Important 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. 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 that have been nurtured during their time at the university. But for some of our upperclass students, they may not have kept in touch with friends over the summer, aren’t feeling like they have a core group of peers or friends, or are feeling isolated as a result of remote environment and physical distancing. The start of a new semester is the perfect time to try new things and for students to connect to new communities. Attending a virtual campus event and exploring student organizations on The Bridge are great ways to meet new people with shared interests and stay connected during this time.
Housefellow or College Liaison
Housefellows are experienced Student Affairs staff members who engage with students through their residence hall experience. College liaisons work with and support students who live off-campus, whether in Pittsburgh or studying remotely from elsewhere. If your student has a general concern or question about their experience at CMU, their 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 become more connected to their advisor as they 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 professors’ office hours and to cultivate a strong individual relationship with at least one faculty member each semester.
Career Consultant
The Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC) is a university-wide resource 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.