Make a list of your faculty connections. Consider current faculty or faculty you’ve had in the past who are in your interest area. Look at the department or school faculty directory. Look into their research areas.
Think outside the classroom. Check out upcoming lectures and events on campus to meet faculty members outside of your current courses or major. Consider interdisciplinary research opportunities and how your studies may overlap.
Use your networks! Talk to friends and classmates. If you know someone currently or previously engaged in research, learn what the process was life for them and who they worked with.
Check department and faculty websites for information on research interests and areas of academic focus. Review course listings and syllabi to see what faculty members are teaching. Make sure the faculty member you’re reaching out to is the right one for your job.
Clarify your reason for reaching out. Before approaching a faculty member, make sure you have a clear and concise list of talking points or goals.
Always use honorifics when making introductions or first reaching out. Only use first names or casual names if invited by the faculty member. Check the syllabus or email signature for indication on the best one to use.
Professor: a faculty instructor/researcher
Dr.: faculty and staff with a Ph.D., M.D., etc.
Ms.: female honorific (no Mrs.!)
Mr.: male honorific
Mx.: gender neutral honorific
Email content
Always use a brief informative subject title and formal greeting.
Introduce yourself and provide brief context on the intention of your message.
Include a direct request for their assistance. Be direct with your availability to meet, but flexible to their schedule as well.
Use full sentences and correct grammar and punctuation.
Once you’ve confirmed your meeting, mark it in your Georgetown Google calendar or another calendar. Triple check you have all of your information correct in your calendar, including:
When you are meeting
How are you meeting: in-person, via Zoom, or by phone
Tip: Check in and have a back up plan.
Regardless of how or where you are meeeting, make sure you check your email regularly in case of a last minute change or reschedule. Have a back up plan in case something goes wrong and one or both of you are unable to meet.
Come to the meeting prepared with several topics or talking points prepared. Do some preliminary research ahead of time to show you are committed to and excited about these areas of interest.
Keep up the relationship.
Like any relationship, mentoring needs attention.
Send a personalized follow up email to thank them for their time and note specific parts of the conversation that made an impact on you.
Handwritten notes are a nice touch too!
Maintain the connection by reaching out throughout the semester and onward.
Notes and Tips
Things to Keep in Mind
Faculty are busy. Just like you, they have lives and work outside of the classroom. Be patient while waiting to hear back.
Reach out to more than one faculty member. Even if you don’t work directly with them, creating and cultivating relationships can help lead to other opportunities.
Look beyond the campus community. Create connections through volunteering, internships, and job opportunities.
Things to Avoid
Constant email pings. Following up is great if you haven’t heard back, but don’t constantly email your contact.
Sending generic emails. Be specific in your ask, and share your goals and common interests.