Chapter 4 – Networking & Finding Mentors
4.5 Take Advantage of Class Opportunities
Class activities can provide opportunities to build professional relationships, and you can start with your classmates.
Alumni often tell me that their former classmates have become their most valuable professional contacts. They call each other for advice and talk openly about pressures they cannot discuss with coworkers. Sometimes those conversations are about solving problems, and other times they are simply a chance to blow off steam with someone who understands the work.
The takeaway is simple: treat your classmates with respect. Many will become leaders in their fields, and staying in touch can benefit you both personally and professionally.
Good instructors will also create opportunities for you to connect with practitioners in the field.
Director Lydia Mihalik from the Ohio Department of Development visits with first year MPA and MUPD students in October 2024. Special thanks to CSU Government Affairs Director Caryn Candisky for making that event possible.
When a guest speaker visits, take a few minutes beforehand to learn about their work and think of questions that matter to you. This preparation makes it easier to start a real conversation.
After the session, send a short message on LinkedIn or by email to thank them for their time and share one thing you learned. Don’t use AI. Be authentic. Small gestures like this help you open the door for future conversations.
Side Note
I have heard stories from HR officials who interview candidates and then receive a follow-up message that is clearly written by AI. Instead of making a good impression, the message has the opposite effect. The lesson here is simple: your follow-up should sound like you. Authenticity matters more than perceived polish.
Site visits are about meeting professionals where they work. In my classes, you’ll see me asking people we meet: what’s your job title and what do you do? This is good way to lay the foundation for a conversation.
Introduce yourself to the hosts and others you meet, even briefly. Make notes about what they share, and use those details when you follow up later. Mentioning something specific from your conversation shows that you were listening.
Professor Nisha Mistry and senior seminar students met with Cleveland City Council members at City Hall in fall 2024.
Class projects also can be a reason to connect with community leaders or practitioners. If your project relates to their work, reach out to ask for their insights or feedback. You’ll definitely have class projects in your senior seminar course as an undergraduate and your planning and MPA capstone courses as a graduate student. Take advantage of these opportunities to network.
