{"id":3314,"date":"2023-04-07T11:30:00","date_gmt":"2023-04-07T15:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theforage.wpengine.com\/?p=3314"},"modified":"2024-08-01T10:03:08","modified_gmt":"2024-08-01T14:03:08","slug":"internship-email","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theforage.wpengine.com\/basics\/internship-email","title":{"rendered":"How to Ask for an Internship (Email Examples)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Can you really ask for an internship<\/a> with an email? While you may hear some \u201cno\u201d responses, the answer is yes \u2014 emailing to ask about internship opportunities is a valuable way to show interest and even land a gig. In this guide, we\u2019ll walk you through why you should send an internship email, how to write an email asking for an internship, and internship cold email examples. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is an Internship Email?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

An internship email is an email asking about an internship. You\u2019re not generally emailing someone and saying, \u201cCan I have an internship, please?\u201d Instead, you usually express your interest in an internship opportunity they already have, ask if they may be willing to create one, or try to establish a relationship, so later you can ask if you\u2019re a good fit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What Is an Internship Cold Email?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A cold email is an email to someone you haven\u2019t had contact with before. For example, this could be an email to a recruiter<\/a> for a position you\u2019re interested in or a professor you\u2019ve never taken a class with. Wondering how to cold email for an internship? Finding the right contact can make all the difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNot every student has a series of senior-level connections who can help them land a sweet internship,\u201d says Tim Toterhi, CHRO and ICF certified career coach<\/a>. \u201cA cold email to the right person can help you secure a rewarding internship. Be warned, however, success requires research, timing, and a solid sales pitch.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A cold email doesn\u2019t always mean you don\u2019t have any connection with the contact. For example, it could be someone a peer, professor, old boss, or family member connected you with. However, if this is your first time communicating with them, the email is still a cold email, so you have to start fresh and introduce yourself (but you should always name-drop your mutual contact).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Should You Write an Email Asking for an Internship?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Honestly, it\u2019s a good question \u2014 writing these emails can be scary, so why go through the stress? Yet an internship email is a great way to boost your chances of landing a gig. Even if you\u2019re not getting a \u201cyes,\u201d you\u2019re establishing a connection and showing you\u2019ve gone above and beyond to express your interest. You never know where an email can lead to!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is one way to help you stand out,\u201d says Elisa Pineda, talent acquisition and workforce development specialist at the Colorado Department of Agriculture. \u201cThere will literally be hundreds, if not thousands, of people applying for the same internships. You need and want a way to stand out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>>MORE:<\/strong> How to Apply for an Internship<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

These emails are also a good way to get your foot in the door if the company doesn\u2019t have public internship opportunities and you hope to create one for yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Forage Find<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Before emailing, see if your school has financial resourcing for students pursuing internships. “As some companies may not have the finances to take on a paid intern, research options with your school to see if they offer scholarships for students pursuing unpaid internships,” says Karley Clayton, director of career services at Indiana University\u2013Purdue University Indianapolis. “Cost can be a barrier for an employer to provide an internship experience, but if you were able to get funding through another avenue, it would open a new door.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

How to Write an Email Asking for an Internship: 7 Steps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So, how do you write an email asking for an internship? While the exact email will depend on who you\u2019re contacting (more on that in a bit), here are some general cold email steps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Research the Company<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The goal of your research should be to \u201cidentify opportunities where your skill sets can benefit them as an intern,\u201d Clayton says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She recommends researching to answer a few questions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n