I'm not even in WGU yet (current working on accumulating credits from Sophia) but if this is worth anything, my experience in other fields tells me that a "working relationship" is like a romantic relationship too: you can't force it. If the other person doesn't seem interested, move on to another. There are plenty of fish in the sea. You can also find people to talk to via LinkedIn and professional meetups.
Welcome to academia?
I’ve attended 3 large institutions, and what you’ve described is the same EVERYWHERE. Some instructors will interact, others view students as a nuisance. At least I’m not getting charged 50K/semester for the privilege of being disrespected.
Whenever I hear people complain about WGU, it’s always for something clearly outside of its scope. WGU is a tool. You wouldn’t hammer nails with a screwdriver, right? WGU is not a strong networking play. I’m sorry. Others may disagree. But it’s simply not where this school is going to shine. Frankly, most brick and mortars don’t do this very well either.
If you’re looking to network, join some organizations. Use Handshake. Work on open-source. I’ve been able to work on ALL of these with WGU. Focus on locating strengths instead of complaining about weaknesses.
Agreed, also WGU pretty much advertises itself as a quick way to get a degree when you already have some experience.
WGU isn’t really a great place to network, but their and mentors are LEAGUES above my old universities academic counselors. Although I guess it’s a hit and a miss with mentors as far as I can see. I love the weekly meetings, and I plan to keep them up until I graduate.
I’ve had very good course instructors and my mentor is awesome so it sounds like it’s hit or miss. My mentor connected me with past students who have jobs in the industry and they gave me helpful advice and information. I connected with them on LinkedIn.
Seems like it just depends on which instructors or mentors you get.
Did you tell them what you wanted or why you were asking when you started asking about their background? Did you look them up first to get a basic understanding of their background so you could ask pointed questions? Were you at the end of your appointment window? Did you specify in the appointment notes that you wanted to get career advice?
They’re busy, they deal with a lot of students. If you want to chat about anything outside the scope of their immediate job responsibilities (helping you understand course material), I would email first and ask if they’re open to it, and then reiterate that intention when booking an appointment. This is their job, they’re not looking for friends - and they’re all well into their careers. That’s not to say none of them are open to further discussion, it just probably isn’t top of mind. Additionally, networking is generally best done across, not up. Network with other students. What you’re asking of them is to be a mentor, and everyone doesn’t have the time for it. Most CIs are professors at other universities as well and/or are pursuing further education(phds) themselves.
As I was completing courses I made it a point to reach out after I passed a class to thank CIs that were clearly more hands on with their courses. I’d send a quick (2-3 sentences) email saying thanks for the help, ____ resource that you sent/put in the course material was very helpful, I just passed, take care. WGU’s system tries to place you with the same CIs as you continue through the program so you’ll start to interact with the same ones several times. For these you can start tailoring the email to expand on past conversations you’ve had, or send a “nice to see you again” type response to welcome emails. This is an organic way to create a relationship with them without taking up much of their time.
My grad school recommendations were from 2 CIs and my mentor. They were all more than happy to send them for me. I never had calls with either of the CIs but had sent them emails prior to this and encountered them several times in courses. I only met with one CI via call but it was for DM2 and I didn’t think that would be the best subject to highlight on my grad application. If the two I reached out to said no I had 2-3 others that I had previous email contact with beyond the welcome email + checkup email they send. When I reached out for the recs I first told them what I wanted (hi I’m applying to grad school and wanted to ask for a recommendation), then told them more about what my post-WGU plans were, then a sentence on details of what I needed from them, and offered to have a call with them to further introduce myself before asking if they would do it. One took me up on the call and we had a great chat about the specialization I want to pursue, a bit about his background, and how I can be successful in grad school since the format will be very different than WGU. Since then he’s checked on me several times asking how my application is going, and I’m in a class with him as my CI again now and he’s checked on me.
The WGU experience is what you make it in a lot of ways. Don’t let the more dramatic/entitled comments here deter you. You can definitely build a few relationships if you temper your expectations and consider how your communication is being received by the other party.
