How to Ask for an Internship?[email examples]

Understanding how to ask for an internship correctly may help you adjust your request before emailing it and increase your chances of getting an internship. 

On the other hand, asking for an internship wrongly can waste all your efforts and opportunities, no matter what qualifications you have. I know you’ve many queries like,

How to ask for an internship?

Are there any reference templates and samples for emails?

How to write an email to ask for an internship?

What is cold emailing? How to cold email for an internship?

To ask for an internship by writing an email, you should:

• Find the right contact person at the company and their email address.
• Write a catchy subject line that mentions the internship role and your interest.
• Introduce yourself briefly and explain why you are emailing them.
• Explain why you are interested in the internship and what value you can offer to the company.
• Attach your resume and any relevant links or samples of your work.
• Thank them for their time and ask for a next step, such as a phone call, a meeting, or an application form.
• If you don’t get a reply, follow up after a few days or a week.

Read on to find email templates and samples and a step-by-step guide on how to get an internship by writing an email.

How to ask for an internship – Email template

Here’s how to ask for an internship email template to ask for an internship:

Subject line: Application for Internship Program – [Name of Organization]

[Dear] [Employer’s Name],

My name is [sender’s name], and I’m a [freshman/sophomore/junior/senior] at [university] in [program/major].

I’m [Mention the area of your interest]. I’ve started looking out for [semester/season] internship opportunities.

I’m reaching out to you because [I came across internship opportunities at your organization/I was wondering if any internship positions are open at your organization/other requests]. 

[Add 2-3 sentences about your request and state your qualifications and availability for the duration]. 

Please find my resume and cover letter attached for your reference! If you have any queries, please feel free to reach out! Thank you for your time and consideration.

Best Regards [Sender’s name]

Example emails asking for an internship

If you’re in a hurry and need some quick examples of how to ask for an internship email sample, these examples can greatly help. You can pick a template that suits you, personalize it, and send it!

Reaching out to a recruiter

An email to a recruiter should stress a specific role or department you’re interested in! Here’s an email example sent to a recruiter:

Subject Line: Summer Analyst position

Dear Ms. Fauver,

My name is Mark, and I am a sophomore at NYU Stern studying Banking. I was pleased to discover a summer analyst position (posting ID #245691023) on Goldman Sachs’ website. I have an avid interest in investment banking and would like to learn how to implement finance and risk management solutions.

I applied for this position online. However, I’ve attached my cover letter and résumé for your consideration. 

I feel my prior internship’s knowledge of applicable securities and M&A rules would be a good fit for this role, and I hope to have the opportunity to talk with you in more detail about how I may assist Goldman Sachs’s initiatives! 

Best, Mark Fitzgerald

Internship request email example for a professor

Here’s an example of how to draft an email to a professor for a potential research internship!

Subject Line: Summer Research Position

Dear Professor Fauver,

My name is Mark, and I’m a junior studying history at Cambridge University. I am fascinated by Ancient Languages and your newly found particular research on the Nahuatl language. At present, I am taking classes related to this.

I was wondering if you have a position available for an undergraduate researcher in your department over the summer. 

If you have the time to discuss this opportunity further, I can stop by during your office hours for a scheduled meeting. 

I’ve attached my resume and cover letter for your reference. Thank you for your time!

Best Regards, Mark Fitzgerald

Internship request email example for an alum of your school

Here’s how you can reach out to alumni!

Subject Line: Harvard Law School- Internship

Dear Mr. Fauver,

My name is Mark, and I’m a first-year student at Harvard Law School. I’ve just begun my summer internship search and observed that Morgan Lewis is hiring for summer associates in your department. While reviewing your LinkedIn profile, I noticed you’re also an alum of Harvard Law School!

I reached out to you because I’m interested in this opportunity and eager to develop practical skills. If you’re open to sharing insights, I’d love to catch up with you over a phone call. 

I’ve attached my resume and cover letter below for your reference, even though I’ve submitted my application online. Thank you for your time!

