4) Allow the relationship to grow naturally.

It is always important to respect other people's time. You are not intruding as long as you use office hours and keep appointments. The teacher is there to help you. That's part of the reason a teacher went into education: to make a difference and bring knowledge and guidance to young people. Develop the relationship gradually. Don't push it too much. Before you know it, if all goes well, your teacher will anticipate your questions and your visits. Best of all, your teacher will get to know you as a person. Businesses and organizations turn to college professors all the time for help (more on that later).

Remember the example David Glover? He was the accounting executive who, upon learning of a job opportunity, didn't choose Jeff, the young man whom he met once in an informational interview, but did select Susan, the young woman who attends and participates at his church. Without hesitation, he passed a job lead onto the person he already knew.

Similarly with your teacher, you have a choice. You can decide to remain an anonymous, faceless body sitting in a weekly lecture. Or you can become a participant whom that teacher knows and cares about. Then, when your professor sees or learns of opportunities, that professor will want to pass them along to you. The teacher will write letters of recommendation for you. He or she will put you in touch with people who may help you.

When a teacher advises you and guides you, and listens and shares in your hopes and dreams as well as your frustrations, that teacher will have a greater ownership in your career. On a subconscious level, your instructor will care more about seeing you succeed. Why?

Because your success will also be the teacher's success.

Other Opportunities to Build Relationships

Advisors Advisors are not just for students—they are for all people. Career advisors are out there to assist you, as are advisors at your alma mater. Check with your former college and inquire about what resources they may have available for you.

If you meet and do not feel a match between yourself and an advisor, then by all means find another mentor. However, a university advisor (or even a former instructor) can be a great person to start with, especially if you feel anxiety about approaching someone else.

Professional Organizations We have already established that in various professions, everyone knows each other and they often collect through professional associations. Regardless of your level of experience, seek out the organizations that interest you, and attend a few meetings. You will find that this is very easy, and you most often don't have to be a member to attend (although if there is a fee for the meetings, which often have a speaker and a lunch, you might have to pay a slightly higher fee). What an opportunity to meet influential people! You can also receive their newsletters for no charge.

To really benefit from these organizations you should apply the same principles that you apply to volunteering. Beyond doing a good deed, your objectives are to meet people who have the same or similar interests, and to get others to know you.

To gain valuable experience developing skills and working with people, you must put your heart and effort into it. To merely attend meetings and not participate is a complete waste of time. Even worse, to commit half-heartedly and produce poor results can damage your reputation and your future career. Enthusiasm and effort are necessary if you are to profit.

For a more comprehensive list, check out the Encyclopedia of Associations . Most colleges and public libraries have copies on hand, and local editions are published in many communities. Some libraries also make these databases available online. The yellow pages of your phone directory should also have a section called, “Associations, Professional,” or a similar listing.

The above is an excerpt from The Last Guide to Networking You'll Ever Need, which is available for sale for $17 in our bookstore or for free to those who subscriber to our free career newsletter. In this tough economy, people who find jobs usually do so by networking. Written by Keith F. Luscher specifically for the job hunting students and recent graduates with zero to three years of experience who use CollegeRecruiter.com. Are you networking at least two hours a day? Those who are finding jobs are. Don't be left behind. Read this book and you will quickly find a new job. To receive a free copy, subscribe to our free career newsletter.

Career Videos