Overall Ideas about what Professionals In The Field Care About

I suppose I should start by saying that even after a semester in this upper level undergrad. course, and 4 years of undergraduate English major courses, I still can't readily tell you answers to the question. 

I think for me personally, the readings and studies of this course made me go back and think about all the courses I took in college, both in writing classes in the English department, and courses elsewhere. It made me better appreciate what I learned through undergrad., like how to actually introduce a quote properly, write my own citations (as opposed to using an *incorrect* generator), etc. But even more so, it made me better appreciate professors goals within the classroom and that in my own major I was better prepared for my future, not just upper level classes. 

For me, a white, working class, geeky kid at a State college, I was armed to develop a better resume, take on chances in presentations and readings on campus (something I would run from 3 years ago), and learn that the relationships I have with professors are not just within the classroom. I've had 3 or 4 professors approach me about grad. school and offer to mentor me. 

So while I don't have an answer about specifics, I know that people in my field care about me, a student, young professional, and beginnings of career. We have a friendship. Something, I don't think other departments always offer. 

I can say that I think in my experience the professors care about us as students and the future. Not just within the time span of their class, but later on too. 

Scholars all have their own agendas in the classroom. Maybe their deadset on this one book. Or this one lesson. Or feminist pedagogy. But the ones that are dedicated and true educators are focused on getting us all to where our potential can take us. 

And for that, I am extremely thankful. Words cannot describe what I was able to embrace during my final semester as an undergrad. about my department's, (and professors from others) have been able to help me do and fulfill. I feel as though, especially in later years of college, I got the most out of my experience, and I learned about all I could do with my degree. This, I think, is what scholars in the field care about. 

-Jenn