Sample cover letter for Internship position at WPI

To Whom It May Concern,

I am excited about submitting my application for a research and development internship at the World Policy Institute. The WPI, which I discovered in a library research guide, goes beyond identifying emerging global issues and instead also works with leaders and scholars to develop and evaluate potential solutions. Your organization’s focus on maintaining an international perspective in its analyses of issues and dedication to informed policy decisions greatly appeals to me. As such, your summer internship would be the perfect introduction to a future career in policy research, and I believe that I have strong research and communication skills that will suit the internship.

As a history and public policy studies double major at xxx, I am familiar with a wide variety of sources and can synthesize them into various forms. My history background has exposed me to many primary and narrative sources, ranging from government records to lengthy monographs, while my public policy courses have made me comfortable with scholarly, peer-reviewed articles. Having written case studies and analytical papers, I can integrate the aforementioned sources into both arguments and narratives. I have also worked with xxx to use its public opinion survey and publish an issue of the Program’s policy-related data briefs. These skills will no doubt be extremely helpful when assisting fellows and staff with program research and development.

I have also refined the necessary interpersonal skills in my current position as writing consultant at xxx. In this role, I work with clients on an on-to-one basis to analyze their writing and develop skills that make them more effective writers. In addition to having a clear understanding of what makes for clear communication, I also need to manage clients’ expectations, know how to deliver constructive feedback, and be able to lead clients in directions that they themselves had not considered before.

Moreover, my current position at xxx and my coursework in one of xxx honors programs have prepared me for the undoubtedly-fast pace of the WPI office. At xxx, each consultation is limited to fifty minutes, making me responsible for rapidly coming up with a tailored plan for each client’s individual needs at the beginning of each session. I must also react to the client’s nonverbal cues so that I can adjust the plan depending on how the session is going. The honors seminars that I have taken have also required me to quickly familiarize myself with academic areas outside of my expertise. In my most recent biology seminar, for example, I was able to familiarize myself with cutting-edge biology research on bacteria despite having no other experience with biology. Clearly, I can thrive regardless of what environment I find myself in, and know how to apply my skills to any situation.

My experience with research and analysis makes me confident that I would be able to contribute to your organization. I will be available from May through August this year for up to forty hours a week. I can be reached at xxx and look forward to hearing back from you.

Sincerely,