Updates:

Mentors and E-mail: Objective of this month's e-mail

1. What is the difference between the e-mails you write to friends, family and others vs. what you use for work? 

Activity #1– write a list of purposes and differences – compare the two. 

Activity #2- student writes a sample business e-mail and use it as your ‘base’ to learn to improve. 

2. Learn why you are required in this e-mentoring program to use your college/work e-mail vs. home/personal e-mail to communicate? 

Activity #1 – Research stories on line and talk about the use of personal e-mail accounts when used for business (this may lead to some discussion about Sarah Palin, other government entities or private)  

Activity #2 – Mentor and student each create a system on their computers to follow the e-mail communications. This is a folder in the inbox and may need explanation on how this is done. In order to assure that they have been following this the next month, you should verify that they have an e-mail from the previous month. 

Activity #3 – Discuss implications of other online activities while at work and using a work computer – specifically checking Facebook, LINKedIN. Is there a policy at your work? Can you share that with them? Would this be something that you recommend they inquire about when they begin working somewhere? Why or why not? 

3. Learn to write a business style e-mail and for what purpose – what should it include, when is e-mail more appropriate than getting up and talking to colleagues in your office, when to use copies, when to ‘Reply All,” when (if ever) would you Blind Copy. 

Activity #1 – Read “Golden Rules of E-Mail” – see PDF

Give examples of your own use of e-mails and when you have been mis-interpreted and why; explain that e-mails are your companies property that they are ALWAYS retrievable and what that means

Activity #1 – View the following website http://www.videojug.com/interview/body-of-a-business-e-mail-2

Students: write a business e-mail to your mentor based on the information from this video. The scenario you are writing about should be an inquiry into the business and types of employees that they may be seeking now or in the future.

Mentors: Evaluate the student’s e-mail and prepare your own e-mail that can be used as an example OR prepare your response as an example of a business e-mail.