“Smile, You’re On LinkedIn,” a new event sponsored by the Alumni Association, will offer students free professional photos for their LinkedIn profile at Career Services’ annual Job and Internship Fair from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday.

“We have to think of the students’ needs, and right now, with social media and the job market the way it is, we see a need for it,” said Carrie Circosta, assistant director for Student and Recent Graduate Programs for the Alumni Association.

Hannah Sharma, a graduate assistant at the Career Services Center, said she agrees that the market is changing and networks such as LinkedIn are a good way to adapt.

“We partnered with the Alumni Center because we think it is important to convey the best presence you can online,” Sharma said. “We are encouraging those looking for a career to market themselves any way they can, and in this time we’re in right now, social media networking is a big part of that.”

Sharma said that other universities have successfully hosted events like “Smile, You’re On LinkedIn,” but this is the first year it will be incorporated into Kent State’s job fair.

Circosta said that the photo service will be free to students and can be used for any online profile, including blogs and online newspaper profiles.

“People (who) come to the job and internship fair are in professional attire when they arrive, so it is just another way to help them market themselves with that,” Circosta said.

The photos will be emailed to participants in seven to 10 business days.

For more information go to ksualumni.org or kent.edu/career.