General Studies – E-Mail Templates: Connection Request

This template helps you establish initial relationships with professionals:

Subject Line: Fellow [University Name] Graduate / Mutual Connection through [Person’s Name] / Interest in Your Work at [Company]

Dear [Name],

I hope this message finds you well. My name is [Your Name], a General Studies graduate from [Your University] with concentrations in [Your Concentration Areas]. I’m reaching out because [provide specific reason for connection, such as]:

  • We share a connection through [mutual contact’s name], who suggested you might be open to connecting
  • I recently read your article/saw your presentation on [specific topic] and found your perspectives on [specific point] particularly insightful
  • I noticed we both attended [University Name] and share interests in [specific field/industry]
  • Your career path from a broad educational background to [their current role] is inspiring to me as I navigate my own professional journey

As someone with an interdisciplinary education, I’m particularly interested in how you’ve applied your diverse knowledge in your work at [Company/Organization]. I’ve been focusing on developing my skills in [relevant skills] and am currently [your current position/project/job search focus].

I would appreciate connecting with you here on [LinkedIn/platform] and potentially starting a professional relationship. I believe your insights would be valuable, and I’m also happy to share any resources or connections that might be helpful to you.

Thank you for considering my request. I look forward to the possibility of learning from you.

Best regards,

[Your Name] [Your Phone Number] [Your Email] [Your LinkedIn Profile URL (if not already connected through LinkedIn)]

  • Purpose: Introduce yourself to someone you admire or want to learn from
  • Key elements:
    • Strong opening that establishes common ground or specific interest
    • Brief explanation of your General Studies background and concentration areas
    • Clear reason why connecting would be mutually beneficial
    • Specific mention of what you find interesting about their work
    • Professional closing that makes future communication easy

For General Studies graduates, connection requests should emphasize how your interdisciplinary perspective could bring value to the relationship while showing genuine appreciation for the professional’s accomplishments.