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How to Write a Cover Letter for an Internship? (+5 Real Internship Cover Letter Examples)

• Julia Mlcuchova , 
• Updated March 20, 2024 8 min read

Trying to figure out how to write a cover letter for an internship ? Look no further!

POV: After weeks and weeks of searching for the right internship opportunity, you've finally found it. But, at the end of the posting, there's a single short sentence that takes you aback:  “Please, attach a cover letter to your application .”

Although some consider cover letter writing to be a relic of the past, it still holds its rightful place in the professional world. 

Because a well-written and persuasive cover letter can sometimes make up for the lack of work experience on your resume . And if you're trying to apply for an internship , this is probably your case, too. 

So, continue reading this article and learn: 

• What is a cover letter for an internship;
• Whether you need to attach a cover letter to your internship application;
• How to write one in 7 steps;
• 5 real-life internship cover letter examples .

Table of Contents

Click on a section to skip

What is a cover letter for an internship?

Do you need a cover letter for an internship, how to write a cover letter for an internship in 7 steps, 5 real-life internship cover letter examples, key takeaways: how to write a cover letter for an internship.

Generally speaking, an internship cover letter is a formal document that accompanies your resume when applying for an internship. 

When it comes to its content, a cover letter for an internship falls somewhere between a traditional cover letter and a motivational letter . 

• A traditional cover letter , used by job applicants with years of experience, is supposed to underline some of the candidate's most relevant and impressive skills, qualifications, and work achievements . 
• A motivational letter , used mostly in academia, aims to communicate one's passion for the subject, their motivation, and personal goals . 

Hence, a cover letter for an internship combines the purpose of the traditional cover letter (convincing the recruiters that you're the right person for the job) with the tone and strategy of the motivational letter (writing about personal motivations and goals).

A truly successful internship cover letter should answer the following questions:

• Who are you? 
• Why are you interested in this particular internship?
• Why are you the best fit for this internship?
• What do you want to gain from this internship?

Absolutely! 

In fact, you should always attach a cover letter to your internship application , even if it isn't explicitly required from you.  

Why, you ask? 

Well, consider this: Internships are crucial stepping stones towards your dream career. And they're also incredibly competitive. A single internship opening can be answered by tens of applicants at a time. 

But how can you stand out from a crowd of equally inexperienced candidates? Certainly not by your non-existent professional accomplishments, right? 

When companies look for interns, they don't expect you to have a ton of real-life experience. They aren't looking for a “finished product,” but for someone with a genuine desire to learn and enthusiasm for the job. 

And these two are your weapons of choice!

How can a cover letter for an internship help you?

Apart from the reasons mentioned above, your internship cover letter is also responsible for: 

• Conveying first impression. Usually, recruiters will read your cover letter before looking at your resume. So, it's the perfect opportunity to introduce yourself to them in a memorable way. 
• Showing your efforts. Next, taking the time to craft a thoughtful cover letter shows that you're willing to put in that extra effort to stand out from the rest of the candidates. 
• Highlighting your communication skills. Also, a well-written cover letter demonstrates your ability to articulate your thoughts clearly and professionally. 
• Showing your professionalism. When you walk into a room, it's polite to introduce yourself and shake everybody's hand. This is exactly what a cover letter does! To attach one to your application is a common courtesy.

Now that you're familiar with the whats and whys , let's have a look at how to write a good cover letter for an internship step-by-step. 

For example : Application for [name of the internship] internship – Surname.

Then, place your contact information (your name; professional email address; phone number; link to your website / portfolio / social media accounts if relevant) directly into the header .

If you know the recipient's name, address them by “ Dear [full name] ,” or “ Dear Mrs/Mr [last name] ,”. If you don't know who to address the cover letter to , address it more generally to “Dear Hiring Manager,” .

In the first paragraph of your cover letter , start by stating your name and where you studied (including your current degree and year of study). Proceed by explaining how you came to know about the internship and what are your motivations for applying to it.

Since you don't have much work experience, you can talk about your academic achievements; relevant coursework; dissertation project; extracurricular activities; volunteering; membership in relevant societies, etc.

