Sample cover letter for Internship position at Ludwig Cancer Research Institute

Dear Respected Human Resources Department,

I am writing to express my interest in the Communications Intern position at Ludwig Cancer Research.

I am a rising junior at Columbia College, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a concentration in Business Management. While Columbia doesn’t offer a major in Communications, I believe my strong academic background and extracurricular interests makes me a good fit for the position.

As a psychology major, I have a deep-seated curiosity about the human experience. Unfortunately, pain, suffering and disease are an inextricable part of that experience, which is why I am interested in the pioneering cancer discoveries made by Ludwig researchers and their potential to impact the lives of millions. In addition to instilling in me a desire to help individuals through clinical practice, my education in the field of psychology has also helped me see the power of scientific research to help the masses. My studies in behavioral, cognitive and social psychology have helped me better understand the human mind and cognition while the neuroscience courses I have taken toward my major have given me a fundamental understanding of the workings of the human brain. On the other hand, my concentration in Business Management has given me to opportunity to apply my knowledge of the human condition to a different field. Learning about how individuals act as consumers and behave in markets has afforded me an entirely different perspective on human interactions and interconnectivity.

Through my professional and extra-curricular involvements, I have developed my writing, research, analytical and communication skills. As an intern at one of Turkey’s newest nation-wide newspapers, Ilk Ses, I closely worked with journalists and got the chance to pitch my own ideas for news articles. In fact, two of my pitches were picked up by the Editor in Chief, thus presenting me with the opportunity to conduct research, write and publish my work. My experience at Columbia Daily Spectator’s literary magazine, The Eye, taught me how to take initiative, hold interviews and cater to the needs of a specific audience while staying true to myself. Furthermore, my role as the Publicity Manager of the Columbia University Now Show allowed me to use my knowledge of social media to disseminate the show’s unique material to the greater university community and generate publicity. This past semester, as a volunteer at NYSPI’s Anxiety Disorders Clinic, I have been responsible for greeting and directing patients, which has helped me hone my verbal communication skills. Moreover, I have had the opportunity to observe first-hand the influence clinical research can have on patients’ lives. My current position as a research assistant at The Columbia Couples Lab is not only helping me develop a greater appreciation for research and all that it can contribute to society, but also making it possible for me to become more analytical and detail-oriented.

I am confident that my experiences, skills and strong interests in the goals of Ludwig Cancer Research have prepared me to be a good fit for your program. I have attached my resume and look forward to discussing my qualifications with you. Please feel free to contact me at (347) 901-0956 or mo2618@columbia.edu. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Melisa Ozen