Sample cover letter for Full Time position at Center for Advanced Defense Studies

Dear ____:

I am interested in applying for a Research internship with your organization, the announcement for which was forwarded to me by Ms. Dorothee Heisenberg of the International Studies Program here at Johns Hopkins University. After taking time to research your organization, I am intrigued by the wide breadth of topics on which your research focuses. Also, I find it very appealing that your organization not only researches the security problems of today and the defense issues of tomorrow, but is also dedicated to educating the appropriate audience and implementing novel approaches to promote global security. I have been searching for an opportunity to participate in an internship program this summer with either a think tank or a more action-oriented government organization. The Center for Advanced Defense Studies seems to offer the best of both worlds by providing opportunities for research and the implementation of that research.

My education has prepared me to be successful in your internship program. Through my coursework in the International Studies program as well as the History and Economics departments, I have developed a strong interest in the field of global security. In classes such as Contemporary International Politics and International Monetary Economics, I have learned how fragile a country’s security can be and have studied some of the many factors that can contribute to a country’s safety and stability. In a course I completed on International Law, I intensively studied the case of the League of Nations Mandate for South West Africa, and through this I learned how difficult it can be for a country to achieve security without cooperation between states and international organizations. In addition, as Managing Director of the Model U.N. program on campus, I developed leadership skills through organizing an annual conference for 150 participants. This involved creating and managing ten subcommittees of my peers.

Attached is my resume for your review. I have the desire and enthusiasm to make a difference in your organization. I welcome the opportunity for a personal meeting to discuss my qualifications. Please contact me should you have any questions regarding my candidacy. I will send you an e-mail in two weeks to ensure receipt of my materials. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

____