The closing paragraph of your cover letter should reiterate your desire to get the specific internship, express gratitude to the recipient for their time and consideration, and include a final call for action (i.e. "I look forward to discussing the next steps during an interview." )

Finally, based on how you greeted the recipient of your cover letter, you can sign off with either “ Yours sincerely ,” or “ Yours faithfully ,” . If you addressed the recruiter by their name, sign off with the former; if not, use the latter.

Don't feel like writing your internship cover letter by hand?

Let our AI cover letter writer create the first draft of your internship cover letter!

Undoubtedly, the best way to learn something is to look at specific examples . And that's exactly what we're going to do right now! 

Below, we've prepared 5 internship cover letters written by real people with the help of our cover letter templates .

And, each of them is accompanied by our internship cover letter writing tips that you can implement into your own cover letter! 

FYI, you can use each of these examples as the first draft for your very own internship cover letter – simply click on the red button and start personalising the text (or let AI handle it).

#1 Philips Marketing Intern Cover Letter Sample

Internship cover letter example:.

This cover letter sample was provided by a real person who got hired with Kickresume’s help.

What can you take away?

• Eye-catching header.  Firstly, the header is visually clearly separated from the rest of the text. This makes the recruiters notice it immediately. Plus, the contact information of the company is also featured in the left-hand corner - just like it would be on an actual letter.
• Research the company before applying. Notice sentences like: “ I really like and relate to what Philips stands for … ” and “ Furthermore, it is very appealing that Philips operates on an international level… ”.This shows that the candidate’s done a thorough research of the company's philosophy and structure.

#2 Warner Bros. Public Relations Intern Cover Letter Example

• Share a personal story. This can help you establish a sentimental connection between you and the company. Show them that for you, working for their company means more than any old internship.
• Name-drop a referral. Now, this is a little bit of a cheat code. But, if you happen to know about anyone who has worked/currently works for the company, slip their name into your cover letter.

#3 University of Massachusetts Boston Intern Cover Letter Example

What can you take away  .

• Write about what you want to gain from the internship. It shows that you're not there just to have something to put on your resume; but that you’re motivated by the idea of gaining actual industry knowledge and skills.

#4 Audit/Tax Summer Internship at CohnReznick Cover Letter Sample

• Mention any relevant academic activities. If you're wondering how to write a cover letter for an internship with no experience whatsoever, this is your way to go! For example, notice how this candidate noted all of his relevant courses, skills, association membership, and competition participation.
• Focus on transferrable skills. Especially when your study programme doesn't necessarily fit the internship opening to a T. Instead, focus on any transferable skills you've picked up. 

#5 Intern at NBC Cover Letter Sample

• Keep your opening and closing paragraphs short and sweet. As you can see in this example, it helps keep a certain visual harmony of the overall document. And, despite the length, both paragraphs do exactly what they're supposed to. Besides, recruiters might be discouraged to read the rest of your cover letter if your introductory paragraph is too long.

To sum it all up, an internship cover letter is a formal document that you submit together with your resume when applying for an internship. Its content should be something between a traditional cover letter and a motivational letter.

Its purpose is to introduce yourself to the recruiters in a more personal way than the resume allows. 

The main things you want your internship cover letter to communicate are:

• who you are,
• why you're interested in this opportunity,
• what make you the best fit for the internship, 
• your motivation (your long-term professional goals),
• your desire to learn (what you want to gain from the experience).

To write a truly impactful and persuasive cover letter, we recommend following these 7 key steps: 

• Specify which internship you're applying for in the subject line.
• Include your contact information in a header.
• Address the recipient appropriately.
• Introduce yourself & your motivations in the opening paragraph.
• Elaborate on why you're a good fit and what motivated you in body.
• End your cover letter with a confident closing paragraph.
• Finish off with a polite sign off. 

Finally, if you feel that the examples provided in this article aren't enough, you can always find more in our cover letter database . 

Julia has recently joined Kickresume as a career writer. From helping people with their English to get admitted to the uni of their dreams to advising them on how to succeed in the job market. It would seem that her career is on a steadfast trajectory. Julia holds a degree in Anglophone studies from Metropolitan University in Prague, where she also resides. Apart from creative writing and languages, she takes a keen interest in literature and theatre.

