Please and Thank You

written by Paige Annee

The first few weeks of my junior year have been full of many learning experiences. From starting my first on-campus internship, taking on a semester full of Public Relations courses, and hosting sorority recruitment, I have had to practice balancing my time and energy. Though, one thing that I have learned is that in times of stress, there will always be people to lean on. We should always be sure to thank those who are there to help us out, both in our personal and professional lives.

As I returned home from classes one day last week, I checked my mailbox and found a letter. After a few weekends of recruitment, my sorority had recently hosted our annual “Bid Day” to introduce our new members to the rest of the chapter. The letter was from a mother of a new member, and she thanked me for helping her daughter find her home at Alpha Phi. 

Reading the letter reminded me of one of the biggest lessons my mom had ever taught me: always remember the value of a thank-you note. Growing up, I was forced to write a thank-you letter for EVERYTHING. I wrote them to my grandparents for my Christmas gifts, to my carpool drivers for taking me home from school, and to my friends for making a list of the homework assignments I had missed while I was absent from class. Taking the time to write these letters always annoyed me, but now I realize how impactful it can be to give a little love, especially when it comes to growing your career.

Writing a thank-you letter is not only an act of kindness, but it is a networking opportunity as well. It is a great way to be remembered by your colleagues and future employers.

So here is my advice: write a thank-you note to your favorite professor for opening your mind. Write one to the awesome TA you had last semester that wrote a recommendation for your study abroad application. Write one to the manager of your summer internship. It may seem simple, but this small act of kindness can leave a huge impact. It is so nice to feel appreciated, and reminding others of the impression they had on you can leave you in good standing for your future career endeavors. So stop what you’re doing, drive to Target, buy some stationary, and get writing.