Critique my cold-email for freshman year internship?

Hey guys. I am currently a freshman at a semi-target and I am going to start reaching out to firms in my area for an internship. I realize freshman year internships are kind of a joke, where you do "bs" work... however I still have no idea how to format an email. I am thinking something along the lines of :

Hello my name is ______. I am currently a freshman at _________ studying finance and economics. I was wondering if you guys need an extra hand this summer or anyone to do any busy work."

That's literally all I have. I know there should be more, but I don't know what else to write. Can anyone help? Thanks so much.

8 Comments
 

If you send that email you're going to get -1 helpful replies.

Phrase it way more tactfully than 'let me do your busy work.'

 
Most Helpful

Mean but it's true. You have to understand that you are only a freshman with virtually 0 work experience. You are more likely to be a burden than a help.

My personal suggestion is: 1. Phrase your email more professionally, Your email sounds like you're a frat boy. 2. Don't plead for internship or showcase that you can "help" because you cannot. They will probably have to spend more time/resources guiding you than actually getting any help from you. 3. Instead tell them politely that you are looking for an experience in finance and whether they have any vacancy for freshman intern. OR if it's up to me, simply ask for coffee and actually learn something from them instead of asking for internship. This one depends on you and your personal rs with the FTs if any. Sometimes this may lead to an internship position if not with that firm, another firm. 4. Do a pitchbook & model on whichever company is interesting for you and attach them to the email. You have no prior exp on your CV, this will somewhat help to assure them of your capability and standard. My friends did this before for leverage and it worked. 5. MOST IMPORTANTLY, know that your hit rate will be very low. Most will ignore you. Always be humble, polite and patient. Don't push them for anything. You don't deserve anything and they don't owe you anything. Check other threads on how often you should approach them etc. There is a shitload of resources here.

 

Number 5 is key here. I was able to get a finance internship the summer before I started college by emailing 40+ people and asking to set up a call and just talk to them, never directly asked for a spot. I had zero connections in the industry beforehand. It's a numbers game at this point for you.

 

Agree with Sirc, it's a number game. Join an investment club for the alumni network. If you're from semi-target, you should have some contacts in your network. But from my personal experience, the most helpful and kind people are not necessarily your alumnus. Yeah just be resilient and patient.

 

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