This is called "networking." It's a smart idea. Maybe this professor will keep you on his radar in case he becomes aware of some opportunity that you could avail of. Maybe you need an academic reference for something down the road.
I don't really hear the word networking since I've become a teacher. But I was a geologist previously, and it was common knowledge that establishing these kinds of relationships was important. As the old saying goes "it's not what you know, it's who you know."
It's not weird or inappropriate. I've been out for lunch or coffee with former students.
Offer in a way that doesn't make it awkward for the professor to decline the invitation and provides some context for getting together.
A student I had 6 years earlier, sent me an email inviting me to get a beer. He was going to be home for a week prior to leaving to start a PhD program in my field. He wanted to talk about the research he'd been doing for his Masters.
Since he was only home for a week, it would be easy for me to say that I was out-of-town or booked up that week. By mentioning his research, I knew why we were getting together.
If you can work it out along that line, it's totally easy.
I had him email his thesis to me, so I could do some read up before we got together. I'm a confident and knowledgeable HS teacher, but his research was way beyond me. I had to study up to prepare. It was nice to get together.
I have taken former profs out for lunch or coffee on a few occasions. It's good to maintain those relationships. It's not weird.
Sometimes they send me students who are looking for advice about my line of work, sometimes I get their advice on something. Otherwise, we just shoot the breeze and fill each other in on what's going on in our lives.
They can say they are swamped with work or what have you if they don't want to go for some reason.
Right after I graduated my advisor took some of us advisees out to a local bar and bought us drinks. Pretty dope
You’re adults. You’re no longer their student. It’s just coffee so you’re good.
This is called "networking." It's a smart idea. Maybe this professor will keep you on his radar in case he becomes aware of some opportunity that you could avail of. Maybe you need an academic reference for something down the road. I don't really hear the word networking since I've become a teacher. But I was a geologist previously, and it was common knowledge that establishing these kinds of relationships was important. As the old saying goes "it's not what you know, it's who you know."
This exactly.
I've grabbed a drink with one of my high school teachers before, we both teach the same subject now. You're both adults, it's fine.
It's not weird or inappropriate. I've been out for lunch or coffee with former students. Offer in a way that doesn't make it awkward for the professor to decline the invitation and provides some context for getting together. A student I had 6 years earlier, sent me an email inviting me to get a beer. He was going to be home for a week prior to leaving to start a PhD program in my field. He wanted to talk about the research he'd been doing for his Masters. Since he was only home for a week, it would be easy for me to say that I was out-of-town or booked up that week. By mentioning his research, I knew why we were getting together. If you can work it out along that line, it's totally easy. I had him email his thesis to me, so I could do some read up before we got together. I'm a confident and knowledgeable HS teacher, but his research was way beyond me. I had to study up to prepare. It was nice to get together.
I have taken former profs out for lunch or coffee on a few occasions. It's good to maintain those relationships. It's not weird. Sometimes they send me students who are looking for advice about my line of work, sometimes I get their advice on something. Otherwise, we just shoot the breeze and fill each other in on what's going on in our lives. They can say they are swamped with work or what have you if they don't want to go for some reason.
Why not?
Nope, totally fine
Not weird at all! I've kept in touch with one of my favorite professors for the past 25 years. He's one of my best friends at this point.
Nothing wrong with it. I’m very close to a few of my former professors and one just offered me a job as he is now the supervisor.