Change-Makers,LinkedIn Learning Champions, Leaders, & Trailblazers-#26 LinkedIn Learning Champions Community Edition

There is a saying, "Give people the “ wings to fly, roots to come back, and reasons to stay.” – Dalai Lama

Ryan Rolansky, LinkedIn's CEO said, “I'm really passionate about how we get people the skills they need to be more productive and successful."

Thee years ago I met Jennifer Catallo, LinkedIn Learning Champions Program Lead, North America (not to mention many other hats) from LinkedIn, Canada and I knew we would be fast friends. You see, Jennifer was on a similar mission; a mission to spread LinkedIn Learning goodness so students could develop their skills and their potential.

Of course, being a true lover of "everything" LinkedIn, it was not hard to get me on board as the Program Liaison between LinkedIn Canada and University of Toronto and Rotman Commerce where I am stationed. Having another opportunity, to see amazing and diverse students shine, was quite frankly enough for me. However, little did I know that this program would turn out to be so much more than I ever expected.

This is why I am dedicating #26, of my Change-Maker Series, to the people who make this program the special program it truly is; the people who know that the LinkedIn Learning Champion Program is worth the time, dedication, commitment, and even MORE.

The LinkedIn Learning Champion Program focuses on the needs of students and offers a series of ?exibly structured courses and training driven by LinkedIn Learning and paired with project-based experiential learning opportunities. Students focus on in-demand skills like: building a social media presence, perfecting professional writing samples, practicing public speaking, developing & implementing creative design projects, managing events. and building teams.

The LinkedIn Learning Customer Success Team drives the program but the entire community has made it what it is today! What started out as a structured program with a focus on spreading the benefits of LinkedIn Learning far and wide, has became that and so much more!

With over 1000 students, 20 Liaisons, and 80 schools participating throughout North America, this program has ignited COMMUNITY, CONNECTION, and COLLABORATION for everyone involved.

Friendships have been made, ties have been tightened, students have been empowered, learning has been heightened, creativity has been triggered, skills have been honed, cultures have been united, opportunities have been offered, and community bonds have been strengthened.

Emeka Balakumar: "The Champion projects joins like minded, passionate, and hardworking individuals who are ready to step out of their comfort zones to learn something new. Being a part of the program has allowed me to grow as a person in terms of my motivation and passion for learning. Furthermore, it allowed me to make amazing connections and really brought out what LinkedIn stands for as a platform".

Gabby Castro: "As a newcomer, the program brought me a huge network of excellent people that would have been really hard for me to build without the program. I also had an opportunity to bring LinkedIn knowledge to my local community and help other newcomers to succeed in Canada."

Mihika Choudhary The program represents a support structure. I can reach out to my #linkedinfamily for career advice, life skills, personal growth, positive thinking, sharing little quirks without feeling judged, overcoming fears, singing, partying, cooking, laughing or just simply enjoying. This program encouraged me to own my space in the world of virtual connects, speak out about issues or apprehensions I may have had, and help others grow while learning myself.

Martin Ilumin: "Brian Tracy said, "Continuous learning is the minimum requirement for success in any field". LinkedIn Learning has set the standard for continuous learning not just for technical skills but for soft skills as well with a touch of a button at the palm of your hand. The only limitation, as with life, is the time that you're willing to put in to invest in yourself to get better."

Mehmet Sever: "This program definitely reveals the power inside you! Thanks to the LiL Champion Program, I've made incredible connections across Canada. I have become much more self-confident in building networks and organizing events."

Keely Hamilton: "I think the LinkedIn Champion Program brings together leaders who are passionate about helping people and leaving a positive impact on their lives."

Mujtaba Ali Khan: "LinkedIn Learning is a gigantic platform to start learning almost any in-demand topic. The Champions program helped me form an amazing group around equally motivated learners who were also determined to make a change in their communities. Special thanks goes out to my team at UofT, Shelly Elsliger, and Jennifer Catallo for this incredible opportunity!

Jillian Hamilton: The LinkedIn Champion Program has introduced me to new perspectives and ways of interacting with my network. I have learned to become more involved in this platform and have had the privilege of influencing my fellow peers. I hope to use the skills I've learned to continue the spread of LinkedIn!

 Alvin Meledath: "I was hesitant to be myself and have a voice for myself and others. This program helped me find a safe space to express myself and not just be an advocate for myself but to use my voice to empower and enable others. Thank you Jennifer C. and the Champions Community glad to call you family."

Gregory Desrosiers: "The LinkedIn Learning Champion Program has allowed me to build upon my networking and candidacy assets, and to be presented with something exciting afterwards so that I can take lifelong learning to the next level."

