Mixing
How to properly contact former (academic) supervisor for recommendation letter
Clash Royale CLAN TAG#URR8PPP
.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty margin-bottom:0;
up vote
0
down vote
favorite
My situation is the following (from an European University):
I did a semester project as part of my Master studies (MSc), which went very well (highest grade possible). The project involved theory and computer simulations, and was about 2 months long (full-time position, not paid, actually part of the curriculum).
This was +1 year ago (finished early October 2013), and since then, my former supervisor (PostDoc researcher) left academia to pursue another career path in industry. I contacted him to publish the results in academia in June, and that's why I know his current situation.
Question:
- Should I ask for a recommendation letter from my former supervisor?
A long time has past (+1 year) since the completion of the project, given its short duration (2 months).
Besides that 2-3 emails back in June, I have had no contact with him, and I'm afraid it would come as very cold to ask for the letter directly.
Question:
- What are good ways to ask for a letter in such a situation after little to no contact?
I could really use that letter, as I am at the very beginning of my career, and don't have many other options to get references
Edit:
Wasn't sure about asking here or over at Academia, but since I will be applying to industry positions, I thought it would be best to post my question here.
recommendation-letter
asked Oct 27 '14 at 15:29
titus.andronicus
1509
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
0
down vote
favorite
My situation is the following (from an European University):
I did a semester project as part of my Master studies (MSc), which went very well (highest grade possible). The project involved theory and computer simulations, and was about 2 months long (full-time position, not paid, actually part of the curriculum).
This was +1 year ago (finished early October 2013), and since then, my former supervisor (PostDoc researcher) left academia to pursue another career path in industry. I contacted him to publish the results in academia in June, and that's why I know his current situation.
Question:
- Should I ask for a recommendation letter from my former supervisor?
A long time has past (+1 year) since the completion of the project, given its short duration (2 months).
Besides that 2-3 emails back in June, I have had no contact with him, and I'm afraid it would come as very cold to ask for the letter directly.
Question:
- What are good ways to ask for a letter in such a situation after little to no contact?
I could really use that letter, as I am at the very beginning of my career, and don't have many other options to get references
Edit:
Wasn't sure about asking here or over at Academia, but since I will be applying to industry positions, I thought it would be best to post my question here.
recommendation-letter
asked Oct 27 '14 at 15:29
titus.andronicus
1509
I don't know about Europe, but I think professors should feel obligated to give objective recommendations when requested by a student. Just be polite and professional.
– user8365
Oct 27 '14 at 16:18
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
0
down vote
favorite
up vote
0
down vote
favorite
My situation is the following (from an European University):
I did a semester project as part of my Master studies (MSc), which went very well (highest grade possible). The project involved theory and computer simulations, and was about 2 months long (full-time position, not paid, actually part of the curriculum).
This was +1 year ago (finished early October 2013), and since then, my former supervisor (PostDoc researcher) left academia to pursue another career path in industry. I contacted him to publish the results in academia in June, and that's why I know his current situation.
Question:
- Should I ask for a recommendation letter from my former supervisor?
A long time has past (+1 year) since the completion of the project, given its short duration (2 months).
Besides that 2-3 emails back in June, I have had no contact with him, and I'm afraid it would come as very cold to ask for the letter directly.
Question:
- What are good ways to ask for a letter in such a situation after little to no contact?
I could really use that letter, as I am at the very beginning of my career, and don't have many other options to get references
Edit:
Wasn't sure about asking here or over at Academia, but since I will be applying to industry positions, I thought it would be best to post my question here.
recommendation-letter
asked Oct 27 '14 at 15:29
titus.andronicus
1509
My situation is the following (from an European University):
I did a semester project as part of my Master studies (MSc), which went very well (highest grade possible). The project involved theory and computer simulations, and was about 2 months long (full-time position, not paid, actually part of the curriculum).
This was +1 year ago (finished early October 2013), and since then, my former supervisor (PostDoc researcher) left academia to pursue another career path in industry. I contacted him to publish the results in academia in June, and that's why I know his current situation.
Question:
- Should I ask for a recommendation letter from my former supervisor?
A long time has past (+1 year) since the completion of the project, given its short duration (2 months).
Besides that 2-3 emails back in June, I have had no contact with him, and I'm afraid it would come as very cold to ask for the letter directly.
