Email Etiquette for Student Employees

Key wellness / self-care / productivity strategies (Email etiquette for student employees)

Use email at the right times

• Treat email as a tool for sharing information, clarification, and follow-ups.
• Avoid using email for sensitive or “charged” topics—handle those in person or via face-to-face dialogue.

Apply the “Billboard Test” (privacy + professionalism)

• Before sending, ask:

  “How would I feel if this email were printed on a billboard for the whole world to see?”

• If it feels embarrassing or anger-inducing, rewrite.

• Reminder: the more “forwardable/printable” something is, the more likely it can reach unintended recipients—so stay consistently polite and kind.

Maintain a professional tone

• Start with an appropriate greeting and respectful title (e.g., Mr., Ms., Dr., Professor).
• If you’re unsure of someone’s title, look it up before emailing.
• Avoid emojis and shorthand slang (e.g., “lol,” “tbh”).
• Proofread before sending to prevent avoidable mistakes.

Make it easy for others to help you

• Include all necessary details up front (so the recipient doesn’t have to “dig”).
• Add links and attachments when relevant.
• Use clarity to reduce back-and-forth, especially since recipients may handle 90+ emails per day.

Presenters / sources

• No specific presenter name or source is provided in the subtitles.