Plz dont write ur e-mails like dis.
It may present an unprofessional self-portrait to professors, coworkers or employers, which could lead to difficulties maneuvering around the classroom environment or the professional world.
The 19-year-old internal vice president of the Tech Marketing Association said he bought a self-help book about writing better e-mails and letters over the summer to improve his communication skills.
His best advice to students is to avoid online chat lingo.
"You shouldn't write an e-mail the same as you would write a text (message). You don't want to abbreviate." Resendiz said. "It makes you sound more educated and valid."
Resendiz said he avoids abbreviations altogether in his text messages and e-mails. He also punctuates his sentences correctly and uses good grammar, because he said it is one of the best ways to practice professional communication and to avoid slipping up in an e-mail to a professor or employer.
Jay Killough, associate director for University Career Services, said it is important for students to develop good e-mail etiquette in college because it will create a professional image when students transition to a professional job.
"Bad habits could potentially develop if students are used to sending the short text-style e-mails to their
friends," said Killough. "If that slips out into their job, that could mean a talk with their boss early on, which no one wants to have."
He said the most unprofessional e-mail he has received in his experience with career services was an e-mail from a student who asked for help with a resume, but did not include an introduction, a name or any contact information.
"The guy was very nice and a great student," said Killough, "but he made a mistake and sent a text-style e-mail when he was in a hurry. A future employer would not have that at all."
Theodore Cleveland, a civil engineering professor at Tech, said it is critical to know how to write professional e-mails, because e-mails are permanent.
"Most people are forgiving," said Cleveland, "but in the business world you get one shot at a good impression."
In a handout about e-mail etiquette for a freshman-level class, Cleveland also asked students to consider that the receiver may forward the e-mail to people the sender did not anticipate reading the e-mail.
Thus, he said the worst thing a person can do is send e-mails when he or she is angry.
"I know from experience," he said. "You will end up apologizing anyway. So, it's better if you just cool off."
In his handout, he suggested finding a professional tone to convey feelings in person if someone has said or done something inappropriate.
On a lighter note, Cleveland said his biggest pet peeve is e-mailed jokes.
"If the subject line says something like 'Don't read while the boss is looking over your shoulder' I usually toss it away," he said.
His said his main problem with jokes sent via e-mail is the animation or media files do not always work and it is more frustrating than funny.
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