I believe it’s the intern’s mistake as well. Regardless of your job, you Need to do your due dilligence before starting any type of communication with anyone. At least for the sake of not offending that person (like the present case). Or at least for common sense, if the above doesn’t hold water. Or for fuck’s sake, if you intend to be a pro.

And the strategy where you have the “pawn” do the intro for you because you’re too precious to write an email… the year 1995 called and wants its fake-image building strategies back. It’s 2016 now and if I learned something, it’s that modesty and being genuine will always drumpf falsehood. Not only that, but the relationships built over being genuine and authentic will resist pretty much anything over time, and the people involved in that relationship will obtain a more valuable life experience than just the financial involvement or interest(s).