Best Regards, Mark Fitzgerald

Example of a follow-up email:

Not sure how to send a follow-up email? Check out this example and follow suit!

“Dear Ms. Fauver,

I believe you are doing well. I just wanted to make sure I followed up on the email I sent earlier. I would love the chance to have a conversation with you about the summer analyst position since I am highly interested in working for Goldman Sachs. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to connecting with you soon.

Best Regards, Mark Fitzgerald”

How to write an email asking for an internship?

To write an email asking for an internship is a step-wise process. To write an effective email for an internship, do your research, start with a strong subject line, personalize your email, be clear and concise, highlight your skills and experience, be enthusiastic, be professional, proofread your email, attach your resume, and follow up. Let us look into the detailed steps one by one:

Step 1: Research and understand the company

You need to research the background of a company before applying. But why? To understand the industry in which it belongs, the requirements of the role, and what the company offers its employees!

This way, you can tailor the email towards the company specifically and not just send a generic one. It will help you make an informed decision whether to go ahead in seeking an internship opportunity or not. 

Decide who you will contact, why, and in what order. Find the right contacts.

Step 2: Write a strong subject line

Writing a subject line narrows down the purpose of your email. An email asking for an internship without a subject line will probably get lost in the inbox or end up in spam. 

Adding a relevant subject line will pinpoint the content of the email and will make it easier for the recruiter, acquaintance, or any reader to glance through easily.

Example: 

• “Application for Summer Internship Position – Ogilvy”  
•  “Application for Summer Internship Program – Goldman Sachs”
• “Summer Internship Program at EY – Application”

Step 3: Start with a greeting

Your email should begin with an appropriate salutation or greeting. This sets the first impression, and it will benefit you. Before reaching out to them via email, try to research whom you’re going to email. 

Check out their LinkedIn profile or their details on the company website if available. Once you’ve found their details, reach out to them accordingly.

Examples:

• Dear Whitney Scott, [First and Last name], when you’re sending out a cold email
• Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name] an alternative to a cold email
• Dear Professor [Full name], in the case of one of your professors
• [First name] in case of someone you know personally 

Step 4: Use the right tone in your language

Maintaining the right tone in your email depends on what kind of email it is. When you’re sending out a cold email to a recruiter, it’s best to maintain a formal tone. If it’s an email to a known person, you can be a bit casual but professional side by side. 

The key is to identify the level of familiarity, and you’ll figure out how to approach them. 

Examples: 

• “I was pleased to see openings for the Fall Internship Program.”
•  “I am hoping to take the conversation forward!”

Step 5: Introduce yourself and reference your connection upfront

The opening lines of your email should be a short introduction of yourself. It gives the reader an idea about who you are and what you’re seeking. You should establish a link between who you are and how you came across an opportunity.

Example: 

“Dear Mr. Smith, 

I am Sarah Jones, a junior at NYU Stern School of Business. I’ve started my internship search journey and came across an opportunity for the Summer Internship Program at Morgan Stanley in the business department.”

“Dear Ms.Stevens,

I am Jonathan Mitchell, and I recently started my senior year at George Washington University. I was pleasantly surprised to see an opening at your company, and I’ve applied for the same.”

Step 6: Be specific about why you want this internship

If you are clear about the specific role you want to apply to, highlight the distinct skills from the job profile. Stressing on those aspects that interest you will show the recruiter (in case of a cold email) that you’ve gone through the details and you’re serious about the request.

In case of no specific internship program in the company, you can write to them about any specific department you want to work with. If all goes well, you may get an opportunity to work with the department on a particular project.

Example: 

• “Recently, I came across the summer internship program at Goldman Sachs! I’d like to apply for the position of Summer Analyst in the Internal Audit Department. Advising the management on developing control solutions and learning how to monitor such measures is something I’m keen to learn.”