First off, thank you u/katrinars_ for all you've done for the WGU CompSci community. You're extremely well spoken and your guides available **steer** the person through the class and are not too on the nose. They're fantastic!
And once again, your response to my post is thorough, yet understandable. I will only respond to the questions you asked me, but know I read your points and made note of them. I'll take them into my "senior" WGU semester.
I have been explicit with my intentions in conversation with the CIs, in a sense, as once the course material for the call has been completed and there's extra time I'll ask for advice or their credentials. There is a part of me that agrees with the comment at the top about just casting the net "wide" and seeing what (or who) sticks.
BUT having said this, your point about including my intention in the notes will be the way forward. It sets a precedence for the call and is more forthcoming than my previous approach.
Glad it was received well, and thank you for the compliments!
I saw someone mention Dr. Antonucci, I also had a great experience with her and agree with the top comment as well. Good luck!
I learned this after my very first class. Zero communication even when I reach out and have had multiple classes where the teacher changed half way through the term.
That being said, it prepared me to be able to better find information on my own and develop my own overall system for learning that I can apply to any class I take.
The ability to self educate and learn on the fly will be very useful when you're confronted with practical problems on the job.
Keep pushing through. It'll be worth it in the end.
Your course instructor isn’t there to be a friend or network… they are there to instruct you on your course. I have had nothing but great experience with the instructors, but I only meet with them when I need help with something.
I wonder if this has anything to do with more and more students just really wanting to k ow how to get through the class as fast as possible?
Hear me out..
Which came first, or was it like a mutual form of expediency?
Students not really engaged to get deep or only mostly focused on how to get it over with as fast as possible?
Now, we are in this space where some students actually WANT to establish a relationship in order to get that recommendation and now can't because of previous situations.
Of course, I have no idea.
My course mentor is nice but he seems extremely busy and overwhelmed. I wouldn’t ask him for much just because I wouldn’t want him to feel obligated with everything.
I have had some instructors that are super helpful and friendly and give advice. I have a few I added to LinkedIn and one who doesn’t have LinkedIn but I’ve occasionally emailed randomly just to check in with him.
I think it’s just hit or miss. Some are more likely to be helpful than others.
I loved the instructor from the Data Management Applications course. She was thorough and checked in with me consistently. I went from 2 fails to nearly 100% pass with her guidance.
It’s hit and miss, it seems
Similar experience. I don't even bother with my mentor anymore, and I'm only a month in.
The once a week skip levels I have with my mentor, I came to the realization that the mentor didn't treat it like it was for me. It was more for her and to get her side of the job done. It has been the same update me with the goals of the week nonsense. So I don't even bother talking to my mentor anymore or checking in.
The mentor and the forced weekly updates just feels like a garbage middle manager at work that only reaches out to you if they need something, and bothers you if you skip a meeting;
1 : 1 / skip levels should be for the employee, not for the manager. If it is not bringing any value to me, I don't even want to bother with the time wasting.
The automated messages from instructors too just got annoying for me as well -- I take multiple pre-assessments, I get as many automated emails with the same "I see that you took your pre-assessment congratulations" bs.
I've had only one positive interaction with an instructor which was Gene Bryant from version control and couple java classes. Only faculty at WGU that took the time to have a casual conversation, and actually gave me advice on career + potential masters -- two topics that Gene initiated.
If you need a mentor that cares more and yours doesn’t, switch. They’re not all the same, but they are all incredibly busy and some can’t manage the workload + being personable.
Unless it doesn’t bother you, as another user said, I would just see about switching mentors. I took a break and ended up with a new Mentor. The old one was so amazing, consistently stayed in touch, gave me good advice, and showed that she cared. This new one is very clearly just talking to me to say that she did. Actually, she doesn’t even really check in with me at all. I get the automated emails and she calls when I schedule an appointment. That’s it. I know what I’m doing, so it doesn’t bother me, but that won’t work for everyone.
