How to Network with Faculty
One of the greatest resources available to students in the Farmer School of Business is the faculty. They can help you with your classwork, but they can also help you with life after college. The faculty of FSB have a huge amount of connections and knowledge in different industries, and they always love to help students out and give advice. Below is a list of tips to help you develop connections with your professors!
- Start with an informational interview about their career, or ask for help outside of class. Go to office hours and talk to them in class or make appointments to see them if they aren’t your professor. This is a great time to tell them what you are interested in and see what advice they have for you.
- Treat them as a professional. It is important to remember that they have years of experience and connections, and not to approach them as you would a friend you’re passing by on the street. Use professional formats when emailing and communicating with them, and talk to them with respect.
- Ask your professors how best to utilize what you learned in class in an interview. For example, if you are taking a sales class, you could ask to do a mock interview with them in sales.
- Keep in touch with past professors. You can do this by dropping by their offices, or scheduling a time to meet. Past professors can be a great resource, and they already know what your strengths and weaknesses are.
- Do not assume they will help you. Be gracious for any advice they give you. The faculty is not there to find you a job, but is there to guide you towards success.
- If a faculty member reaches out to someone for you, ALWAYS respond. Follow their lead with where the conversation is going, whether they are giving you advice on how to enter the industry or offering you an opportunity to do so where they work.