<p>Hi</p>
<p>How do I find out which professor I should ask to be one of my references. And how many references should I get?</p>
<p>Some advice about cover letters wouldn't hurt either.</p>
<p>I just started 2 research positions in late August, and so far I haven't done anything special to impress my professors. One of these professors have been absent, and I haven't talked to him in 1 1/2 months. In fact, I think the last time I talked to him was when he introduced me to his grad student... As for the other professor, she's the head of the chem e department. She intimidates me, and I don't think I've done anything to impress her either. What worries me is that I've worked for her for about a year with a scientist, who was part time, and didn't give a ***** about the research project. It was not very productive research.... and the professor ended up abandoning the project, and moving me to another project.</p>
<p>I do try to involve myself in the classroom and ask questions. Maybe I can ask one or both of my professors in my engineering classes for references.</p>
<p>First of all, don’t jump too far ahead of yourself. Fewer and fewer employers are asking for references these days. The reason is that it’s a biased sample (of course you’ll only have references who speak highly of you). However if they do ask, the standard is three references (and they’ll usually only call the first one). </p>
<p>Second, if they do ask for references, it will be after the first or second round of interviews. So you have time. First try to find a class in which you are doing very well (most references are things like “this student was in the top 10% of my class”, etc.) Then go to office hours, talk to the professor, have him or her help you with a resume, etc. You don’t want to seem like a kiss-up, so make sure you have a reason to be in office hours (going over a test, a homework, a resume, or asking questions about your future career). However, you need to go enough that the professor knows your name and two or three positive things to say about you.</p>
<p>Also, keep in mind that your references don’t have to be professors. If you had a part-time job in high school or college, you can use your boss. If you did research under a grad student, you can use that grad student. If you serve as an officer for a club on campus, it can be the club advisor, etc. Employers are very lenient on who acts as a reference for co-ops and interns.</p>
<p>tyvm banjohitler</p>
<p>So in the online applications that I have to fill out, there’s a section that lets me attach stuff. This would include the cover letter, resume, and references. This is true for 3M and Intel. Probably none of these companies would hire me, but no harm in applying. anywya, Are you saying that it’s better for me to only attach my resume and cover letter, and do my references when they ask me for them?</p>
<p>They’re asking for a written reference before even applying?</p>
<p>“You can attach files to the candidate record (e.g.: cover letter, resume/C.V., references, transcripts, etc.). Once a file is attached, you can overwrite it by attaching a file with exactly the same name and extension.”</p>
<p>It says the same on every one I’ve encountered so far</p>
<p>Ignore the reference comment unless you have a reference from a congressman, judge, or other similarly high profile person that otherwise wouldn’t be reachable by phone. If a person from within the company is recommending you, I’d attach that as well.</p>
<p>thanks for the advice</p>