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How to Write a Cover Letter for Internship (Examples & Template)

You’ve found the perfect internship and it’s now time to apply and land the position!

But, in addition to your resume, you also have to write an internship cover letter.

You might end up staring at the blank Word document for hours and nothing comes out.

We don’t blame you; cover letters are hard to write even if you have a decade’s worth of work experience, let alone if you’re a recent graduate or a student.

Worry not, though; in this article, we’re going to teach you all you need to know to write a compelling cover letter for your internship.

• Do you need a cover letter for an internship?
• How to write a compelling cover letter for an internship
• Plug and play internship cover letter template

Do I Need a Cover Letter for an Internship?

First things first—if you’re wondering whether you actually need a cover letter for your internship application, the answer is yes . 

An internship application is just like any other hiring process, meaning that a recruiter will go over your resume , cover letter (and maybe even references), and decide whether you’re qualified for the position. 

And yes, recruiters contrary to what you might think, recruiters do read your cover letter. 56% of recruiters prefer a cover letter with an applicant’s application.

This is reasonable - a cover letter allows you to add essential information you didn’t have space for in a resume, as well as explain (in words) how your experiences are tied to the role you’re applying for.

As such, a cover letter for an internship is essential and complementary to your application package.

Now that we got that out of the way, let’s go over all the best ways to write a cover letter for an internship. 

How to Write a Cover Letter for Internship

#1. respect the format.

Before you can focus on your cover letter’s contents, you should first make sure you’re sticking to the right format. 

Otherwise, your cover letter will be disorganized and the recruiter will have a hard time following your train of thought.

So, here’s the format that your cover letter for an internship should follow: 

• Header with contact information. This includes your full name, professional email, phone number, and LinkedIn profile (if you have one). Underneath your contact info, you should add the date and the receiver’s information (the recruiter’s name and title, the company/organization name, and their physical address). 
• Addressing the recruiter. Greeting the recruiter with “Dear Sir/Madam” or “To Whom It May Concern” is common, but not the best approach. Want to show the hiring manager that you did your research? We recommend you address the hiring manager by name directly. Our guide on how to address a cover letter covers everything you need to know on this topic!      
• Opening statement. Your opening statement should be brief, but at the same time professional and attention-grabbing. Here, you introduce yourself, mention the position you’re applying for, and potentially a key achievement or two.   
• Body. The body of your cover letter consists of 2-3 paragraphs where you highlight your education, provide background for your skills, and explain how you (and the company) would benefit from each other professionally. 
• Closing paragraph. Your closing paragraph is your chance to include a call to action, to thank the recruiters for their time, or mention anything important you left out. 
• Formal salutation. End your cover letter with a formal salutation such as “kind regards,” “sincerely,” or “best regards.” Our guide on how to end a cover letter can teach you all you need to know on the topic. 

Having trouble getting started with your cover letter? Read our guide on how to start a cover letter and get inspired!

#2. State the Position You’re Applying For in the Opening

Recruiters hate one-size-fits-all cover letters and resumes.

Around 48% of recruiters and hiring managers aren’t even going to read your cover letter if it’s not customized to the role you’re applying for.

And one of the easiest ways to do this is by mentioning the role you’re applying for right in the cover letter opening.

This allows you to:

• Show that you will be tailoring the rest of your cover letter for that position alone.
• Prove that your cover letter is customized for this specific internship, and you’re not just randomly applying for the job,

Here’s a practical example of how you can mention the role you’re applying for in the cover letter opening:

Dear Mr. Jacobs, 

It is my pleasure to apply for the Communications Assistant internship position at the United Nations Development Programme. I can confidently say based on my 2-year experience working as a journalist and my excellent academic results in the Mass Communications Major that I’d be a good fit for the position. 

#3. Mention the Right Keywords

When reviewing your application, hiring managers tend to scan your cover letter or resume and look for the right keywords that would make you qualified for the internship you’re applying for.