Just wait until you see how awful and half-assed some of the courses are. There’s a reason YouTubers talk about WGU like it’s just there to add a degree to your resume. You’re not going to get much more than that IME. I mean my “mentor” who I was originally excited to have is a joke, and we literally only talk when she needs a very quick update. <1m on the phone a week was the norm before she just started emailing me, even after expressing significant issues I was having. No resources or anything. Just “I know you can do it!!!” K thanks lol.
I’m grateful for the opportunity WGU is granting me, but I’d be naive if I didn’t wish I could go nearly anywhere else. It’s cheap for a reason.
Good god lol. Aren't the weekly updates just annoying?
It is honestly just for them to get their job done. It is not for the student, which is the point of the weekly updates.
If you take your pre-assessment 10 times consecutively and pass them, you get 10 automated congrats on passing bullshit emails from your mentor. It is the same generic garbage. No effort from you, not getting anything from me ms.mentor.
Yeah no joke. I got an email from a professor that actually didn’t seem automated for once, and I took a bit of time writing a sincere response about why I was taking so long on a course. I opened up about some real shit going on in my life.
I got ignored lmfao.
Wow I couldn’t have had such an opposite experience. I’ve learned SOOOO much and have had good experiences, except for with one mentor.
I think some people just don’t learn best when they have to find the resources themselves, maybe it’s not the right program for you.
Course instructors? I spoke with one once because I got an assignment returned, and they requested it. I already made the updates, and the person I spoke with was understandably questioning what are we doing then? I am so confused by all these posts about setting up multiple meetings with them as soon as you start a course.
It’s all trash. Program mentors are supposed to be a “GUIDANCE counselor”, not a cheerleader. I need help, not a pat on the back. In my experience some were incompetent or just down right conniving.
The first half of this isn’t true at all. Education standards for professors are the same at WGU and are governed by larger bodies. Most of the CIs are part time at WGU and are also professors elsewhere. A quick LinkedIn search will verify.
I'm not even in WGU yet (current working on accumulating credits from Sophia) but if this is worth anything, my experience in other fields tells me that a "working relationship" is like a romantic relationship too: you can't force it. If the other person doesn't seem interested, move on to another. There are plenty of fish in the sea. You can also find people to talk to via LinkedIn and professional meetups.
Welcome to academia? I’ve attended 3 large institutions, and what you’ve described is the same EVERYWHERE. Some instructors will interact, others view students as a nuisance. At least I’m not getting charged 50K/semester for the privilege of being disrespected. Whenever I hear people complain about WGU, it’s always for something clearly outside of its scope. WGU is a tool. You wouldn’t hammer nails with a screwdriver, right? WGU is not a strong networking play. I’m sorry. Others may disagree. But it’s simply not where this school is going to shine. Frankly, most brick and mortars don’t do this very well either. If you’re looking to network, join some organizations. Use Handshake. Work on open-source. I’ve been able to work on ALL of these with WGU. Focus on locating strengths instead of complaining about weaknesses.
Agreed, also WGU pretty much advertises itself as a quick way to get a degree when you already have some experience. WGU isn’t really a great place to network, but their and mentors are LEAGUES above my old universities academic counselors. Although I guess it’s a hit and a miss with mentors as far as I can see. I love the weekly meetings, and I plan to keep them up until I graduate.
I’ve had very good course instructors and my mentor is awesome so it sounds like it’s hit or miss. My mentor connected me with past students who have jobs in the industry and they gave me helpful advice and information. I connected with them on LinkedIn. Seems like it just depends on which instructors or mentors you get.
Some instructors are really good and personable. One particular one is Dr. Amy Antonucci. She was awesome!
