I am always outspoken in the classroom and consistently form relationships with my teachers. This shaped the foundation to my academic success.

When I began my journey at UC Davis, I worried that the types of connections I made with previous teachers would no longer feel possible on a much larger campus. The classrooms are huge and full of hundreds of students at times. I remember thinking that professors wouldn’t remember my name, let alone any of my personal details. So, I started to believe that the new normal was to figure it out on my own.

I am proud to say I was wrong. Not only is it possible to connect with professors, but they’re only some of the many team members available on your campus to support you.

1. Introduce yourself to professors

Connect with your professors as much as possible. I believe it is invaluable to build relationships with them.

Like many undergraduates, I heard the same familiar advice to introduce yourself to your professors. The advice isn’t wrong however it’s only one part of the connection puzzle.

The first course I took with Heather Hether, associate professor of teaching, was a small-group class, “Strategic Communication in Public Relations,” the winter quarter of my sophomore year. She learned my name, strengths and personality, all within two lectures. This incentivized me to go to office hours to review my assignments and approach her after class.

Our relationship was an organic by-product of my attendance, participation and her attention to detail. I took two more of her classes and when asked to help her plan a study abroad campaign, I gladly accepted. We met on campus over a latte. I shared my study abroad experience and recommended ways to encourage my peers to take the leap and study abroad.

In a sea of hundreds of students just like you, it may seem like a waste of time and energy to make yourself known to a busy professor. I encourage you to look beyond that and do it anyway. Introduce yourself and don’t stop there. Participate, reach out and connect with your professors. Relationships develop over time, but only if you are consistent in your efforts.

2. Ask about how to support a teaching assistant’s research

Graduate students are in a unique position to provide relatable, insightful guidance as they are more experienced than you, but still closely connected to the college experience. These are some of the most valuable relationships I formed in my undergraduate years.

Jane Shawcroft was my teaching assistant in the spring quarter of my sophomore year in my “Empirical Methods in Communication” course, a communication research class. I reached out at the end of the course and asked to get involved in her research. I made a strong enough impression that I was invited to join a cohort of undergraduates that supported the collection and analysis of data for Jane’s study. I worked with her and in return, she provided me with graduate school application tips and candid mentorship in the communication field.

When Jane graduated, she recommended me to another graduate researcher, with whom I instantly hit it off. I currently work with this new teaching assistant. She encourages me to explore research opportunities that I’m interested in and is my new campus mentor.

I gained both research opportunities and career tips by connecting with my teaching assistants.  Don’t be afraid to make your voice heard in discussions. Lean on your teaching assistants, that’s what they’re there for!

3. Build relationships with supervisors

On-campus jobs are convenient and often readily available. Supervisors help to guide you professionally and support your career journey.

I am lucky to call the UC Davis Strategic Communications Social Media team, STREAM, my home. I gain valuable strategic communication experience as well as mentors who I encounter on the job. Many of them are UC Davis alumni themselves and relate to me as a current student.

My supervisors often feel like my own personal team of on-campus aunts and uncles. I see them multiple times a week and they are always in the know about my academic, professional and personal life. It also definitely doesn’t hurt that they always have our favorite snacks on hand and create personalized birthday celebrations for all their interns.

It’s important to get to know your supervisors because they help you build workplace skills, share firsthand industry knowledge and introduce career paths you may not otherwise consider.

Get out there and connect

Contrary to my fears in my first year of college, you are not on your own. It is entirely possible to build strong relationships with faculty and staff. They may even end up becoming your most meaningful college relationships.

So, raise your hand, attend office hours and introduce yourself. Most people on campus I cross paths with are just as enthusiastic about meeting me as I am about meeting them. You’ll never know if your next big opportunity is an email or a short chat away if you don’t take the chance to connect.