As highlighted in an article by Live Career, “learning how to connect with your peers, professors, and community is crucial for both personal and professional development”.
Professors, in particular, are invaluable resources from whom you can learn more about different areas of interest and opportunities within the field.
Wondering how to best connect with them beyond the classroom? Here are a few tips to keep in mind, whether you’re just starting the program or continuing:
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- Research your professors to get a better sense of their background, interests, and achievements
- When reaching out to schedule a meeting, provide a very brief overview of your goals and interests and why you want to meet (e.g. what you hope to learn)
- Make the most of the time you have with them by coming prepared with targeted questions
- In all your interactions, whether virtual or in-person, be open, sincere, and mindful of how you communicate
- Ask for feedback and keep them updated on any developments, especially if you’ve followed through on any advice they gave you
Professors will likely be more receptive to your outreach while you’re a student, so be sure to take advantage of the opportunity before you graduate. This also applies to building relationships with peers, supervisors, and administrators. Investing in this effort will not only help you stand out and stay memorable, but it can also potentially open doors for years to come!