Great News – Technology is providing a ‘career lift’ for women, instead of them struggling up the dreaded ladder.

Nivea, the skincare brand undertook a #BringItOn study. Designed to examine current attitudes to subjects as diverse as education, career, technology social media, relationships, role models and celebrity. More than 2,700 UK* women responded.

And contrary to the common portrayal of young women as celebrity obsessed selfie-takers, wrestling with self-confidence and body issues, the findings offer an alternative perspective on a generation of girls comfortable in their own skin, driven by opportunity and liberated by technology.

I helped Nivea to analyse the data and it’s not surprisingly that technology is fuelling female ambition, with 87% using social media to ‘get my ideas out there’. Three out of four (76%) believe technology can speed career success, while 85% agree the internet is creating a new generation of female digital role models. Even the ubiquitous selfie might be on the wane, with 76% declaring them ‘over’, preferring instead to point their camera outwards.

Technology is powering the ‘career lift’, rather than the rigid career ladder of the past. Female filmmakers go from You Tube to Soho or even Hollywood in just a few years. Beauty bloggers review make up ranges, and go on to design their own. This contraction of ‘career time served’ is of huge appeal to a generation brought up with the immediacy of a digital world, with bloggers and vloggers now just as likely to inspire young women as ‘traditional’ professionals.”

Initiatives like the What I See Project and Cherie Blair Foundation use technology in innovative ways to empower women and spread a global message.

This is heartening news for women who may have to take a career break for caring responsibilities, or who meet the glass ceiling. The new generation of young women are not letting anything stop them achieving. I like to call them Happenistas – they make things happen, but with their own individual style and on their terms.

Here are 3 tips to make the most of LinkedIn to start powering your very own career lift.

1. A full profile.

That includes as much detail as you want to share, what you do, qualifications, presentations, videos and it must include a photo of you. Let your personality shine through. Get that photo uploaded today

2. Group Creation.

What I love about groups is that you bring your tribe together. You attract people who are interested in the same things that you are. Groups are a great source of ideas, feedback, challenge and support.

Feel free to join my RockingYourRole group

3. Consistency & Quality

People will need to see you regularly to get to know you, you should really be posting daily. Secondly your message should be consistent. Use your authentic voice. Lastly, Join groups that are of interest to you, comment on others posts and start discussions.

Think about the global audience you can now reach without even leaving your desk. How cost and time effective that is.

Are you a Happenista? How are you using technology to provide a career lift?

Find out more about the Happenista Project