Why Your Teachers and Fellow Students Are Some Of The Best Connections You Can Make

Photo credit: news.rutgers.edu

It’s easy to forget that the real world exists outside of your college, whether they be ivy-covered or cinderblock. Your schedule revolves around three-hour classes, study sessions, the next sports game and what the dining hall is serving tonight. However, the real world is a little closer than you think. The people you see day-in and day-out could be your best connections when you begin building your bright future.

Take your professors. Contrary to popular belief, they aren’t plugged in five minutes before class starts and returned to the storage closet at night. They’re intelligent and enthusiastic human beings who are here to share their knowledge with you. And chances are, teaching isn’t their only job. Many probably teach part-time and still work or participate in their chosen field. They are the best in their industry—so take advantage of their presence! Ask them for guidance on a paper, or drop by their office hours for career advice. Get their email after the class finishes and file it away.  These experts are here to help you for the next four years—use their experience to help you learn and grow. You may not have such easy access to these kinds of people as you take your first entry-level job, so take advantage of their presence now.

Also, connect with your fellow students. You work together on class projects and in extracurriculars. You all bring unique skills to your institution.  You could be working with the next Marissa Mayer, Hillary Clinton, or J.K. Rowling. Friend your peers on Facebook and LinkedIn, exchange emails. Making these connections now will help you down the line; maybe the kid who made a PSA with you for your government class can help you film something at your future job, or maybe you can lend your scientific or literary expertise to someone else in your graduating class. Networking with them before you graduate will help you stay in touch so you can help each other.

Establishing these connections over the next four years will help you tremendously. Not only will you learn from the diverse voices of your professors and classmates, you’ll also establish a network of talented people as you begin your career.