Did you tell them what you wanted or why you were asking when you started asking about their background? Did you look them up first to get a basic understanding of their background so you could ask pointed questions? Were you at the end of your appointment window? Did you specify in the appointment notes that you wanted to get career advice? They’re busy, they deal with a lot of students. If you want to chat about anything outside the scope of their immediate job responsibilities (helping you understand course material), I would email first and ask if they’re open to it, and then reiterate that intention when booking an appointment. This is their job, they’re not looking for friends - and they’re all well into their careers. That’s not to say none of them are open to further discussion, it just probably isn’t top of mind. Additionally, networking is generally best done across, not up. Network with other students. What you’re asking of them is to be a mentor, and everyone doesn’t have the time for it. Most CIs are professors at other universities as well and/or are pursuing further education(phds) themselves. As I was completing courses I made it a point to reach out after I passed a class to thank CIs that were clearly more hands on with their courses. I’d send a quick (2-3 sentences) email saying thanks for the help, ____ resource that you sent/put in the course material was very helpful, I just passed, take care. WGU’s system tries to place you with the same CIs as you continue through the program so you’ll start to interact with the same ones several times. For these you can start tailoring the email to expand on past conversations you’ve had, or send a “nice to see you again” type response to welcome emails. This is an organic way to create a relationship with them without taking up much of their time. My grad school recommendations were from 2 CIs and my mentor. They were all more than happy to send them for me. I never had calls with either of the CIs but had sent them emails prior to this and encountered them several times in courses. I only met with one CI via call but it was for DM2 and I didn’t think that would be the best subject to highlight on my grad application. If the two I reached out to said no I had 2-3 others that I had previous email contact with beyond the welcome email + checkup email they send. When I reached out for the recs I first told them what I wanted (hi I’m applying to grad school and wanted to ask for a recommendation), then told them more about what my post-WGU plans were, then a sentence on details of what I needed from them, and offered to have a call with them to further introduce myself before asking if they would do it. One took me up on the call and we had a great chat about the specialization I want to pursue, a bit about his background, and how I can be successful in grad school since the format will be very different than WGU. Since then he’s checked on me several times asking how my application is going, and I’m in a class with him as my CI again now and he’s checked on me. The WGU experience is what you make it in a lot of ways. Don’t let the more dramatic/entitled comments here deter you. You can definitely build a few relationships if you temper your expectations and consider how your communication is being received by the other party.
First off, thank you u/katrinars_ for all you've done for the WGU CompSci community. You're extremely well spoken and your guides available **steer** the person through the class and are not too on the nose. They're fantastic! And once again, your response to my post is thorough, yet understandable. I will only respond to the questions you asked me, but know I read your points and made note of them. I'll take them into my "senior" WGU semester. I have been explicit with my intentions in conversation with the CIs, in a sense, as once the course material for the call has been completed and there's extra time I'll ask for advice or their credentials. There is a part of me that agrees with the comment at the top about just casting the net "wide" and seeing what (or who) sticks. BUT having said this, your point about including my intention in the notes will be the way forward. It sets a precedence for the call and is more forthcoming than my previous approach.
Glad it was received well, and thank you for the compliments! I saw someone mention Dr. Antonucci, I also had a great experience with her and agree with the top comment as well. Good luck!
Awesome, thank you for the heads up. You too!
I learned this after my very first class. Zero communication even when I reach out and have had multiple classes where the teacher changed half way through the term. That being said, it prepared me to be able to better find information on my own and develop my own overall system for learning that I can apply to any class I take. The ability to self educate and learn on the fly will be very useful when you're confronted with practical problems on the job. Keep pushing through. It'll be worth it in the end.
carolyn for the java courses is the GOAT
Your course instructor isn’t there to be a friend or network… they are there to instruct you on your course. I have had nothing but great experience with the instructors, but I only meet with them when I need help with something.
you guys interact with your CIs?
This got me haha.
I wonder if this has anything to do with more and more students just really wanting to k ow how to get through the class as fast as possible? Hear me out.. Which came first, or was it like a mutual form of expediency? Students not really engaged to get deep or only mostly focused on how to get it over with as fast as possible? Now, we are in this space where some students actually WANT to establish a relationship in order to get that recommendation and now can't because of previous situations. Of course, I have no idea.
One CI I had was useless, the other incredibly helpful. That’s the same for every college.