E.g. If you're applying for a job in graphic design, the recruiter is probably looking for keywords like “Photoshop,” “Illustrator,” or “InDesign.”

As such, it’s very important to include the right keywords in your cover letter.

How can you find these keywords, you might ask?

It’s actually pretty simple - just look at the internship job description and go through the required skills & responsibilities and identify the keywords that you’d think the recruiter would be looking for.

Then, do the following:

• Sprinkle some of those keywords throughout your cover letter. When relevant, back them up with an experience. E.g. don’t just say “I’m good at Photoshop,” say how you’ve taken 3 different Photoshop classes and used Photoshop for 2 different projects.
• Don’t include keywords that don’t apply to you, they’ll just make it seem like you’re copy-pasting from the job description.
• Research and add other popular soft skills that recruiters look for in applicants for the role you’re applying for. E.g. If you’re applying for an internship as a communications assistant, chances are, you’ll need strong communication skills (even if this is not something listed in the job description.

Now, let’s look at a practical example. Let’s say that the internship you’re applying for requires the following skills:

• Communication
• Ability to meet strict deadlines

Here’s how you’d mention this in your cover letter:

During my time as Editor in Chief at my University’s newspaper, I got to develop my communication and leadership skills significantly. For over two years, I was in charge of a 7 people team, which also helped my teamwork skills and my ability to meet deadlines. 

Keep in mind, though, that it IS possible to overdo it with the keywords.

44% of hiring managers say they will dismiss a resume or cover letter that looks as if it has copied the job posting. 

Using each and every keyword mentioned in the job description (without backing the skills up with experiences) might cause the hiring manager to think that you’re just copying the job ad & don’t actually have these skills.

So, don’t just copy-paste all the keywords from the job description, and if you DO mention a lot of those keywords, make sure to back them up with practical experiences.

#4. Highlight Your Education

If you don’t have a lot of work experience, your education and relevant coursework is your best chance to show that you’re a good fit for the internship. 

Letting the recruiter know what kind of courses you’ve completed that are relevant to the internship you’re applying for will be a big plus for your application. 

Say, for example, that you’re applying for an internship as a graphic designer. To make your internship cover letter impactful, make sure to mention all the relevant courses and related accomplishments. 

Here’s an example of how you could do that:

As a Visual Design major, I have completed several courses that have helped me build my professional portfolio. A few of the most beneficial ones have been Design & Layout and Visual Communication: Theory and Practice. I have also gained valuable experience doing the layout of the university’s newspaper for 4 years and of several books as independent projects. 

#5. Provide Background For Your Skills

It’s one thing to just claim that you have a set of skills and another to prove it. 

Anyone can say that they’re great at doing something, but what makes all the difference is when you can actually put your money where your mouth is. 

For example, in your internship cover letter, instead of just mentioning that you have “good time-management skills,” actually back it up with a past experience that proves it.

During the summers I assisted my family’s wedding planning business, I learned a lot about time management. In that kind of business, it’s important that things run like clockwork so in addition to time management skills, it also significantly improved my attention to detail. 

#6. Explain Why You’re a Good Fit For The Position

In addition to just listing out the skills that are relevant and beneficial for the internship, you should also explain why you are a good fit for the position. 

This means that you should connect the dots between what the company/organization is looking to gain from its interns and what you can do to provide those services. 

So, after you research and create an understanding of what is required of you, you should use your cover letter to explain why you’re a good fit for that position. 

For the sake of the example, let’s assume you’re applying for an internship at a Human Rights organization. A big chunk of what the role requires is categorizing virtual files of the cases the organization has worked on in the past.

What you want to do, in this case, is show how you can help with that particular job as an intern. Here’s how:  

I have spent 3 summers working at the National Library, where I was tasked to sort and categorize books based on their topic, author, and year of publication, and also memorize where each section fits in the library. I believe this skill, which I have perfected over the years, can really be of use for the internship position at Organization X.

#7. Describe What You Would Gain Professionally

In addition to showing (and proving) your skills and how you can benefit the company, you should also explain how getting the position will benefit YOU . 

