Asking professor for job reference-- how to do it?

The best policy here, as always (if you are on the up and up) is to tell the truth. You have done absolutely nothing wrong, Or unusual! In today's insecure world people move in and out of careers and often return to college for relevant training, without matriculating in degree programs.

I would not ask for a letter for reference by email if you could avoid it. I would email the professor and ask to see her (or him). At this point I would say only that you are seeking a letter of referernce and want to share some relevant information that might be useful in the letter.

When you arrive, you can then explain that you have been in the process of shifting careers, and that you had taken the course to gain an orientation to journalism as a field. You might then state that you had already graduated, but hadn't taken a journalism course previously. You also might ask for further career guidance at this point.

A few words about protocol. If the prof agrees to write the letter say thank you! (Some students neglect this step).

If the professor sends you a copy, write back to thank him or her again.

If he or she offers you some guidance, try to find some way to make use of it, to follow it or modify it for your circumstances, and write to say how useful it was.

A good reference can turn into a mentor, but only if you handle your end of the relationship.

Don't make the assumption that she'll feel mislead. You took a class, and if you didn't present yourself as an undergrad, there isn't necessarily a reason to think that she considered you one.

Just go meet with her, and explain how you took her class because you graduated a while back and you are interested in a new career path. Realize that profs get asked all the time to be references, and this isn't really a big deal. Just tell her that you're inspired now to try to get work in journalism, and since you learned so much in her class, would she mind being listed as a reference. I'm sure she'll do it for you.

Good luck!

If you can meet with her in person and bring your resume, that would probably be best. Otherwise, I think an e-mail with your resume attached will be fine.

As for your undergraduate status, I don't think you should worry too much. Her class roster might have indicated that you were a non-degree student, or she might already have suspected based on the sophistication of your work. In any case, she wouldn't have given you good grades if she didn't think your work was up to snuff.

professors get asked for recommendations all the time. Just give her a phone call or drop by, remind her which class you were in, and ask if she'd be a reference for you. Offer to give her a resume if she wants one to reference when they call her - she'll probably say yes.

Don't worry so much about this job reference. Ask her 'I would like to use you as a reference, then explain that you were in her class and now you are applying for a journalism position at -----. If she says yes, that's great. Don't think she will make you a shoe in. I think you will make you a shoe in, if anyone will:)