Important Student Relationships During the Middle Years
At Carnegie Mellon, we believe that investing in meaningful relationships is invaluable for students and contributes to a truly transformative university experience. Each year, our students meet new people and continue to build their network and web of support on campus. While relationships change and evolve each year, we encourage our second- and third-year students to continue to develop relationships with the following people on campus.
Peers – Second- and third-year students are likely to have some established friendships to return to on campus. But for some of our upperclass students, they may not have kept in touch with friends over the summer or aren’t feeling like they have a core group of people in which they fit. The start of a new semester is the perfect time to try new things on campus and for students to connect to new communities. Attending a campus event, going on a Pittsburgh Connections trip or attending THE FAIR to learn about clubs and organizations are great ways to kick start the new semester and meet new people with shared interests.
Housefellow or College Liaison – Housefellows are experienced Student Affairs staff members who engage with students through their residence hall experience. College liaisons work with students who live off-campus to address a wide range of student concerns. If your student has a general concern or is worried about their experience on campus, the housefellow or college liaison can serve as a main point of contact.
Advisor –Academic advisors are professional staff and faculty members who are a primary source of support for students. As students advance in their majors, they will often get more connected to their advisor who can provide detailed resources on their area of study. Students can utilize their advisors for academic and professional development questions as well as advice on where their strengths and interests align and how to evaluate progress towards established academic goals.
Faculty – As your student enters into more specialized courses in their major, it is important to cultivate strong relationships with faculty members. Professors are the best resource when a student has a question about class material or is struggling in a course. In addition, faculty members can connect students to research opportunities, jobs, write letters of recommendation and serve as references for internships. Encourage your student to visit their professor’s office hours and to cultivate a strong personal relationship with at least one faculty member each semester.
Career Consultant – The Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC) is a centralized career center that supports students with career exploration, networking and experiential learning. Each academic college has specialized career consultants who can help students develop their career path from choosing a major, writing a resume or learning how to interview. Encourage your student to meet with their career consultant to get connected for summer internships or the job search.