Ask A Professor: Reaching Out to Expand Your Opportunities
Being a student at Newhouse is like having the meal ticket to the finest buffet of knowledge and advice. However, that buffet is only as good as what you can take from it. And in most cases your schedule will dictate how much you will be able to eat. So, if you find yourself with your eyes bulging at the variety of classes that could be your electives and you realize you cannot take them all, do not fret for there is a solution.
The solution is to simply find out who is teaching the classes that you cannot take and reach out to them. Reaching out can come in the way of either visiting them during their office hours or sending an email. Of course, the COVID-19 situation will now put a unique spin on this but more than likely a solution can be found for the solution of communicating and it will all work out.
For me, I know I was interested in a class or two that were outside of my program and when I realized that I could not take the class or classes I remembered what a classmate told me and that was to reach out. I reached out and explained that while I couldn’t add the course to my schedule I was interested in the subject matter as I wanted to explore it on my own time and the professor worked with me. The person gave me advice as to what to do and I felt as if I had been a student of the class talking with the professor. It was a reminder that just because I am not of that program does not mean that I am not a student of the school.
Reaching out should not be just for a class but feel free to explore events within Newhouse, even if you are not of that program. It is the best way to learn and it is an opportunity to meet people outside your program. For example, there is the Bleier Center for Television and Pop Culture in Newhouse 3 directed by Prof. Robert Thompson. I enjoyed the few times I was able to check out the events put on by the center because it was something different and it was a chance to learn. Or explore other events led by professors. They all welcome those who would like to learn, regardless of program. So, if you see an email about something you like and it is not your program, inquire about it because you never know where it may lead.
Reaching out is just another way to build bridges with those you may not necessarily be able to meet otherwise. It is a way to feel even more part of the school than what you already do, and it is a way to remind yourself that there is more going on than simply your program. Your emails will remind you that also, but the reaching out does it more because it is a reminder of a commitment made to try something new or to not to forget it.
