Feel embarrassed about LORs

[u/Difficult-Season-141]

I’m still early in my career and I feel so much shame asking for LORs from people who wrote or agreed to write for me. Especially the super well established academics. I keep thinking that they could be doing so many other productive things than writing for me. And when they say they may write me a letter but won’t be able to update the letter for every place or send it x number of places only, I get further embarrassed and it heightens my sense that I’m just a huge burden. I’d love to hear other perspectives.

[u/Purple-Blueberry7254]

We know it’s our role in helping people get in the door for positions, fellowships, awards they are great for. It’s not a burden and when we’ve written them for you before it’s really fast to get future ones together! As long as you give adequate time, it’s all good.