How A College Student’s Cold Email Got My Attention—and a Response
Most people believe cold emails are impersonal and ineffective.
You’ve probably heard it before—“No one actually responds to cold emails.” It’s the reason so many people shy away from sending them, especially students or young professionals. They assume it’ll end up in the dreaded “delete” pile or, worse, go unanswered altogether.
But here’s the thing: cold emails aren’t just a shot in the dark. When done right, they’re a bold step forward—a way to connect, stand out, and make a memorable first impression.
Take this email I received recently:
Subject: Rutgers BASE and Wix Potential Collaboration
Hello Ms. Surma,
I hope this email finds you well!
My name is [Name Withheld], and I am a part of the corporate relations team for the Rutgers University Business Association of Supply Chain Expertise (BASE).
With your vast experience as an education supervisor, enablement manager, and now as a higher education program manager at Wix, I believe your knowledge would be very interesting for students at Rutgers to learn from.
Throughout the semester, BASE co-hosts different types of events (such as info-sessions, case competitions, fire-side chats, speed networking, etc.) with various companies, such as J&J, Estee Lauder, Ross, BMS, Aldi, Kenveu, Colgate, and we would love to co-host an event with you and Wix.
Please let us know if you are interested! If so, we can schedule a quick 10-15 meeting to discuss the details and assess which type of event best fits your needs.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I hope to hear from you soon!
Best Regards,
[Name Withheld]
Here’s what works about this email:
Polished introduction: The sender starts with a clear subject line and an upbeat greeting. It’s respectful and sets the tone.
Personalized research: The sender highlights my role and experience. This isn’t a copy-paste job—they’ve done their homework.
Specific ask: Instead of a vague, “Let’s connect,” they offer a tangible next step: a 10-15 minute meeting to explore collaboration.
Here’s where there’s room for improvement:
Overly formal tone: While professional, the email feels a bit rigid. Starting with "I hope this email finds you well" (which I hate) is overused and impersonal—opting for a conversational opener would make it warmer and more engaging.
Missed opportunity for storytelling: Including a quick sentence about BASE’s mission or a specific success story would make this more compelling.
Overloaded paragraph: The list of event types and company names could be trimmed or split for better readability.
Why This Belief About Cold Emails Is Flawed
The idea that cold emails are ineffective comes from two things: laziness and fear. People either don’t put effort into crafting a good email, or they assume rejection is inevitable, so they don’t send one at all.
But this email proves otherwise. Here’s a college student stepping out of their comfort zone, making the effort to connect thoughtfully. That’s character. That’s boldness.
And you know what? I’m responding to this email.
How You Can Write Better Cold Emails
Step one: Get personal. Reference something specific about the recipient—their work, their interests, or their values. It shows you’re paying attention.
Step two: Be concise. Respect people’s time. A tight, clear message with a specific ask works wonders.
Step three: Add a human touch. Speak like you’re talking to a person, not writing a thesis.
When you do this, cold emails stop being a gamble and start becoming a tool for creating real opportunities.
