The Least Obnoxious Ways to Keep in Touch With an Old Professor

Throughout your academic career, you will have professors who will only exist for you for a semester and will have little effect on your life other than giving you a final grade. This is fine. But there will be those professors who seem to genuinely care about you, are interested in your growth, and may even be inclined to help you with your career in the future. You definitely need to stay in touch with them, but you don’t want to act weird. Of course, it can be awkward to hang out with someone significantly older and more powerful than you, especially someone with whom you shared an unbalanced power dynamic during your relationship. time during my student years. However, you must overcome the discomfort – a closed mouth does not satiate, and a shy ex-student misses out on a job opportunity . be too timid.

Let them know you’re graduating

When graduation approaches, give the professor a thank-you card or a gift, advises Sheyel Rittenbach, an experienced teacher who recently completed her master’s degree (and keeps in touch with her former students and faculty). It doesn’t have to be difficult; you can simply write a note detailing how the professor helped you achieve your goals and sincerely express your gratitude.

But you must also include your contact information. Add your phone number or email address to the map. They will most likely send you short congratulations in return, and now you have established a direct line of communication outside of the classroom.

Find them on social media, but be careful

When social media was a new concept, it was weird as hell to add teachers as “friends” on Facebook. Depending on your relationship, it still might be. Use your own judgment about following a professional on Facebook or Instagram, but if they use Twitter to promote their research or endeavors, follow them there. Of course, the best place for professional communication is LinkedIn, Facebook’s more ordinary and boring brother. LinkedIn was designed to connect with professionals, so you don’t risk coming across as too personal if you find them where every interaction carries the expectation of professionalism. You’ll probably never post something revealing about your personal life on LinkedIn, and it’s unlikely you’ll accidentally find out something weird personal about your former mentor.

But you still have to make that connection. “Make sure you’re active on your page so they [can] learn about your education/career updates,” says Rittenbach, adding that you might even notice changes to their profile, giving you the opportunity to open up lines of communication, a way for them to congratulate. If a former professor takes a job in the industry you studied and has hiring opportunities…well, he already knows your skills, interests, and talents. It’s one foot in the door.

Send sincere updates

Keep in touch periodically by sending updates about your education and career development. As with any relationship, it’s not good if you only show up in their inbox when you need something. A quick note that you’ve reached a milestone is always welcome, if only because it flatters the egos of the instructors who have helped you along the way. Don’t forget to also ask how they are doing, and seriously.

“Professors love to see you grow, but you also want to see what they do because they influence your growth. It’s a win-win thing,” says Rittenbach.

You don’t have to send a long email every time you reach out to them, but you do need to communicate every few months, keeping a positive attitude and being interested in what’s going on. Just don’t bully them all the time. Helping you is no longer their responsibility, so don’t make demands, don’t spam their inbox, and don’t expect instant miracles. Develop these relationships so that you are the center of attention when you need to ask them for a favor or they find out about an opportunity that would be perfect for you.