Networking: How to connect with my MSF program director who's an ex-MD?
Hi guys, I will be attending an MSF program in the upcoming fall and the program director is an ex MD at a top PE. He will also be teaching one of the courses I think. I have networked with analyst/associate in BB and MM during undergraduate but most of them are alumnus especially greek life/finance club alumnus so the relationship was closer. But I have never networked with someone at a senior level who also happens to be my program director. Could you guys give me some advice on the right ways to approach? I am assuming he will have a very friendly attitude since he is in higher-ed now. I guess my goal is just to build a long term relationship and get to know more people in banking in the area. Any general networking advice with senior levels/professors is appreciated. Thanks in advance!
be respectful, ask for advice/career guidance, follow his/her directions to a T, show them you implemented said advice and improved, thank them for their help, congrats you’ve got a mentor for life
thanks a lot!
If he is now a director for an MSF program as his full-time job, he should be very comfortable and used to students coming to him for career advice. While there is a chance he is a jerk (they exist at universities too), he probably wouldn't do that job unless he liked helping people and students.
So, just email and ask to talk, explain what you are doing, what you want to get out of the program, etc. I wouldn't ask for connections or stuff like that up front, just get to know each other and get advice. Once you have taken his course (and hopefully you do well), then you can ask for letters of recommendations/connections/referrals/etc. The key is frequency over time, first contact is just get to know you/general advice.
I've held a similar type role in past-career-life, you would be shocked to know how few students take the time to reach out and ask for advice/help. The key is following up and building a relationship. A director of an MSF program is likely to field a lot of inquires from firms looking to hire from it, you want to be on top of mind when he needs to send a short list of grads along to a top employer. This is easier than it seems, so few put in the effort.
Really appreciated the advice. Do you think I should shoot him an email now introducing myself or wait until when the program actually starts in September? Thank you.
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