List boarding school on LinkedIn?

[Anonymous]

I went to a very unusual (not boarding) high school. I include it on LinkedIn because it very much shaped who I am. People who recognize it will see it as an asset. People who don't know might ask about it and then I can explain, offering a good talking point in interviews, etc...

[Anonymous]

Heres the thing, everyone is right on this thread. I think it is situational and dependent on the field/location that you work in. If you work in a field where many boarding school alumni work, then it definitely helps. For example, putting Deerfield on your linkedin when your working in private equity probably makes sense. Putting Harker if you work in Silicon Valley probably makes sense. If you are looking to get a job in Philadelphia, having the fact that you went to a boarding school near the city probably makes sense. However, lets say you are an engineer for a federal agency, a boarding school in California is pointless on your linkedin. I think you should examine what message you are trying to put out and who will be receiving this message.

Side note, I am not bashing engineers for the feds, I am an engineer for the feds.

[Anonymous]

Personally, I would "like" the alumni page or join the alumni group or whatever, but not list it in my Education section.

[Anonymous]

It will turn off a lot people, it will be unnoticed by some people, it will be a positive thing for a few people. Some circles will lean one way or the other. Hard to tell. I'd make it searchable, but not prominent, I guess?

I went to a boarding school and do not include it on my resume. But I'm in a stable job I love in an industry where it is not going to help me at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Heres the thing, everyone is right on this thread. I think it is situational and dependent on the field/location that you work in. If you work in a field where many boarding school alumni work, then it definitely helps. For example, putting Deerfield on your linkedin when your working in private equity probably makes sense. Putting Harker if you work in Silicon Valley probably makes sense. If you are looking to get a job in Philadelphia, having the fact that you went to a boarding school near the city probably makes sense. However, lets say you are an engineer for a federal agency, a boarding school in California is pointless on your linkedin. I think you should examine what message you are trying to put out and who will be receiving this message.

Side note, I am not bashing engineers for the feds, I am an engineer for the feds.

This is a great response.

[Anonymous]

Europeans do it. Tacky for Americans

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would NEVER put my boarding school on my resume. I'm in an alumni group that's visible on LinkedIn. However, I recently noticed that I could list my high school as part of my "Education" and the school has a LinkedIn page, not just a group, people can be connected with. Alums are searchable that way. Is this gauche to add? Would you add?

I'd absolutely put that on my LinkedIn. I want to a local prep school and always get questions about it. People like doing business with people from wealthy backgrounds. Hate away, but it's a fact.