Can I ask a previous lecturer about research experience?

I’m in my first year of university and I really want to be in social research/ social policy creation when I graduate but many of the jobs require experience (including the graduate scheme). I have a lecturer I really trust who works in that sort of area. Would it be ok to ask them about experience/ a research career even if they no longer teach me?

Hi @Tayto_n1816 ,
This is a great question! I studied anthropology at undergraduate level and also had many lecturers with experience in social research/connections with those working in social policy. Both at that university and where I'm studying now (University of Law), I've found lecturers are more than happy to give advice about future careers - they've been in the same position as you before, they want to help you and love it when students engage with more than just the course material! I'd highly recommend reaching out to your lecturer by email or visiting them during their office hours. Just explain what you've outlined here (your career ambitions, and that you are struggling to find relevant experience) and they may be able to point you in the right direction.
I'd also recommend looking into doing a placement year, if your university offers one. I know a few companies offer these specifically in social research, but consumer research/marketing may also be useful here. I did a placement in marketing between my second and third years of university and found it incredibly helpful in giving me a head start in the graduate job market - it allows you to develop so many skills and make great connections that you simply wouldn't find in a short internship or shadowing experience.
Let me know if you have any questions and best of luck!
Holly - PGDL Student
University of Law
P.S. - Since you're interested in social policy like me, you might also find law interesting (I didn't even consider law until my final year!). Have a look and see if this is in area you could see yourself working in - a postgraduate conversion course is always an option for you

I’m in my first year of university and I really want to be in social research/ social policy creation when I graduate but many of the jobs require experience (including the graduate scheme). I have a lecturer I really trust who works in that sort of area. Would it be ok to ask them about experience/ a research career even if they no longer teach me?

Hi there,
I am a DMU student, so I will be sharing my own experience from De Montfort University, but I hope it is mostly applicable to other universities as well. I am currently looking to start a PhD with cryptography as my main area of interest. Recently, I started reaching out to academics at our university who conduct research in cryptography. Some of the people I contacted were teaching modules on my course, but there were also some whom I had never met personally.
I was very surprised to learn that everyone I reached out to was really supportive and helpful, and did not mind sharing their experience and knowledge with me. So my advice to you would be - go for it
Take care,
Ilya
Cyber Security student at De Montfort University

Thank you! That’s wonderful

I’m in my first year of university and I really want to be in social research/ social policy creation when I graduate but many of the jobs require experience (including the graduate scheme). I have a lecturer I really trust who works in that sort of area. Would it be ok to ask them about experience/ a research career even if they no longer teach me?

I’m in my first year of university and I really want to be in social research/ social policy creation when I graduate but many of the jobs require experience (including the graduate scheme). I have a lecturer I really trust who works in that sort of area. Would it be ok to ask them about experience/ a research career even if they no longer teach me?

Hi there!
I was just wandering if you got a chance to contact the lecturer?
How did they react?
Ilya
Cyber Security student at De Montfort University

I’m in my first year of university and I really want to be in social research/ social policy creation when I graduate but many of the jobs require experience (including the graduate scheme). I have a lecturer I really trust who works in that sort of area. Would it be ok to ask them about experience/ a research career even if they no longer teach me?