• “I recently discovered Deloitte’s summer internship programme! I’m writing to express my interest in the position of Summer Associate in the Operations department. I’m interested in learning how to reshape an organization’s operating model through scaled process redesign and execution and how to change how their technologies are planned, deployed, and accepted.”

Step 7: Make a direct request

Avoid beating around the bush. If it’s about applying for an internship or a position to be created, keeping it direct will allow the other person to understand the request. 

Example: “I came across an opportunity posted for an Internship at Deloitte Consulting! I’ve applied for the position on the job portal and am sharing my resume with you as well. I’m hoping you could also take a look at this and take it forward.”

Step 8: Discuss your reference

If you know someone in the company, you can highlight them in your email as they may provide you with a reference down the line.

Before doing so, take your connections’ permission and if they are willing to be mentioned in the email.  

Step 9: Keep the email brief

Start with your introduction, mention your interests in a particular division of the company, and request the reader for your application to be considered. If the email is short and clear, it will be quicker for the recruiter to assist you in taking it up further.  

Step 10: Include a call to action

Your email should conclude with a call to action. It is a query or statement that prompts the individual to answer. Consider this: What precisely are you looking for?

While the big picture may be an internship, what do you require to get there first? A conversation over the phone with the recruiter? A conversation regarding available opportunities? 

Step 11: Attach an updated resume and cover letter

Once you’re done with the body of the email, attach an updated resume and cover letter at the bottom. Your resume should include any previous employment, volunteer work, freelance, etc.

The advantage of including a cover letter is that it allows you to explain why you’re fit for the specific position and elaborate on particular skills. 

Step 12: Follow up

An immediate response to your email is highly unlikely. Recruiters and Hiring Managers will be receiving a lot of emails daily. So hang in there for a couple of days! If you still haven’t received a response after a while, you can send them a follow-up email enquiring about the previous request.

Understandably, sending such emails is tricky and can make one hesitant, but even if you don’t directly land an internship, you can make a valuable connection, and it might help you out later! 

How to cold email for an internship?

Cold emailing for an internship can be a great way to get in touch with potential employers and showcase your interest, skills, and value. However, standing out from the crowd and getting a positive response can also be challenging. Here are some tips on how to cold email for an internship:

1. Do your research. Before you send any emails, it is important to research and learn as much as possible about the company and the internship you are interested in. This will help you to tailor your email and make a good impression on the recipient.
2. Be specific. When you are writing your email, be specific about the internship you are interested in and why you are a good fit for the position. Highlight your skills and experience that are relevant to the internship.
3. Be personal. Your email should be personal and genuine. Avoid using a template or sending a mass email. Take the time to write a personalized email that will show the recipient that you are interested in the internship and the company.
4. Be professional. Even though you are cold emailing, it is important to be professional in your tone and language. Avoid using slang or informal language.
5. Proofread your email. Before you hit send, make sure to proofread your email carefully for any errors. A well-written and error-free email will make a good impression on the recipient.
6. Follow up. After you send your email, be sure to follow up a few days later to check if the recipient received it. You can also send a follow-up email to reiterate your interest in the internship.

Cold email sample to ask for an internship

Subject: How I can help [Company Name] with social media marketing Hello [Recipient’s Name],

I hope this email finds you well.

I am [Your Name], a junior majoring in marketing at [Your School]. I came across your profile on LinkedIn and was impressed by your work as the marketing manager at [Company Name].

I am looking for an internship in social media marketing for the summer of 2023, and I think [Company Name] would be a great fit for me.

Final words on internship emails

• Reaching out for an internship opportunity via email can be tricky, but if you do it the right way, it might land you the biggest internship opportunity yet!
• Learn more about the organization you wish to intern with before reaching out.
• Ensure your email is properly structured, from the subject line to an appropriate greeting, what you seek, etc.
• Always include an updated resume and cover letter in the email.

Related articles

How to get an internship with no experience?

How to write a cover letter for an internship?

10 best websites to find an internship for students.

When is the best time to apply for an internship?

How to accept an internship offer?

How to decline an internship offer?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)