Faculty Networking
Working with your advisor closely is a very beneficial resource. After you’ve begun working with your advisor, you can open the scope to the professors who are interested in your field. You might find that exploring the world of Russian botany literature is your passion and a professor in our department actually did a chapter in his or her thesis on that topic. You’ve opened yourself up to new opportunities and advice by meeting with this professor and sharing your common interest with them. Robert L. Peters notes in his book Getting What You Came For: The Smart Student’s Guide to Earning a Master’s or Ph.D. the importance of making these connections with your professors. He believes that the key to getting the help you need from these potential mentors is to be a friend to them: “Because professors, like most people, help friends and rarely put themselves out for strangers, our goal is to be a friend” (142). In a Master's program, you’ll see that professors are beginning to see you more in the realm of colleague than they had in your undergrad. You can utilize this time to build that friendship with your professors. You could also find that your new mentor knows of faculty around the country that have a deeper understanding of your interest and can lead you to making even more promising connections. Peters speaks to this, advising to “actively make opportunities to get to know other workers in your field… If you admire someone’s work, see if you can invite him or her to visit your department to give a seminar” (142). With Peters' suggestion, you could build another strong relationship with a professor that can open up your research opportunities. Peters also suggests to use any opening you can to make another connection. Even a trip out of town is a chance to visit the local university and meet the scholars in your field (142). |
Faculty networking is where I’ve had a lot of luck in terms of professional development. When I started grad school in the fall of 2015 I was told that it was essential to get in contact with my advisor. I heeded this advice and emailed him. I have been very grateful from the first interactions that my advisor has been incredibly encouraging and supportive toward my future goals and is now my thesis advisor. He has connected me with other faculty in the department with similar interests as me which is helpful when considering those who should be on a thesis committee. He is also retiring next spring, so he’s thrown dozens of books at me to build my own library. |
Derra Clark is graduate assistant teaching ENG 101: Freshman Composition and studying English Language and Literature. Her focus is in American literature. She is specifically interested in nineteenth century women’s conduct and etiquette literature.
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