5 Great Internship Cold Email Templates To Copy & Paste

Cold emailing is a powerful way to land an internship that isn't publicly listed.

Knowing what to say can be tough, but you don't have to start from scratch. Using a template provides a solid framework, helping you craft a clear and effective message that gets noticed.

Tips for Writing Internship Cold Emails

Nail the subject line

Skip the clickbait. Be direct and informative so they know you’re not spam. A good format is “Inquiry from a [Your Major] Student” or “Question about [Specific Project]”. It’s professional and tells them exactly who you are and why you’re emailing.

Show you did your homework

Generic emails get deleted. Find a specific detail about the person or company—a recent project, a blog post, or an interview they gave. Mentioning it in the first two sentences shows you have genuine interest and aren't just blasting a template to a hundred people.

Provide proof of your skills

Instead of just listing your skills, show them off. Link to your portfolio, a project on GitHub, or even a well-researched paper you’re proud of. This gives them something concrete to look at and makes your abilities feel real, which is especially important when you don't have a long resume yet.

Make a low-stakes ask

Don't ask for an internship right away. That’s a big commitment to ask of a stranger. Instead, ask for something small and easy to give, like a 15-minute chat to learn more about their work or get their advice on the industry. It’s much easier for a busy person to say yes to a quick call.

Types of Internship Cold Email Templates We Will Cover

1. Introduction Email Template
2. Networking Email Template
3. Follow-Up Email Template
4. Referral Request Email Template
5. Thank You Email Template

5 Internship Cold Email Templates

1) Introduction Email Template

<template>

Subject: Inquiry from a [*Your Major*] Student

Hi [*Recipient’s Name*],

My name is [*Your Name*], and I'm a [*Your Major*] student at [*Your University*]. I'm writing to you because I’ve been following your work and was impressed by [*mention a specific project, article, or talk*].

I'm passionate about [*your field of interest*] and have been developing my skills in [*Skill 1*] and [*Skill 2*] through projects like [*briefly describe a relevant project*]. You can find my work here: [*Link to Portfolio or GitHub*].

I am exploring internship opportunities for the upcoming [*Season, e.g., Summer*] and [*Company Name*] is at the top of my list. Would you be open to a 15-minute call in the coming weeks? I'd value the chance to learn more about your role and the work your team does.

Thank you for your time.

Best,

[*Your Name*]

[*Link to your Portfolio or LinkedIn*]

[*Your Phone Number*]

</template>

2) Networking Email Template

<template>

Subject: Connecting re: [*Shared Interest or Mutual Connection*]

Hi [*Recipient’s Name*],

I found your profile on [*Platform, e.g., LinkedIn*] and was impressed by your work in [*their specific field or accomplishment*]. I'm also passionate about this area and have been following your contributions for a while.

As a [*Your Major*] student at [*Your University*], I'm currently exploring career paths in [*your field of interest*]. Your journey is particularly interesting to me, and I'd value your perspective on the industry.

Would you be open to a brief 15-minute call in the coming weeks? I'd appreciate the chance to hear about your experience and any advice you might have for someone starting out.

Thank you for your time.

Best,

[*Your Name*]

[*Link to your Portfolio or LinkedIn*]

[*Your Phone Number*]

</template>

3) Follow-Up Email Template

<template>

Subject: Following up: [*Original Subject Line*]

Hi [*Recipient’s Name*],

I hope you’re having a good week. I'm writing to follow up on the email I sent last [*Day of the week, e.g., Tuesday*] about potential internship opportunities at [*Company Name*].

I understand you have a busy schedule, but I wanted to gently bring my message back to the top of your inbox. I'm very interested in the work your team is doing, particularly [*mention the specific project again*], and would value the chance to learn more.

Would you still be open to a brief 15-minute chat sometime in the next couple of weeks? I’m flexible and happy to work around your calendar.

Thank you for your consideration.

Best,

[*Your Name*]

[*Link to your Portfolio or LinkedIn*]

[*Your Phone Number*]

</template>

4) Referral Request Email Template

<template>

Subject: Referral for [*Job Title*] at [*Company Name*]

Hi [*Recipient’s Name*],

I hope you’re doing well. Following up on our conversation about your work at [*Company Name*], I noticed an opening for the [*Job Title*] position. It looks like a great fit, and I’m writing to ask if you would be comfortable referring me.

Based on the job description, my experience with [*Skill 1*] and [*Skill 2*] seems to align well with what your team is looking for. I’ve attached my resume for a more detailed look at my background, and you can see my project work here: [*Link to Portfolio*].

If you feel I’m a good candidate, I would appreciate your referral. Please let me know if there’s any other information I can provide.

Thank you for your consideration.

Best,

[*Your Name*]

[*Link to your Portfolio or LinkedIn*]

[*Your Phone Number*]

</template>

5) Thank You Email Template

<template>

Subject: Thank you for your time

Hi [*Recipient’s Name*],

Thank you for taking the time to speak with me today. I enjoyed learning more about your work at [*Company Name*] and the [*Internship Role or Project*].

I especially appreciated our conversation about [*mention a specific, interesting point from your chat*]. It gave me a clear sense of the challenges and opportunities your team is focused on.

I am confident that my background in [*mention a relevant skill or experience*] would allow me to contribute effectively. I'm looking forward to hearing about the next steps.

Thank you again for your time and consideration.

Best,

[*Your Name*]

[*Link to your Portfolio or LinkedIn*]

[*Your Phone Number*]

</template>

What About Using Flodesk?

While these templates are for direct, personal outreach, your communication needs will evolve as your career grows. Building a personal brand or a client list requires a different approach to email.

Flodesk provides an intuitive platform to design beautiful emails and automate your marketing without any technical skill. Get started and see how simple it is to grow your audience.

Wrapping Up

Cold emailing is a practical skill for securing internships you won't find on job boards. These templates provide a clear structure for your outreach.

When you're ready to build a personal brand or a client list, your communication needs will evolve. Flodesk lets you design and send emails without any technical skill. Start building your audience.