Most scientists aren't very intentional about crafting their personal brand.
Maybe they think it's something only influencers or business people need. Maybe they feel their research speaks itself and they don't need more than a Google Scholar profile to boost their visibility. Maybe they haven't even heard of the concept.
But the truth is, everyone has a personal brand.
It's what others see in you. And if you don't craft this image of yourself, others will. So, it's advisable to reflect on who you want to be in the eyes of others and how you can show these parts of yourself to the world.
Here are three ways your PhD journey can help you with that:
Your topic. No brainer. You are the expert of your PhD topic and nobody is better equipped to talk about it.
Your network. The PhD is also a time where you make many professional contacts. Carefully choose which networks you want to become part of depending on where you're headed with your career.
Your unique set of hard and soft skills. In your PhD you'll learn a ton of new skills. Not only scientific methods but also stuff like project management, writing, public outreach, data management, etc. Combined with your personal talents and interests they most likely make up a suite of skills that not many others have to offer.
Take home message: Your value to future employers is not only defined by the usefulness of your topic. It's the combination of assets that become your personal brand. Find ways to showcase them!
What's your personal brand?