How To Write an Email Asking for an Internship (With Examples)

Internships can provide valuable opportunities to learn more about a particular career path, grow your network and gain resume-bolstering experience that can prepare you for full-time employment. It's important to know how to ask about internships so you can find one that's a good fit for you. Reaching out to companies can require tact, careful research and planning, but doing so can help you find worthwhile opportunities as an intern.

In this article, we explain what an internship is, how to write an email asking for an internship and provide templates and example emails to guide you, with a list of tips you can use to find an internship.

Related:

• What is the Importance of an Internship?

• The Best Times to Apply for an Internship (Plus Tips From a University Career Coach)

What is an email asking for an internship?

An email asking for an internship is something you create when you want to pursue an internship with a specific company. If you're interested in emailing a company to ask for an internship, consider researching the company first to see if they have an established process for internship applications or a specific time of year they look to hire new interns. If you don't have an existing contact, you may send cold emails to the company to ask about their opportunities. When deciding who to send your email to, you can browse their website to find the company's general email.

Sometimes websites list employee's contact information as well, and you can browse their directory to find the person best suited to receive your request for more information. In your email, be sure to include your name, explain why you're interested in an internship at the company and list any relevant experience or education you may have. Give them your up-to-date contact information so they can contact you with more information. You can also briefly describe why you're interested in their company and what you hope to gain from an internship.

Related: How To Introduce Yourself in an Email

How to write an email asking for an internship

Regardless of the method you choose for approaching a company, these are some common steps on how to email asking for an internship:

1. Decide on an industry

The first step is to find an internship you're interested in pursuing. Consider researching different industries to find the type of company where you'd like to intern. This can depend on your reason for seeking the internship. If you're preparing for a future career, earning credit for school or trying to gain experience in a particular industry, look for opportunities that fulfil those specific needs.

2. Evaluate your priorities

Once you've decided on the industry you want to work in, evaluate your priorities to decide what you need from an internship. This can help you narrow down your choices and approach companies with firm expectations of what you're seeking. For example, consider evaluating your current financial situation to determine if you can afford to take an unpaid opportunity. If you're pursuing an internship to get requisite experience for a future position or gain credits for a course, make sure the internship meets all your requirements.

It's also important to consider factors like corporate culture, personal interest and commitment. Make sure the opportunities you find align with your goals.

3. Research companies

Once you know what you need from an internship and the industry you're interested in, you can look for opportunities on job boards, online or at your school. Alternatively, if there's a particular company you want to work with, try to find their website, so you can learn more about them and see if they have internships posted online. Try to find several companies with internship options. This way, if one programme is full, or you don't hear from them, you still have other options available.

4. Approach the company

After you've narrowed down your company selections, contact the company and request more information on their internship availability. Email can be a good way to make initial contact and learn more about the application process. In your communications with the company, do your best to make a good impression by checking your written communications for grammatical or spelling errors.

Read more: How to Write a Subject Line for a Job Application Email

5. Apply for an internship

After approaching the company, follow their instructions for submitting your application. They might have a pre-existing form you can fill out, or they may ask you for a resume. Consider including a cover letter in your application, telling the company you're really excited about the possibility of working as an intern at their organisation. Again, be sure that all of your communications are free from spelling and grammatical errors.

Related: The Best Times To Apply for an Internship (Plus Tips From a University Career Coach)

6. Follow up

Once you've submitted your application, give the company time to review your request. If a week has passed and you haven't received additional information, consider contacting the company again to ask if there are any updates on your application. Keep your tone friendly and polite and reiterate how excited you'd be to join their organisation.

Internship email templates

If you choose to reach out to a company using email, here are some templates you can follow to help you format them:

Template 1

If you're seeking an internship for school credit or to gain experience in your particular field, here's a template you can use for inspiration:

Dear [manager or applicable name],

My name is [name] and I'm emailing you to ask about a potential interning opportunity at your company. I'm currently a student at [school name], studying [degree title]. Your company's work on [highlight why you want to intern at the company] is something I've always been passionate about. I'd appreciate any information you can provide on how to get involved with your company. Please let me know if you have any internships or other opportunities available.

You can reach me via email or on my cell phone at [phone number].

Thank you so much for your time. I really look forward to hearing from you.

[Name]

Related: How To Write a Job Application Email

Template 2

If you're seeking an internship to gain work experience in the field, here's a template you can reference:

Dear [manager or applicable name],

My name is [name] and I'm emailing you to ask about a potential interning opportunity at your company. I'm a recent graduate of [school name] and am looking to gain additional experience in my field and learn more about this industry. I think your company could offer [what you're looking for]. [Talk more about the specific opportunity].

You can reach me via email or on my cell phone at [phone number].

Thank you so much for your time. I really look forward to hearing from you.

[Name]

Related: What to Do If You Aren’t Hearing Back From Employers

Example emails

Here are examples of emails asking for internships:

Example 1

Dear Mr. Hartless,

My name is Chen Yi Ling and I'm emailing you to ask about a potential interning opportunity at your company. I'm currently a student at Islander University studying sustainable energy. Your company's work on renewable energy sources is something I've always felt passion for and would love to learn more about. I'd appreciate any information you can provide on how to get involved with your company. Please let me know if you have any internships or other opportunities available.

You can reach me via email or on my cell phone at 8555-5555.

Thank you so much for your time. I really look forward to hearing from you.

Yi Ling

Example 2

Dear Mr. Lee,

My name is Chen Yi Ling, and I'm emailing you to ask about a potential interning opportunity at your company. I'm a recent graduate of the National Institute and am looking to gain additional experience in my field and learn more about the chemical engineering industry. Your mentorship programme seems like it would be a good fit for my education and experience. I'd appreciate any information you can provide on how to apply for the programme.

You can reach me via email or on my cell phone at 8555-5555.

Thank you so much for your time. I really look forward to hearing from you.

Yi Ling

Read more: Engineering Internship Cover Letter Example (Plus Tips)

Tips for pursuing internships

Here are some additional tips to remember when asking for an internship:

• Keep it short: If you write an email asking for an internship, try to keep your email succinct. Include only your name, the reason for your email and relevant details to keep the email focused and concise.

• Do your research: Researching the company before emailing or approaching them can help you discover if they have existing internship programmes or similar opportunities. It can also help you evaluate companies to find ones that are good fits for your experience and future goals.

• Find internships that can advance your career: Consider looking at job postings for positions you hope to hold later in your career. Review the experience they require and find internships that offer you ways to fulfil those requirements.