger game where the most strategic players won. And the whole idea felt overwhelming. How do you approach someone you've never met? Would they even respond? Is this approach really meaningful? Ah, I'm so terrified!!! My initial attempts met only silence, reinforcing my idea that you were a place where one's value was measured in connections and endorsements. I often felt like a small fish in a big pond, barely making any ripples despite my efforts. Jobs, connections, posts – all of it felt overwhelmingly noisy, and at times, I just wanted to escape from that chaos.

Disappointed and frustrated, I turned to ADPList, seeking a more empathetic community. And there, my perspective began to change. I engaged in meaningful conversations with designers worldwide. One particular discussion with an IBM designer struck me. He challenged my view of you, suggesting that perhaps my frustration came not from the platform itself, but from how people chose to use it.

The truth is, he was right. When I started exploring LinkedIn again, but with a new perspective, I saw a different side of it. People were sharing their knowledge, genuinely connecting over shared interests, and offering support to others facing layoffs… It became clear that you were not that arrogant guy in my story; my perspective was.

Now I've come to realize something important in a world rife with quick judgments: how easily we label products. As a designer, I'm often tasked with encapsulating a product's essence in just one sentence. This is crucial because if we fail to grasp and communicate the core idea effectively, it can lead to devastating consequences, misguiding both ourselves and others in entirely the wrong direction. And now, if I were to define you again, I would say that you are an open and receptive platform, supporting us in branding our own identities in whatever way we choose. You're not an ivory tower, isolated and aloof; rather, you're a diverse and energetic city just like New York, where lots of elements live together, each maintaining its unique identity while contributing to the vibrant world.

So, thank you, LinkedIn. You've taught me not just about networking, but also important life lessons: to be open, less judgmental, and more understanding. The world has many faces, and it's up to us to choose how we engage with them. I cannot wait to share my story with my friends and with others who might have felt like I did. I hope my journey will inspire others as well!!

And just a small footnote (hope you don't mind) – I've unsubscribed from your Premium service. It's not you, it's me. I'm still learning to find value in different aspects of life, including you.

Best regards,

Claudia