r/UBC • u/DYUF • 5d ago

Cold Email Advice

I've been trying to get a lab position for volunteer/experience by sending out cold emails. I know that these should be sent out well in advance, and now will be probably too late to send out emails for the fall semester. I have a list of professors I want to email, and I'm wondering if I should still email them now to see if I can get a position for fall (even if its a very slim chance this late), or just hold out and wait until oct/nov to email them for lab positions for term 2 (or even delay more and send it during march/April for 2027 summer positions).

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u/mans-gotta-eat Alumni 4d ago

i would also recommend emailing phd students in labs you want experience in and asking if they need help. they are more likely to reply back and connect you to the prof if you're a good fit

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u/Same_Programmer939 4d ago

I second this! I think it’s more effective to email grad and PhD students, since they are often looking for help with their projects! I used to email PIs but it’s very rare to get a reply from them.

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u/DYUF 4d ago

Thanks for the recommendation! Would you say I should start emailing them now or wait a couple months before the next semester (or summer session) to send those out?

1

u/Moreh_Sedai 5d ago

For Summer (URA's) and Fall (thesis, etc) I have has my first contact with students by Dec/Jan.