How to Ask for an Internship by Email (With Templates)

Q: Email Template 1 — Student Seeking Summer Internship

Subject: Summer Internship Inquiry — [Your Name] — [University]

Q: Email Template 2 — Reaching Out to a Specific Person at a Company You Admire

Subject: Internship Enquiry — [Specific Team or Role] — [Your Name]

Most internship opportunities are never advertised. They go to the students who had the confidence to reach out directly. A well-written cold email asking for an internship can open doors that job boards never will — but only if it's written the right way.

This guide shows you exactly what to write, what to avoid, and how to follow up.

Why Cold Emails for Internships Work

Many companies — especially small and mid-sized ones — don't post every internship opening. If someone reaches out at the right time with the right email, they'll often create an opportunity that didn't formally exist. Even when the timing isn't right, a good email gets remembered when something does open up.

The key word is good. A generic, copy-paste email gets deleted in seconds. A specific, well-written one gets a response.

Who to Email

Don't email the generic HR inbox. Find the right person:

Small companies: email the founder, director, or department head directly
Mid-sized companies: email the hiring manager or head of the team you want to join
Large companies: email a recruiter or talent acquisition specialist

Use LinkedIn to find names. Then find their email using their company's email format (firstname@company.com is most common) or tools like Hunter.io.

What Makes a Good Internship Email

A strong internship cold email is:

Specific — mentions their company, their work, or something real about them
Brief — no more than 150–200 words
Clear about what you want — an internship, a conversation, or just a connection
Easy to say yes to — low-friction ask, clear next step

Email Template 1 — Student Seeking Summer Internship

Subject: Summer Internship Inquiry — [Your Name] — [University]

Dear [Name],

My name is [Your Name] and I am a [year] student studying [subject] at [university]. I came across [Company Name] while researching [relevant topic] and was genuinely impressed by [specific thing — a project, product, initiative, or value].

I am writing to ask whether you have any internship opportunities available this summer, or whether you would be open to discussing the possibility. I am particularly interested in [specific area of the company's work] and believe my background in [relevant skill or coursework] would allow me to contribute meaningfully from day one.

I have attached my CV for your reference. I would be very grateful for even a brief conversation.

Thank you for your time.

Best regards, [Your Full Name] [University and Program] [LinkedIn URL]

Email Template 2 — Reaching Out to a Specific Person at a Company You Admire

Subject: Internship Enquiry — [Specific Team or Role] — [Your Name]

Dear [Name],

I hope this email finds you well. My name is [Your Name] and I am a [year] student in [program] at [university].

I have been following [Company Name]'s work on [specific project, product, or initiative] for some time and have a genuine interest in contributing to that kind of work. I noticed you lead [team or area] there, which is exactly the area I am most passionate about.

I am reaching out to ask whether there might be any room for an intern on your team, either now or in the coming months. I have experience in [relevant skill or project] and am a fast learner who takes initiative.

My CV is attached. I would love the chance to speak with you, even briefly, if you are open to it.

Thank you very much.

[Your Full Name] [University and Program] [LinkedIn URL]

Email Template 3 — Following Up After No Response

Wait 5–7 business days, then send one follow-up:

Subject: Following Up — Internship Enquiry — [Your Name]

Dear [Name],

I just wanted to follow up briefly on my email from [date] regarding an internship opportunity at [Company Name]. I completely understand how busy things get and there is no pressure at all.

If timing isn't right, I would be happy to stay in touch for future opportunities. Either way, thank you for considering my message.

Best regards, [Your Full Name]

Don't send more than one follow-up. If there's no response after that, move on.

What to Attach

CV/Resume — one page, clean formatting, relevant to the role
Portfolio or work samples — only if directly relevant and impressive
Cover letter — optional for cold emails; keep it to one paragraph if you include it

Don't attach a massive PDF that takes ages to open. Keep attachments small and clearly named: [YourName]_CV.pdf.

Things to Avoid

"To Whom It May Concern" — always find a name
"I am looking for any opportunity" — be specific about what you want and why this company
Spelling the company name wrong — check everything twice
Overly long emails — if it takes more than 30 seconds to read, it's too long
Asking them to do the work — "Please let me know what opportunities you have" puts the burden on them; make a specific ask
Sending the same email to 50 companies — they can tell; personalise each one

For International Students and Non-Native English Speakers

Writing a confident, professional cold email in English is hard when it's not your first language. Too formal and it sounds stiff. Too casual and it looks unprofessional. The wrong phrasing can make a great candidate seem unserious.

If you're unsure about the tone, paste your draft into Polishit and select the Professional tone. You'll get a version that sounds fluent, confident, and natural — without losing your voice.

After You Send It

Track your emails — note who you emailed and when, so you can follow up at the right time
Connect on LinkedIn — after sending the email, send a connection request with a short note
Prepare for a response — if they reply, be ready to move quickly; have your CV updated and be clear on your availability

Conclusion

A cold email asking for an internship is one of the highest-leverage things you can do as a student. Most people never try because it feels uncomfortable. That discomfort is exactly why it works — the people who do it stand out immediately. Write a specific, brief, well-targeted email. Send it. Follow up once. And remember that a "not right now" is rarely a permanent no.