Beyond the Inbox: Mastering Professional Emails

On August 26, 2025, the School of Sciences at CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Pune Lavasa Campus, took a proactive step toward student empowerment by hosting a pivotal workshop titled “Beyond the Inbox: Mastering Professional Emails.” This event, led by the astute Assistant Professor Aaron George, was a targeted and timely intervention designed to arm first-semester students with a skill that is as fundamental as it is often overlooked: professional written communication. Held at 3:30 PM in the Smart Room of the Central Block, the session was a well-received initiative for a diverse group of new students, including those from the BSc Economics, Statistics, BCA, and BSc Computer Science with Data Science programs.

In an increasingly digitized world where a significant portion of our daily interactions happen through a screen, the ability to compose a clear, effective, and professional email is no longer just a soft skill—it's a critical professional competency. Recognizing this, the workshop’s primary goal was to bridge a crucial skill gap that many young students face as they transition from high school to university life. The session provided a strong, foundational roadmap, ensuring students were prepared to communicate effectively with faculty, peers, and administrators from the moment they began their academic journey. It underscored that a well-crafted email can not only convey information but also build a positive rapport and project a sense of respect and professionalism.

Assistant Professor Aaron George delivered the workshop content with a blend of practical advice and structured, easy-to-understand guidance. The session delved deeper than just the mechanics of writing, focusing on the essential elements of professional email etiquette that can make or break an interaction. Students were taught the art of crafting compelling and concise subject lines that ensure their messages get opened and prioritized. They learned about structuring their content logically for maximum impact, moving from the most important information to supporting details. The workshop also placed a strong emphasis on maintaining a respectful and professional tone, which is vital for all formal and semi-formal communication. By highlighting the common pitfalls—such as informal language, excessive emojis, and a lack of a clear call to action—the session helped students learn to avoid misunderstandings and project a polished image.

The success of the "Beyond the Inbox" workshop was a direct result of its practical and timely focus. By specifically targeting first-semester students, the university demonstrated a genuine commitment to their holistic development, preparing them not just for academic success but for their future careers as well. This early intervention is key, as it establishes good communication habits from the very beginning. The event’s inclusivity, welcoming students from various disciplines, also served to highlight the universal importance of mastering professional email communication. It reinforced the powerful idea that regardless of one's field of study—be it economics, computer science, or statistics—strong written communication skills are a vital tool that will serve them throughout their lives.

This workshop is a testament to CHRIST (Deemed to be University)’s forward-thinking approach to education, which extends far beyond the confines of theoretical knowledge. The university clearly understands that the modern professional landscape demands a new kind of graduate—one who is not only academically proficient but also equipped with the practical, real-world skills that employers value most. By consistently hosting such relevant and practical events, the university continues to prepare its students to excel in a competitive environment, ensuring they are ready to step into their future roles with confidence and competence. The "Beyond the Inbox" workshop was more than just a training session; it was a resounding success that provided students with the confidence and the competence to navigate their academic careers and, ultimately, the professional world.