Since I'm still ABD, I don't know for sure what my relationship with my current advisor will be when I'm done. However, I will say that I stay in touch with two of my professors from my M.A. (which, granted, was at a less high-stakes kind of school), and that relationship has yielded not only wonderful friendships, but also on the professional end, a lot of important insider advice, a possible conference collaboration (still in the works) and two very much needed adjunct jobs for me.
Even when I applied for my MA and was nervous (having been out of undergrad for quite a few years before returning) about contacting my undergrad profs for recs, I was surprised at the warmth of their responses and their willingness to write good recommendations for someone who hadn't even contacted them in a long time.
I am a shy person as well, and I never do the other shmoozy things we're supposed to do (i.e. introduce myself to people at conferences, colloquia, etc), but I do think staying in touch with advisors is a good idea. I know it's hard because it's a reminder of what we haven't done, but I feel like they aren't usually judging us when they get an email or postcard (ok, some probably are, but hopefully they are in the minority). The best thing, it seems to me, is to keep in touch occasionally, so that you're not just contacting them when you need something, but even if you only contact them when you need something, I think that's ok. After all, we're supposed to be becoming professors because we want to teach, guide, and mentor others, so why should we think our advisors don't want to teach, guide, or mentor us? Plus it's in the best interests of a university to have former students who have good jobs, tenure, books, etc.
I agree with turquoise stuff -- just send an email, or a clipping you thought was interesting, anything. It doesn't have to be big, and one doesn't have to be honest about wallowing in depression and guilt over not having a job/publication/whatever.
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Posted by Poppy Red to academicsecret at 8/10/2006 02:40:46 PM
