Can I coldmail big companies asking them for a summer internship when there is no opening?

Hi there,

Short answer: yes, you can reach out, but you need to be realistic about what works and what does not.

For the big firms like MBB, internships for undergrads are almost always tied to formal recruiting cycles. They rarely create a position through cold emails, even for very strong profiles. If there is no posting and no campus process happening, cold outreach alone will not open a slot.

That said, cold mailing still has value. It can help you:

• get on the radar for off-cycle opportunities
• build relationships with consultants who can flag your profile internally
• receive advice or referral when the next recruiting window opens

Firms like Accenture, LEK, EY Parthenon, Kearney are more flexible, and some regional offices do offer off cycle internships if you contact the right people at the right time. In those cases, cold emails can lead to an informal chat and sometimes even an interview.

If you decide to coldmail, focus on:

• contacting specific people in the office you want
• keeping the message short and personal
• asking for a quick chat rather than for an internship directly

It will not guarantee an offer, but it can absolutely create opportunities that are not advertised.

There's nothing to lose, aside from your time, of course, so it's worth trying it out. 

But I think you actually have a better chance doing that with smaller, local firms, rather than the big ones. 

Try also to make the most of your network to inform you about opportunities or recommend you for jobs.

Best,
Cristian

Hi there,

You can definitely try cold emailing as you have nothing to lose, but keep your expectations low and realistic. Firms like MBB, Accenture, LEK and others mostly recruit interns through planned cycles. That said, a well written note to a consultant or recruiter can still help you get on their radar or hear about exceptions. Even if it doesn’t lead to something now, it can still open doors later.

hey there :)

You can definitely try cold emailing, but for big firms like MBB or Accenture it rarely works because they usually only hire through structured programs. It can help more with smaller boutiques or if you have a very specific contact inside the firm. Make sure your email is super concise, shows your achievements, and asks politely if they have any opportunities. Target the right person, recruiters or people in the team you’d join.

best, Alessa :)

Hi there, 

Yes you can, but just be prepared that the response rate would likey be very very low...

Better to see if you can find any 2nd degree connection and try to ask for someone in the firm to help you check with recruiting team, or even give you a referral. 

Best,

Emily

Short answer: yes

Longer answer: Most people do this wrong and waste a LOT of time doing ti inefficiently.

There are ways to do this both efficiently and impactfully. More in Applications

Sending a well crafted email doesn't take long. But I would suggest that you try to network with someone first - so that they can personally refer you in order to be included in the interview list. Otherwise, most likely your email will be ignored, or simply dismissed.

Of course, don't spend a lot of time on this. You should focus on strategy boutiques instead.