Connecting with Faculty

By: Christian Ray, Peer Advisor

Are you considering applying for any internships or leadership positions over the next six months? What about scholarships or honors? Even if you answered no to some or all of these, connecting with faculty is still a great thing to do. There are opportunities available which professors and faculty can help guide you towards that you may not even realize exist.

In my experience transitioning from dual-enrollment with a community college to enrollment at a four-year university, connecting with faculty has been a major help. I have been fortunate enough to have teachers write scholarship letters and references for me. These references and letters have played a major role in helping me get to where I am today.

While, admittedly, it can be more challenging to connect with faculty at a bigger school- especially during the pandemic- the opportunities are available if you are willing to put in a little extra effort. There are a variety of ways to connect with faculty, but the most important in my opinion is to be an excellent student. This does not mean making perfect grades, necessarily, but rather, engaging with your professors and learning from them.

Some “best practices” that we recommend to students attending our “Peer Connections for Success” sessions include participating in class, demonstrating respect towards your professors/faculty, asking questions, and attending office hours. Additionally, you might consider practicing some occasional small-talk with your professors either before or after class. Overall, think of connecting with faculty similarly to how you think about networking with recruiters. While you are never guaranteed an opportunity or reference from your professors, your odds will increase substantially if you go the extra mile of getting to know them.

After all, your faculty want to help you succeed as much as possible! However, it can be difficult to recommend or write a reference for a student when you do not know them very well.

Keep in mind, however, that references are certainly not the only reason to get to know your professors or staff within the university. These individuals are often highly experienced and well-connected in a variety of fields. Maybe you are trying to learn more about different career options or working for different companies. Or, perhaps you need wisdom on how to approach a research project. Or, maybe you are just looking for an advisor to help oversee your student organization. These are all areas where having a good relationship with your professors can be beneficial.

If you are still not sure exactly where to begin connecting with faculty, that is okay. The best place to start is simply getting to know your faculty and being ready and willing to learn from them whenever they have something to share. At the end of the day, keep in mind that the faculty members at Charlotte want to see you succeed and they are happy to help you along the way! In many cases, all you have to do is ask!