If you’re in a hurry, use this template to ask if an internship is paid:
Hi [INSERT NAME],
I’m really excited about your [INSERT TYPE] internship. I have relevant experience from [INSERT PROJECT], that resulted in [INSERT IMPRESSIVE ACCOMPLISHMENT]. Since I’m going to graduate with student loans, I’m prioritizing paid internships.
Could you let me know if the internship is paid, and what you’re budgeting for if so?
Thanks!
Taylor
For example:
Why some internship JDs don’t say whether they’re paid
A good internship job description will list up front whether it’s paid or unpaid as a way to either:
- Differentiate itself against the mass of unpaid opportunities (if it’s paid) or
- Qualify applicants as willing to work for free (if it’s unpaid).
If the job description is ambiguous, that’s probably intentional.
The company who posted it probably either: (A) has a budget but is trying to save money by getting an intern who will work for free or (B) has no intention of paying but is trying to lure you in.
Four templates to ask if an internship is paid
If you’re unsure whether to apply for an internship and want to know up-front whether it’s paid, use the template above. Otherwise, try the following.
If you’re only interested in paid internships
Unlike the first example, this templates explicitly states that you’re only interested in paid internships.
Hi [INSERT NAME],
I’m really excited about your [INSERT TYPE] internship. I have relevant experience from [INSERT PROJECT], that resulted in [INSERT IMPRESSIVE ACCOMPLISHMENT].
Since I’m going to graduate with student loans, I’m only applying to paid internships.
Could you let me know if the internship is paid, and what you’re budgeting for if so?
Thanks!
Taylor
If you have another internship option that is paid
If you’re midway through the internship application process, and you receive another option that is paid (or even an unpaid offer that you prefer unless another internship will pay you), use this template.
Hi [INSERT NAME],
I wanted to thank you again for interviewing me – I’m really excited about working with you and the rest of [COMPANY NAME]’s team.
I’m reaching out because I just received a paid internship offer for the summer. Since I’m going to graduate with student loans, I’m prioritizing paid internships.
Could you let me know if the internship is paid, and what you’re budgeting for if so?
Thanks!
Taylor
If you’ll take the internship offer but would prefer being paid
Use the following template to negotiate if you have an offer and plan to take it even if it’s unpaid.
Hi [INSERT NAME],
Thank you so much for the offer – I’m so excited about the possibility of working with you and the team at [INSERT COMPANY] this [summer].
One question: could you share whether this is a paid internship, and what you’re budgeting, if so?
I have a lot of student loans and just received another offer for a paid [INSERT TYPE – i.e. marketing, product, engineering, etc.] internship this summer, so I wanted to ask if this internship is paid as well.
Thanks!
Taylor
Other internship resources
For more internship resources, you try these guides on how to:
