The Warm Intro by Oba #21

Perfect timing for the holidays. Almost nobody does this anymore, but it always works.

Author

oba ajayi
December 10, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes

I'm Oba.

I had 7 internships in college, got into Stanford GSB, and founded HeadStart Fellowship. Now I share what worked on LinkedIn and Instagram.

This newsletter? Everything you need to turn your professional and educational dreams into reality.

What I Wish Someone Told Me

This week's insight: No one cares about you after one coffee chat.

You reach out to someone. Great convo. Then silence for seven months until you apply to their company and let them know you applied. Why would they go to bat for you? You only came back when you needed something.

Most people network like this and wonder why their "mentors" never actually help them. The relationship was always transactional. You never gave them a reason to invest in you.

One way to fix this: intentional touchpoints that aren't asks. Around the holidays, buy boxes of cards and handwrite notes to anyone who's helped you. Teachers, mentors, people helping with recruiting, anyone who opened a door.

Most people don't do this. The ones who do get remembered.

Everyone gets thanked over email or LinkedIn. Almost nobody gets a physical card anymore. The effort of writing by hand and finding their address signals you actually value the relationship, not just what they can do for you.

It's pure gratitude with no ask attached. 

Send them to people's offices if they're working. If not, ask for an address (then follow through). Be specific about what they helped with, not generic "thanks for your time".

The takeaway: Mentors are earned through consistent effort, not one good conversation.

Don't Miss These

HeadStart Fellowship Application - FREE Mentorship program for US students

Recalc Academy - FREE Finance technical training for sophomores and juniors

Get into top Deferred MBA Program

Coaching program for current senior applying to deferred MBA Programs, ran by me

Career Strategy Call with Oba 10-60 minute strategy call with someone who landed 7 internships and got into Stanford GSB. Get the exact framework I used plus see if ongoing coaching fits your goals.

Paid Part Time Remote Jobs Platform Paid part-time remote roles paying $40 to $270 per hour across different fields. 20-40 hr/wk, remote

Target Test Prep Exam prep I used to get into Stanford GSB

Resources

Links for additional Resources can be found HERE

New Opportunities

Happy holidays

oba