Cultivating Faculty Relationships

Why are these relationships important?

Strong relationships with faculty members may open the door to exciting opportunities and provide many benefits, from academic guidance and letters of recommendation to mentorship from leading experts in the field. While it may seem intimidating to reach out to a professor - especially one whom you have never met - establishing these connections not only can be incredibly meaningful for your college experience but also positively shape your future goals.

Identifying potential mentors

Inventory faculty connections in your academic department, determining which ones share your interests and to whom you feel particularly connected. Research relevant UMass academic department pages and faculty websites, read about faculty research, applied work, and specializations, and identify professors with relevant expertise. Talk to your peers. Ask for suggestions of professors whom your friends know or have worked with and identify those whose areas of focus align with your own. Aim to identify five to ten potential mentors. To increase your connections with potential mentors, be proactive in getting to know faculty members and other students. Consider volunteering to work on research projects with professors.

Maintaining relationships

Don’t be afraid to reach out to professors from your past. Maintain these past relationships by reaching out, identifying your recent work, goals, and other relevant information, and scheduling a meeting to discuss any updates. Most importantly, understand that student- professor relationships are a two- way street. Most of the time, faculty members are excited to serve as mentors and want to share their experiences with you