There isn't a magic weekly number of outreach messages. Consistent, targeted outreach matters more than volume.

A large generic batch may produce fewer useful conversations than a smaller set of tailored notes. Master's students also have coursework and recruiting preparation to balance.

Five well-researched notes to relevant alumni may be a better starting experiment than 40 identical messages. Measure meaningful replies and conversations, not just sends.

Set a manageable weekly cadence, explain why you are reaching out to each person, and follow up once when appropriate. Build your own approach to Master’s networking and outreach approaches around thoughtful conversations rather than an arbitrary message quota.

I tried sending 15 a week and couldn't keep the follow-ups straight. Five thoughtful notes feels manageable during dissertation season.