Cultivate Your Career!
In order to enjoy the fruits of your labors as a college student, it is vital that you plan ahead to reap a harvest that will sustain you in your future career. Believe it or not, your future career starts in the classroom. Invest in a relationship with your professors so they can vouch for your habits, skills, and qualifications. While others can serve as references, there is a distinct parallel between academic life and your career performance.
- Get to know 2-3 professors well. Get them know your name; talk with them before or after class. Ask for their advice. Form a positive relationship with them. We want you to succeed and get a wonderful job!
- Let your professor know that you are actively pursuing employment and ask if they are willing to be a reference. There may be a reason that they cannot serve as a reference. They need to be poised to respond to those seeking information about you. We know the kind of questions that will be asked: Does this student come to class on time? Do they get their assignments done on time and with quality? Do they get along with you and their fellow classmates? How curious are they to learn new information? Do they push themselves beyond the average expectations? Would you hire them? No professor will lie for you. Demonstrate these qualities in the classroom because they translate to career expectations.
- Inform your professor if changing your name or location. I have had employers call me about a reference for “Jane Jones.” I had to honestly say that I did not know any Jane Jones. Then I found out weeks later, that she had married and was now Jane Adams. That was probable a job loss due to lack of communication with me.
- Keep in touch with the professor. Often we get calls or emails from our graduates seeking recommendations for students to apply for internships and job openings. We can connect you to them. Keep us informed of the status of your job search: Did you get the job? Are you still looking?
- Remember to thank your professor. Sometimes serving as a reference takes much time and effort. I have on a couple of occasions spent two hours on reference calls for students going into law enforcement or the Secret Service where attention to detail, integrity, and character is vital. The employers wanted to hear the tone of my voice as I answered their questions. Thank your prof for their time and interest in you.
It is not always a given that employers will ask for a reference due to legal implications; however, one should be prepared to produce a list of references. Some employment fields such as finance, medicine, law enforcement, etc. will run background checks and even a credit check on future employees.
Always be sure that your LinkedIn site is professional and up to date. Endorsements on LinkedIn can also be helpful. Rather than putting on the end of resume the phrase: “References Available Upon Request,” have ready a list of professors that will vouch for you due to the relationship and work ethic. The way you approach your classroom work and academic relationships can well affect your future career. Cultivate your career now to reap future benefits!
Dr. Jackie Glenny
Professor of Communication
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