Well, if I could send a short message to myself 15 years back in time, I'd tell myself that - specifically, tell myself that professors and TAs seem disengaged or dumb mostly because they're being forced to teach outside of their direct area of research or expertise, and those same scholars will be thrilled and super-engaged if you approach them to learn about their research. Something I learned just as I was leaving the university.
(That, and investment tips, obviously.)
However, very much like the article claims, I feel that me 15 years ago wouldn't be truly moved and convinced by this message. Hell, I'm sure I must've read or heard that advice many times in my early university time - but I never stopped to actually process it.
> seem disengaged or dumb mostly because they're being forced to teach outside of their direct area of research or expertise
It depends on the people. I had a great fun teaching at the university as a PhD student, because I loved to teach. I obviously liked to teach what I was working on, but also very much other areas. The main reason being that I only truly understood them when teaching - it is by far (for me at least) the bast way to really learn something.
(That, and investment tips, obviously.)
However, very much like the article claims, I feel that me 15 years ago wouldn't be truly moved and convinced by this message. Hell, I'm sure I must've read or heard that advice many times in my early university time - but I never stopped to actually process it.