The Center for Career and Professional Development holds numerous career fairs for all majors, which are extremely helpful in connecting students with industries. Attending these fairs regularly gets you noticed by the members of the organisations that are tabling, and taking your resume with you to these fairs is a must. Some people even get talking about future opportunities.

The CCPD has a page on Handshake that allows students to book one on one appointments for Resume Reviews, Job search strategies, Career Exploration, Mock Interviews, LinkedIn Assistance, Professional Headshots, and many other services that students can take advantage of.

My tip: when writing emails, assume that the level of formality is high. This tip is often easier said than done since not every email recipient will expect a formal email. In any situation, presenting yourself professionally with a formal email can set the bar high in terms of respect, response time, and understanding. (In a professional setting, who will stand out better for their clothing: the person wearing a suit or the one wearing jeans?) If you already know your intended email recipient or receive a more casual response, you still practiced appropriate email etiquette.

In my own experience, formal emails have also made me feel more confident in addition to being professional. Though I am not yet a professional in my desired career field, writing formal emails is similar to the saying, "dress for the position you want to have." With email etiquette, keeping a high level of formality demonstrates your attention to detail and personal brand overall.

As noted in this week's module, emails are commonly the first impression people experience, so make it a good one!

Knowing how to write a professional email is such an underrated but essential skill. Whether you're reaching out to a professor, applying for a job, or just asking a question, the way you communicate says a lot about you.

Some quick tips I try to follow:

• Always include a clear subject line

• Start with a polite greeting (like Dear Professor Smith or Hello Ms. Johnson)

• Keep the message concise and to the point

• Use proper grammar and punctuation.

• End with a thank you and a proper closing (Best, Sincerely, etc.)

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1. Keep the subject line clear
   – Make it obvious what the email is about, like “Question About PSY201 Exam” or “Meeting Request.”

2. Use a professional email
   – Try to use your school email or one with your name

3. Know who you're talking to
   – Keep it formal if it’s a professor, advisor, or employer. You can be a little more relaxed with classmates.

4. Start with a respectful greeting
   – Something like “Hi Dr. Lee,” or “Good afternoon Professor Patel,”—don’t start with “Hey” in formal emails.

5. Get to the point (nicely)
   – Be polite but direct. Start with a little context and then clearly say why you're emailing.

6. Keep it short and polite
   – Use “please” and “thank you,” and try not to make it longer than it needs to be.

7. Avoid texting language
   – No slang, no emojis, and definitely no “LOL” or “u” instead of “you.”

8. Check spelling and grammar
   – Always read it over before you hit send. Small mistakes can make a big difference.

9. End it professionally
   – Sign off with something like “Best,” “Thanks,” or “Sincerely,” then your full name.

10. Give it time
    – Don’t expect a reply instantly. Wait at least a day or two before following up.

11. Follow up if needed
    – If it’s been a while, send a short, polite reminder—don’t spam them.

I remember in my freshman year of college, I was struggling with doubts about my academic and professional abilities. I was nervous about some of my classes, being in the honors college, and building connections with professors. Someone I looked up to said something so simple that stuck with me: You've made it to this point, and you're here for a reason. Throughout my college career, I have reminded myself of this over and over again. It is easy to doubt, especially when entering a new chapter of life like the beginning of college. A freshman in college, especially, may need to be reminded that they made it to college for a reason, they made it into the honors program for a reason, and they are prepared for what comes next. Sometimes, all you need to do is think back to all the hard work you have done to make it exactly where you are. You are prepared!

Keep it concise- Professors and professionals want to know exactly what you are asking for from the beginning. Talking around the point will only increase the odds of confusion.

Have someone read over your email before you send it.- You may think your point is clear, but having someone else review it will ensure your point comes across exactly as you want it to.

Sometimes it feels like there’s no hope or we are stuck. In those times it’s important to look back at your life and think about all the trials you’ve been through before that. You made it through them!! You learned things and GREW! Now use that to realize you will get through what is next. You will keep going!!

Mind Tools is a comprehensive website designed to help individuals work effectively with others in both professional and academic settings. It features a wide range of resources, including detailed guides and articles covering important topics such as active listening, conflict resolution, and empathy. Users can take interactive quizzes to assess their knowledge and reinforce what they have learned. Additionally, the site explores psychological concepts that provide insights into understanding colleagues and peers better. By fostering stronger relationships and enhancing mutual understanding, Mind Tools aims to create a more productive and harmonious work environment.

I always make sure to greet the person in the beginning of the email, such as "good evening". Additionally, at the end of the email I make sure to include "Kindly," followed by my email signature. I feel that a large part of email etiquette are simple changes that make a big difference in the professional sphere.

Sure, it's important to focus on being professional in an email but also be nice! Appear more then just text on someone's screen, make sure theres a real personal connection there. A well polished email shows that you value their time and take your communication very seriously.

This is an incredibly inspiring community of impactful woman. Selected schoalrs are invited to etiquette dinners, networking events, and socials throughout the year! I would totally recommend any female college student to get involved!

At work I have occasionally replied to all my coworkers when I only meant to email our director. Thankfully it has never been anything crazy serious or awkward but I could have avoided it by being more attentive.

I know freshman year can be stressful, and you might start to feel like you're never getting a break, but all you need to do is take a breath and remind yourself to take each task/assignment/presentation day by day, hour by hour.

You don't have to have a perfect routine already. You have time to figure out what planning works for you and what schedule works for you.