Here Are 7 Strategies for Connecting with College Professors

Building a professional network with your college professors shows you understand the importance of creating meaningful relationships with influential people.

As pointed out in our previous article, developing first-class networks while still in school is key to your success. Being a student offers many opportunities to increase your spheres of influence, including cultivating relationships with your professors. And you need to take advantage of the possibilities!

What should you keep in mind when doing so? Implement these seven strategies to help you create significant connections with college professors:

Be a good student

Give your professors a valid reason for wanting to foster a connection with you. Show them you want to do well in school and be a good student. Be accountable for your actions and have the right mindset and habits in place. Demonstrate you can be trustworthy and go to class and turn in assignments on time. Participate in conversations and ask good questions. You only get one chance to make a first impression!

Reach out

Communicate with your professors through email, LinkedIn, or request to meet after class or during office hours. While many in-person appointments are currently unavailable you can utilize Zoom and other video chatting resources for a discussion. Let them know how impressed you are with them and what makes them influential. Inform them of the value you have gained through the knowledge you learned in their particular class.

Ask for advice

Inquire about their career path and what got them to the point they’re at now; seek their guidance around what you can currently be doing to ascertain your specific goals. Then be sure to follow their advice! Utilize their real-world experience and insights for your own success. You can even take it a step further and ask them to be a mentor, which is extremely beneficial while you’re at school and also when embarking on your career.

Give back

It’s not only about what they can do for you! Request their assistance in learning what kind of value you can offer to them. Building connections is a two-way street and there must be give and take. Is there someone in your networks you can introduce them to? Do you possess a specific skill that could help them along on a project? Consider the benefits you can provide not just for them—but also their networks.

Say thank you

One way to give back is to extend gratitude. A personalized thank you note goes a really long way! And not many people think to do it, so doing so helps separate you from others. Tell them thanks for their guidance on a project, or advice regarding a career path, or really anything worthy of a thank you. This definitely makes a lasting impression.

Keep it going

Be sure to keep in contact throughout your college years and also after you graduate—this is very important! Your professors can write letters of recommendation and act as a reference in various situations. Plus, you should WANT to extend your relationships with your professors as you embark on life after college; they’ve become a special part of your spheres of influence who can continue to make an impact for years to come.

Become a NetWorkWise Certified Professional (NWW-CP)

Do you truly understand what networking really is? When you’re in the right mindset and understand how to build relationships with your college professors, doors will open for you. You can learn how to cultivate these important connections and relationship-building habits by enrolling in our certification program. Once complete, you receive credentials validating you as an expert in creating world-class relationships. Sign up today and become a NetWorkWise Certified Professional (NWW-CP)!

Taking the time to establish meaningful connections with your college professors will help separate you from your peers.

You will be recognized as someone who realizes the importance of relationship-building and how networking the right way will empower your success. Those you connect with in college will remain in your circle for years to come, I promise you this! So take advantage of the opportunities and follow these steps to improve your networks—it’s never too early to start.

This post originally appeared on Quora