Tips for Getting Internships by Emailing Professors

Discovering Professors in Your Field of Interest

• Visit official institute websites to find email IDs of professors in your field.
• Google professors' names and visit their profiles on LinkedIn, ResearchGate, and Google Scholar to identify their network and collaborators.
• Identify co-authors of their papers who work in the same field.
• Explore past conference presenter and attendee lists for relevant connections.
• Seek recommendations from friends or acquaintances in the field.
• Consider exploring institutes seemingly unrelated to your field; unexpected opportunities may arise.
• Apply to underfunded institutes where acceptance rates might be higher.
• Don't hesitate to apply to professors at top institutes; acceptance can be unpredictable.
• If possible, arrange personal meetings with local professors for a more impactful interaction.

What to Write

• Explain why you're interested in the specific field and what attracts you to it.
• Customize your email for each field of interest.
• Avoid generic descriptions; be specific about your interests.
• Research the professor's current work and mention any relevant findings or papers.
• Highlight any relevant books read or online courses completed.
• Show genuine interest by investing time in learning about the field.
• Clearly indicate in the subject line if you're open to unpaid internships or can arrange accommodation.
• Ask for recommended reading materials to demonstrate eagerness to learn.
• Mention any academic achievements, such as high GPA or competitive exam rankings.
• Be honest and avoid exaggerating your accomplishments.
• Apply early, starting as soon as October for summer internships.

Tips to Score Some Extra Brownies

• Prepare a generic email template for each field and customize it for each professor.
• Mention the professor's name and institute early in the email to personalize it.
• Double-check the names to avoid mistakes and embarrassment.
• If you don't receive a reply, send a gentle reminder after a few days, preferably on a weekend.
• Even after a rejection, thank the professor and express interest in future opportunities.