Question:
- What are good ways to ask for a letter in such a situation after little to no contact?
I could really use that letter, as I am at the very beginning of my career, and don't have many other options to get references
Edit:
Wasn't sure about asking here or over at Academia, but since I will be applying to industry positions, I thought it would be best to post my question here.
recommendation-letter
asked Oct 27 '14 at 15:29
titus.andronicus
1509
asked Oct 27 '14 at 15:29
titus.andronicus
1509
asked Oct 27 '14 at 15:29
titus.andronicus
1509
asked Oct 27 '14 at 15:29
titus.andronicus
1509
1509
I don't know about Europe, but I think professors should feel obligated to give objective recommendations when requested by a student. Just be polite and professional.
– user8365
Oct 27 '14 at 16:18
suggest improvements |Â
I don't know about Europe, but I think professors should feel obligated to give objective recommendations when requested by a student. Just be polite and professional.
– user8365
Oct 27 '14 at 16:18
I don't know about Europe, but I think professors should feel obligated to give objective recommendations when requested by a student. Just be polite and professional.
– user8365
Oct 27 '14 at 16:18
I don't know about Europe, but I think professors should feel obligated to give objective recommendations when requested by a student. Just be polite and professional.
– user8365
Oct 27 '14 at 16:18
suggest improvements |Â
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
up vote
1
down vote
accepted
Well I would ask, I mean worst case they say no.
The best way I can think of would be a fairly boiler plate. "Hello [name and title], I work with you some time ago on [project]. I was wondering if you would be willing to give me a letter of recommendation based on that experience."
Only write that as you would say it, and add any details you feel are relevant. Assuming the individual remembers you in a positive standing I don't see why they wouldn't be willing.
answered Oct 27 '14 at 15:34
RualStorge
9,5372231
suggest improvements |Â
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
1
down vote
accepted
Well I would ask, I mean worst case they say no.
The best way I can think of would be a fairly boiler plate. "Hello [name and title], I work with you some time ago on [project]. I was wondering if you would be willing to give me a letter of recommendation based on that experience."
Only write that as you would say it, and add any details you feel are relevant. Assuming the individual remembers you in a positive standing I don't see why they wouldn't be willing.
answered Oct 27 '14 at 15:34
RualStorge
9,5372231
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
accepted
Well I would ask, I mean worst case they say no.
The best way I can think of would be a fairly boiler plate. "Hello [name and title], I work with you some time ago on [project]. I was wondering if you would be willing to give me a letter of recommendation based on that experience."
Only write that as you would say it, and add any details you feel are relevant. Assuming the individual remembers you in a positive standing I don't see why they wouldn't be willing.
answered Oct 27 '14 at 15:34
RualStorge
9,5372231
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
accepted
up vote
1
down vote
accepted
Well I would ask, I mean worst case they say no.
The best way I can think of would be a fairly boiler plate. "Hello [name and title], I work with you some time ago on [project]. I was wondering if you would be willing to give me a letter of recommendation based on that experience."
Only write that as you would say it, and add any details you feel are relevant. Assuming the individual remembers you in a positive standing I don't see why they wouldn't be willing.
answered Oct 27 '14 at 15:34
RualStorge
9,5372231
Well I would ask, I mean worst case they say no.
The best way I can think of would be a fairly boiler plate. "Hello [name and title], I work with you some time ago on [project]. I was wondering if you would be willing to give me a letter of recommendation based on that experience."
Only write that as you would say it, and add any details you feel are relevant. Assuming the individual remembers you in a positive standing I don't see why they wouldn't be willing.
answered Oct 27 '14 at 15:34
RualStorge
9,5372231
answered Oct 27 '14 at 15:34
RualStorge
9,5372231
answered Oct 27 '14 at 15:34
RualStorge
9,5372231
answered Oct 27 '14 at 15:34
RualStorge
9,5372231
9,5372231
suggest improvements |Â
suggest improvements |Â
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
StackExchange.ready(
function ()
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fworkplace.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f35436%2fhow-to-properly-contact-former-academic-supervisor-for-recommendation-letter%23new-answer', 'question_page');
);
Post as a guest
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
I don't know about Europe, but I think professors should feel obligated to give objective recommendations when requested by a student. Just be polite and professional.
– user8365
Oct 27 '14 at 16:18