Most communications between people in organizations is conducted via emails. Because they are usually a short, quick method to convey a message, some students think they can be written the same way you write a mobile phone text. How you write an email is an indication of how you think. Is it clear? Does it get to the point? Is it grammatically correct? Does it have a proper subject heading hat immediate conveys its purpose? Does it have a call to action or request for an action to follow? Is it a summary of a meeting or a discussion of next steps? Underestimating the importance of an email may be a career killer. It is a paper trail of your follow-ups, assignments, tasks and accomplishments.

1. Create an email addressed to a person you select at the company. In the email, ask for an internship and ask what advice they would give you as a student looking to work there.

2. Put the email to the executive n a Word document. You DO NOT have to send the email, especially if you already have an internship or are not looking for a position for this year. However, you can send the email after you have submitted it for review.