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5) Campus Leverage
TA / RA roles (credibility + income)
Teaching Assistant (TA) and Research Assistant (RA) roles are the gold standard of on-campus jobs. They often pay better than cafeteria or library jobs. More importantly, they give you Expert Credibility. Being a TA shows you mastered a subject so well that the university trusts you to teach others.
In the US, a professor is more than just a teacher; they are a gateway to the industry. Many professors consult for big companies or sit on boards.
- Don't just be a face in the crowd. Go to Office Hours. You don't even need a hard question, just go to discuss a recent news article in your field.
- When a company asks for a reference, or a recruiter asks a professor, "Who is your best student?", you want your name to be first. A strong recommendation from a respected professor can bypass the HR software entirely.
Free Resource: How to Build Relationships with Professors
Resources
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