My marketing professor recently gave a lecture on resumes with some wisdom on the side. We then got on the topic of references and professors. She stated that all professors want to help students, will listen to you, and if a professor says they don't want to help you, "...to send them her way so she can have a discussion with them." Yes, my marketing professor is great. However, she discussed something I feel very passionate about: utilizing your professors. Your professors are professionals with knowledge and experience in the field you want to break into; why wouldn't you want to pick their brains and get to know them? So here are my reasons why I feel you should always be in your professor's office hours, asking their opinions, asking their advice, and asking for their help.
1.) NETWORKING: You should be constantly networking and looking to make connections. Your professors, whether they be academics or "retired from their careers" to teach, have established themselves in their respected fields; they are excellent networking sources. I posted last month about how after explaining to one of my communication professors that I wanted to go into political PR, he offered me the chance to get in contact with one of his own personal contacts, who happens to be a former Presidential speechwriter. Who knows who's in your professors network, which is why you should be using that to your full advantage. Another story that recently happened to me was during my marketing class (why is everything happening during my marketing class?) My marketing professor showed her resume during class as an example for an assignment, I saw that she used to work for a PR agency I was looking at for a summer internship, I asked if she could put me in contact with the internship coordinator, and she said she'll personally deliver my resume to the owner. BOOM! Reach out and see what happens.
2.) MENTORS: Your professors can become great mentors if you allow it and you can have multiple mentors. I would consider my first marketing professor to be my mentor. I took her class Spring 2013 and we have kept in touch ever since. We have established a connection because I took an interest in her opinions, history, and her experience. Possible mentors are always looking for someone who is eager and hungry to learn. I allowed my passion to show and my marketing professor took an interest in that. I always email her updates on my professional success stories and when I ask for advice, she responds in kind. Your professors wants to pass on their knowledge to you and the good professors want you to learn. Take advantage of this great opportunity, go into some office hours, and visit your professors!
3.) REAL-WORLD KNOWLEDGE: The best professors lecture about whatever theory/chapter you're on and then pulls their life experiences as an example. Now, I am not talking about their personal life, and while that can work, I am referring to the real-world knowledge they have. I'm taking about my PR adviser who speaks at conventions and runs her own PR business. Or if you need a more universal example, take Condoleezza Rice. In case you did not know, Condoleezza Rice was the Secretary of State during President Bush's term. After her position, she began teaching political science and business at Stanford University. Can you imagine taking a class from her and learning all her real-world knowledge? Your professors have experience and knowledge and they are offering it to you. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT!
I strongly believe in connecting with your professors. It can be so beneficial when it comes for career advice, references for internships or grad school, mentoring, etc. So if you've read this, go visit your professors during their office hours and start making those connections. Have you connected with your professors? Is one of your professors your mentor? How has it worked for you? Leave a comment or let me know over Twitter! Until next time...
~Selina
1.) NETWORKING: You should be constantly networking and looking to make connections. Your professors, whether they be academics or "retired from their careers" to teach, have established themselves in their respected fields; they are excellent networking sources. I posted last month about how after explaining to one of my communication professors that I wanted to go into political PR, he offered me the chance to get in contact with one of his own personal contacts, who happens to be a former Presidential speechwriter. Who knows who's in your professors network, which is why you should be using that to your full advantage. Another story that recently happened to me was during my marketing class (why is everything happening during my marketing class?) My marketing professor showed her resume during class as an example for an assignment, I saw that she used to work for a PR agency I was looking at for a summer internship, I asked if she could put me in contact with the internship coordinator, and she said she'll personally deliver my resume to the owner. BOOM! Reach out and see what happens.
2.) MENTORS: Your professors can become great mentors if you allow it and you can have multiple mentors. I would consider my first marketing professor to be my mentor. I took her class Spring 2013 and we have kept in touch ever since. We have established a connection because I took an interest in her opinions, history, and her experience. Possible mentors are always looking for someone who is eager and hungry to learn. I allowed my passion to show and my marketing professor took an interest in that. I always email her updates on my professional success stories and when I ask for advice, she responds in kind. Your professors wants to pass on their knowledge to you and the good professors want you to learn. Take advantage of this great opportunity, go into some office hours, and visit your professors!
3.) REAL-WORLD KNOWLEDGE: The best professors lecture about whatever theory/chapter you're on and then pulls their life experiences as an example. Now, I am not talking about their personal life, and while that can work, I am referring to the real-world knowledge they have. I'm taking about my PR adviser who speaks at conventions and runs her own PR business. Or if you need a more universal example, take Condoleezza Rice. In case you did not know, Condoleezza Rice was the Secretary of State during President Bush's term. After her position, she began teaching political science and business at Stanford University. Can you imagine taking a class from her and learning all her real-world knowledge? Your professors have experience and knowledge and they are offering it to you. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT!
I strongly believe in connecting with your professors. It can be so beneficial when it comes for career advice, references for internships or grad school, mentoring, etc. So if you've read this, go visit your professors during their office hours and start making those connections. Have you connected with your professors? Is one of your professors your mentor? How has it worked for you? Leave a comment or let me know over Twitter! Until next time...
~Selina