Pelagia Majoni: "I really loved the LinkedIn Champion Program! I challenged myself to share my experiences with people from all over the world through LinkedIn and I always felt supported and respected."

RIYA JINDAL:"The LinkedIn Champions program has helped me use my true power with the sense of helping others and not hesitating to ask for help when needed. It gives me that sense of belonging and togetherness that we all share in the community. I am grateful for everything that I learn everyday."

Deanne Aby: "The LinkedIn Champion Program enabled me to create a student club focusing on LinkedIn Learning - this helped foster a sense of community and career among fellow students & develop connections within my department and other departments by having LinkedIn Learning as a conversation starter."

Carina Castagna: "The LinkedIn Champion Program represents the global community we are apart of. Some of my mentees were located in a different country than me, but never the less we connected and worked together as a team toward a common goal. What an incredible time to be alive. To have the ability to connect with and partner with individuals on a global scale."

Loren Ndremizara: The LinkedIn Learning Champion Program opened quite a few doors for professional growth and networking opportunities in my life. If it weren't for this program, I wouldn't have been able to connect with the career advisors on my campus to improve students' learning techniques nor meet other champions and work together for the common good.

Abel Rosas: "The LinkedIn Champion Program gives the opportunity for participants to build a strong network, help them explore the potential of the tool, and increase their knowledge on "How to improve their LinkedIn Profile" as well as how to increase their opportunities of getting a job."

Vanessa Torres-Miranda: "The champions represent community because they are a diverse group of on-campus leaders who take charge of their learning journey and inspire others to do the same."

Sarah Davidson: "I love the LinkedIn Champion Network because I am able to connect with people from all around the world. It's amazing hearing everyone's stories, their background, and being able to share mine. During my time as a LinkedIn Champion I have made some wonderful friendships and always enjoy giving back to this amazing community. Super happy to be a part of it!"

Marius Pelmus: The LinkedIn Learning Champion Program opened new gates towards mentoring, leadership, and networking. Working in the program helped me grow as a professional, and I will summarize the experience with this quote "development is a series of rebirths" by Maria Montessori.

Ali Khan: The Ambassador program has completely transformed my university life. Originally from Delhi, India, I had big ambitions to succeed and bring a difference as an international student in Canada. The training, opportunities, and mentorship I received from this program allowed me to become the successful, confident and proactive person I've always wanted to be.

Sang Le: "The LinkedIn Learning Champion program introduced me to a community of mentors, mentees, and peers who continuously inspire me to take action that matter and amplify important conversations. Forever grateful to be part of the cohort!

Hannah Shimoga:"I joined the LinkedIn Learning Champion program more than a year ago mostly because I was excited to learn about the software and tools that LinkedIn had to leverage, but I’ve stayed with the program because of the culture. I’m surrounded by a network of incredibly talented peers and colleagues that are putting all their energy towards building connections within their communities and it inspires me to become a better leader every day. I’ve developed lifelong connections with my fellow Champions and I have connected with hundreds of students and professionals outside the program through initiatives like conducting workshops with external partners. This program has not only helped me give back to the communities, I'm part of, but also given me the platform to cultivate new ones."

The LinkedIn Learning Champions program brought people together that otherwise would not have met. It is a program solidly grounded in diversity and inclusion with a space for every single champion, liaison, and team lead to have a voice.

Jennifer Catallo: “Before creating the LinkedIn Learning Champions program, I thought I understood the concept of “community”. Community was, for me, about creating a safe space where opportunities could be cultivated, connections created, and the pursuit of learning, the main goal. I designed the program with this concept in mind. Many students for the first time, found their own voice as part of this community. Others experimented and learned while others worked to build their professional experiences and harness the skills they needed to pursue their goals. However, I was missing one key component in my initial concept that the champions taught me. As the champions engaged in the program I came to realize the importance of actively ensuring that a space was created for everyone to feel seen and heard.

Being a part of a community can make us feel as though we are a part of something greater than ourselves. It not only gives us opportunities to connect with people, it helps us to reach our goals, fight our fears, benefit our well-being, provide us with opportunity, and help us feel a sense of security and support. It’s important for every person to have a sense of community. 

The LinkedIn Learning Champion Program is OUR community!

A big thank you to others from the LinkedIn Learning Team:

Jenn Jortner Cassidy, Reggie Hanson, Amanda Penrice, and Jake Hirsch-Allen

And....

Alvin Meledath, a LinkedIn Learning Champion, beyond measure, who helped me gather information to do this piece

Shelly ??