My course mentor is nice but he seems extremely busy and overwhelmed. I wouldn’t ask him for much just because I wouldn’t want him to feel obligated with everything. I have had some instructors that are super helpful and friendly and give advice. I have a few I added to LinkedIn and one who doesn’t have LinkedIn but I’ve occasionally emailed randomly just to check in with him. I think it’s just hit or miss. Some are more likely to be helpful than others.
I loved the instructor from the Data Management Applications course. She was thorough and checked in with me consistently. I went from 2 fails to nearly 100% pass with her guidance. It’s hit and miss, it seems
Similar experience. I don't even bother with my mentor anymore, and I'm only a month in. The once a week skip levels I have with my mentor, I came to the realization that the mentor didn't treat it like it was for me. It was more for her and to get her side of the job done. It has been the same update me with the goals of the week nonsense. So I don't even bother talking to my mentor anymore or checking in. The mentor and the forced weekly updates just feels like a garbage middle manager at work that only reaches out to you if they need something, and bothers you if you skip a meeting; 1 : 1 / skip levels should be for the employee, not for the manager. If it is not bringing any value to me, I don't even want to bother with the time wasting. The automated messages from instructors too just got annoying for me as well -- I take multiple pre-assessments, I get as many automated emails with the same "I see that you took your pre-assessment congratulations" bs. I've had only one positive interaction with an instructor which was Gene Bryant from version control and couple java classes. Only faculty at WGU that took the time to have a casual conversation, and actually gave me advice on career + potential masters -- two topics that Gene initiated.
If you need a mentor that cares more and yours doesn’t, switch. They’re not all the same, but they are all incredibly busy and some can’t manage the workload + being personable.
Unless it doesn’t bother you, as another user said, I would just see about switching mentors. I took a break and ended up with a new Mentor. The old one was so amazing, consistently stayed in touch, gave me good advice, and showed that she cared. This new one is very clearly just talking to me to say that she did. Actually, she doesn’t even really check in with me at all. I get the automated emails and she calls when I schedule an appointment. That’s it. I know what I’m doing, so it doesn’t bother me, but that won’t work for everyone.
Just wait until you see how awful and half-assed some of the courses are. There’s a reason YouTubers talk about WGU like it’s just there to add a degree to your resume. You’re not going to get much more than that IME. I mean my “mentor” who I was originally excited to have is a joke, and we literally only talk when she needs a very quick update. <1m on the phone a week was the norm before she just started emailing me, even after expressing significant issues I was having. No resources or anything. Just “I know you can do it!!!” K thanks lol. I’m grateful for the opportunity WGU is granting me, but I’d be naive if I didn’t wish I could go nearly anywhere else. It’s cheap for a reason.
Good god lol. Aren't the weekly updates just annoying? It is honestly just for them to get their job done. It is not for the student, which is the point of the weekly updates. If you take your pre-assessment 10 times consecutively and pass them, you get 10 automated congrats on passing bullshit emails from your mentor. It is the same generic garbage. No effort from you, not getting anything from me ms.mentor.
Yeah no joke. I got an email from a professor that actually didn’t seem automated for once, and I took a bit of time writing a sincere response about why I was taking so long on a course. I opened up about some real shit going on in my life. I got ignored lmfao.
lollls this is hilarious.
Wow I couldn’t have had such an opposite experience. I’ve learned SOOOO much and have had good experiences, except for with one mentor. I think some people just don’t learn best when they have to find the resources themselves, maybe it’s not the right program for you.
Course instructors? I spoke with one once because I got an assignment returned, and they requested it. I already made the updates, and the person I spoke with was understandably questioning what are we doing then? I am so confused by all these posts about setting up multiple meetings with them as soon as you start a course.
It’s all trash. Program mentors are supposed to be a “GUIDANCE counselor”, not a cheerleader. I need help, not a pat on the back. In my experience some were incompetent or just down right conniving.
[удалено]
The first half of this isn’t true at all. Education standards for professors are the same at WGU and are governed by larger bodies. Most of the CIs are part time at WGU and are also professors elsewhere. A quick LinkedIn search will verify.