Take the relationship gradually. Don't push it too much. Before you know it, and if all goes well, your teacher will anticipate your questions and your visits. Best of all, your teacher will know you as a person. Businesses and organizations turn to colleges all the time for help. If an instructor learns of an opportunity (not necessarily a job, but a need that must be filled), that instructor will think first of those students he or she knows. It is not enough for you to know the instructor... the instructor must know you.

You have a choice. If you decide, you can remain an anonymous, faceless member sitting before a weekly lecture. You can also, if you decide to, become a person: someone that teacher knows, and cares about. When they see or learn of opportunities, they will without question pass them along to you. They will write letters of recommendation. They will put you in touch with who they know.

When they advise you, when they guide you, when they listen and share in your hopes, dreams, as well as your frustrations, they will have a greater ownership in your career. On an unconscious level, they will care more about seeing you succeed. Why?

Because your success will be their success.

Keith F. Luscher is a consultant, speaker, and author of the book Don't Wait Until You Graduate! How to "Jump-Start" Your Career While Still in School, available in your local bookstore. He invites--and responds to--your questions, comments and experiences. He can be reached via e-mail at keithluscher@aol.com . Copyright, 2001 by Keith F. Luscher.