Email gets a bad rap, especially for high schoolers. For a lot of us, it’s that thing that fills up with spam and unread newsletters. Email is also one of the most underrated tools you have to open doors.

I’m talking about doors to internships, competitions, research labs, partnerships, and opportunities you might not even know existed. If you learn how to use it strategically, email can basically become your personal career amplifier, even as a teen.

I realized the power I could hold when I was looking for ways to get involved beyond my school projects. I wanted to dive into real-world issues and stuff that mattered, to build experience that felt meaningful.

That’s how I ended up at ThinkNeuro LLC, a social enterprise that blends neuroscience research with public health. My journey there is a good example of how intentional emailing can create opportunities that might have seemed out of reach, so let's walk through what I did and how it can help you, too.

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Why Email?

Before you even open your email client, it helps to be clear on why you’re reaching out. Emails work best when they’re goal-oriented. Are you looking for an internship, a chance to collaborate on a project, guidance from a professional, or feedback on a competition submission? Knowing your goal shapes the tone.

For me, it started with two goals. I wanted hands-on experience in research and analytics, and wanted to do something helpful for the community. Referencing the initiatives I was involved with at the company, how my skills could help, why I was motivated, and initiatives I'm working on, I reached out to college students and talented members of my internship to join me in a collaborative research project beyond the internship experience. Specificity shows that you’ve done your homework.

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Will My Email Just Go To Spam?

A lot of teens think outreach emails need to be super formal, but in my experience, both a conversational and professional tone works best. You want your email to feel like someone you could meet in real life.

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The Subject Line is Super Important

This is the first thing someone sees, so make it clear and concise. Something like: “[ThinkNeuro Internship] Former Harvard OpenBio student is offering you a sustainability research opportunity.” Avoid generic lines like the dreaded “Internship Inquiry.”

Introduction With Context

Open with who you are and why you’re writing.

For example: “Hi there! My name is Azzy, and I’m a dual enrollment student at The Ohio State University who recently learned about your co-involvement with ThinkNeuro's work on LEP populations, and was inspired by what you did over the course of the internship. I wanted to offer you a special opportunity because of your demonstrated talent..."

You’re setting context and giving them a reason to keep reading.

Show Value and Clean Up the Little Things

This is the part where a lot of teens trip up, where they ask for opportunities without showing what they bring. I make sure to highlight my skills, past experiences, or even unique perspectives. For instance, when I cold-emailed professors to speak at an event my organization was hosting, I referenced my experience with research and the organization's important mission of giving minorities access to scientific opportunities.

There is a difference between “Can you speak at my event?” VS “You can do this for our team, and here’s how we're motivated to make an impact.”

I usually finish by suggesting the next step, while keeping it flexible. Such as, “I would love the opportunity to discuss how you could contribute to our project impacting 75,000+ students. Could you let me know your thoughts and get back to me when you can?” This gives them an easy way to respond.

Before you hit send, read it out loud. Typos or unclear phrasing can bust professionalism. It takes a few extra minutes but dramatically increases your chances of getting a response. (It's still important to be conversational and authentic, though!)

The coolest part about using email effectively is that it can take you to places you never imagined. For me, emailing members of ThinkNeuro led to multiple projects. I was able to contribute to research and outreach strategies that were directly aimed at environmental justice, education, drug delivery research, etc. Exposing yourself to more people professionally via email is eye-opening.

When you can, just reach out and express your interest and show prior engagement. Some emails I've sent have led to summer-long projects and international awards.

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A Couple More Tips

Some big takeaways that can make or break the opportunity.

Don't recklessly use your personal email account.

Your email address is part of your first impression. If your account is something like “cutiepie123@gmail.com,” it’s worth creating a more professional handle, or using a work email. Personally, I reach out with my university email that ends in osu.edu. You don’t need a corporate-level email, though, just make sure you're not going overboard.

Think twice before you reach out.

Spend time understanding the person or organization you’re emailing. Read their website and LinkedIn. Referencing specific work shows that your email isn’t generic and that you’re genuinely interested.

Hang on to everything.

Keep a spreadsheet of who you’ve emailed, when, follow-ups, etc. Timing can matter, and staying organized makes sure you don’t miss opportunities that otherwise would've never surfaced.

Stay motivated, even when everyone ghosts you.

Not every email gets an immediate response, and that’s COMPLETELY okay. A polite follow-up a week or two later can make all the difference. Keep it concise: “Hi, I wanted to follow up on my previous email regarding [SOMETHING]. I’d love the opportunity to contribute and would be happy to provide more information.”

Be mutually beneficial, AKA reciprocal.

Show you'd love to contribute, are inviting them to something cool, or are eager. Feel free to also go beyond research, cold emailing, and internships. That's stereotypical.

You can enter competitions, submit creative work, request mentorship, or collaborate on projects. For example, you can use email to pitch ideas for joint projects and ask for advice on publications.

Don't yap...

People are busy. Aim for one to two short paragraphs that provide enough detail but don't make reading a chore.

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What Next?

When someone finally responds positively, that’s your chance to show follow-through. Schedule calls promptly and prepare thoughtful questions. This is how you move from a simple email introduction to a real opportunity.

When I reached out via email to ask people questions and propose collaboration opportunities, I documented everything and even posted about it to my peers. This amplified what I learned and helped build a personal network.

Spamming outreach may seem like something only college students or professionals do, but starting in high school gives you a massive advantage. Teens can be underestimated, which works in your favor if you approach it strategically. People are often impressed by initiative and curiosity, and email is the simplest way to demonstrate both.

You also learn how to communicate clearly, and build skills that will last for a long time. Not just for college applications, since email will always be around and is a tool that can be used in every field.

After my internship at ThinkNeuro LLC and connecting with fellow members, I started connecting with other organizations on related projects and even mentored peers on research techniques I had learned. It's a literal chain reaction, and taking that first step seriously amplifies your impact.

Start small. Show them what you can bring to the table. Your next big opportunity might be one “send” away.

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