Because you familiarized yourself with various university organs during your freshman year – financial aid, library resources, tutoring programs, learning center, counseling services, etc. – you can find them more easily now that you may need them.

Moreover, because you introduced yourself to personnel at each unit, they may be more likely to provide assistance above and beyond that which they are required to provide. One example of this is your early trips to your school’s career services office.

As the summer after your sophomore year approaches, you will be looking for an internship to provide: (1) practical experience to compliment your in-class learning (ideally, related to your major), (2) the opportunity to establish professional contacts outside of the university, and (3) potentially, a way to earn some money during the summer.

Having a personal relationship with the staff at the career services office can help you in your search for the right internship in a t least three ways; by: (1) helping you craft a winning résumé, (2) demonstrating effective interviewing techniques, and (3) perhaps most importantly, providing information and assistance that others without a personal rapport may not be privy to. This may include information about internships that has not yet been published to the broader university community or a personal telephone call on your behalf to employers. In sum, building relationships early with administration can pay dividends later in your college career.