The Power of Building Connections at University
University has more to offer than attending lectures, finishing assignments at 11:58pm, and writing midterms in the Exam Centre. It serves as a space fostering both professional and personal development. Yet, forging connections within this environment proves easier said than done. This article aims to motivate you into making those connections to have far-reaching benefits, influencing your academic journey, career, and personal development.
The Benefits
Making connections with your professors can have ever-lasting effects throughout your academic and professional careers. Here are a few benefits that can encourage you to take the next step:
- Deeper learning: Professors are experts in their teaching area, asking questions will lead you in deepening your understanding on the subject matter. Asking questions will also strengthen your ability to ask concise questions, whether in person or through email.
- Research opportunities: Besides teaching, professors often have ongoing research projects that are looking for students both during the school year and throughout the summer. This is great opportunity for work experience early on in your career, especially if you are specifically interested in their research area,
- Teaching Assistant opportunities: Another work opportunity that can come out of making connections with your professors is becoming a teaching assistant (TA). Showing a genuine interest in the subject matter and a care to deepen your knowledge are great attributes for someone who could teach well.
- References: If, like me, you don’t really know what your next steps are post undergrad, a great reference for grad schools comes from professors.
Classmates as Catalysts
Besides your professors, your classmates can often be great connections! The students we meet in clubs, classes, networking events etc. hold a wealth of knowledge we can benefit from. This can come in the form of practicing Leetcode questions, resume reviews or very often the connections we make in school have the chance to share job opportunities from their own network or resources that they come across.
For any driven or motivated student, the benefits sound amazing, but making the move is where it gets a little harder.
Making your Move
When it comes to making connections, this is always the hardest part to put into action. Here are some tips that might make it a bit easier to accomplish:
- Remember that you don’t have anything to lose: Professors come in contact with students all the time. They understand that we might not have a well formed question or be nervous when speaking to them. Remind yourself that whether the interaction goes well or not, that you made an effort and tried. What is the worst that could happen? Your first interaction may not always go as planned, but don’t feel afraid to reach out to more than one professor.
- Start small: Going from a cold email asking to research with the professor sometimes might work but it goes a long way if you already know them before. Make the effort to get to know your professors and break the ice by stopping by their office hours, asking questions after class, etc.
- Joining clubs: A variety of clubs at UofT hold conferences or workshops where students get the opportunity to reach out to professors. This is a great opportunity to meet professors (especially ones you are interested in) outside of the classroom and start to form a relationship!
- Do your research: It may seem like common sense, but make sure that the professors you are reaching out to are ones of interest, have a research group that accepts undergraduates, and you are interested in their work. Before reaching out about opportunities, make sure to have a strong understanding of what exactly they do.
Genuine curiosity is your best friend
When forming any relationship, the most important thing is being genuine. Professors know students and can easily spot genuine interest and curiosity versus a student who only wants the work experience. Try to reach out to professors or form connections that you are truly interested in. Ask genuine questions and make sure to do your research before reaching out and you will be bound for success!
Written by Sarah John.