When it comes to internships, oftentimes they serve the purpose of helping students and young professionals acquire in-depth knowledge about the industry, create a network, and develop skills that will benefit them throughout their careers. 

So, it will surely help you make an even better impression if you show that you are self-aware about what you’ll get out of the internship and how it will help you grow professionally. 

Here’s how you can do that: 

I am excited for this internship to provide me with the necessary customer service skills and network that will help me grow professionally in my future career as a customer service manager. 

#8. Proofread Your Cover Letter

After all, is written and done, there’s one final thing to do and that is make sure your cover letter doesn’t have mistakes. 

A spelling or grammar mistake probably won’t disqualify you, but at the same time, it will probably be a red flag for recruiters that you’re not too attentive.

For this reason, ask a friend to proofread your cover letter or use spell-checking software such as Grammarly and Hemingway . 

Want to know what other cover letter mistakes you should avoid? Our guide on cover letter mistakes has all you need to know on the topic! 

#9. Match Your Cover Letter & Resume Designs

Want your internship application to truly shine?

Match your cover letter design with your resume!

Sure, you could go with a generic Word cover letter template, but why fit in when you can stand out?

At Novorésumé, all our resume templates come with a matching cover letter template , guaranteed to make your application truly special.

Cover Letter for Internship Template

Struggling to create a cover letter for your internship?

Simply follow our tried-and-tested internship cover letter template!

Key Takeaways 

And that’s a wrap! You should now have all the necessary information about how to create a cover letter for an internship.

Now, let’s do a small recap of the key learning points we just covered:

• Cover letters are a must when you’re applying for an internship.
• When you start writing your cover letter, make sure you respect the format: the header with contact information, the greeting to the recruiter, an opening paragraph, the body with 2-3 paragraphs, and a closing paragraph followed by an official salutation and your name.
• Some of our main tips on how to write a cover letter for an internship include: state the position you’re applying for, make use of the right keywords, and back up your skills with experiences.
• Use a cover letter builder and match it with your resume to make sure your cover letter truly stands out from the rest.

Related Readings: 

• Entry-level Cover Letter
• Do I Need a Cover Letter in 2024?
• Top 21 Cover Letter Tips

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How to Write a Cover Letter for an Internship [Examples & Template]

Published: September 15, 2023

Writing a cover letter can feel like a daunting task, especially if you don’t have a lot of real-world experience.

Fortunately, a cover letter is actually a chance to explain how your extracurriculars and classes have taught you exceptional leadership and time management skills.

We’ve created an internship cover letter template to provide some initial structure and inspiration. For the best results, download our template, then add your own creativity and flair with the tips below.

5 Free Cover Letter Templates

Five fill-in-the-blank cover letter templates to help you impress recruiters.

• Standard Cover Letter Template
• Entry-Level Cover Letter Template
• Data-Driven Cover Letter Template

You're all set!

Click this link to access this resource at any time.

How to Write a Cover Letter for an Internship

• Include your name, date, location, and contact information.
• Include the company, department, and company address.
• Address the hiring manager.
• Set the context for your application.
• Sell your experience.
• Close the letter with grace and a call to action.

There are different formats you can use when writing internship cover letters, but you can’t go wrong with the traditional business letter format. Business professionals use this template style to apply for full-time roles, so your cover letter will stand out above the rest. Remember to proofread, use formal terms such as “Dear” and “Sincerely,” and lean towards a professional tone in your body copy.

1. Include your name, date, location, and contact information.

Although some companies are firmly against using applicant tracking systems, chances are many of the companies you apply to  will screen your resume and cover letter using one. That means you’ll need to stand out to both an automated system and human recruiters.

Have you ever heard the myth that you’d get credit for writing your name on the SAT exam? The same applies to adding contact information to your cover letter, but it’s 100% true. Make it easy for the recruiter to get in touch with you by providing an up-to-date phone number and email address.

In the past, it was common for job and internship seekers to include their exact address on their cover letter as they’d mail them directly to the hiring managers. In today’s digital world, most hiring teams won’t need to know your exact home address to extend an internship offer, so feel free to leave it off. Simply include your city and state to give the team an idea of your proximity to the office.

Your Address

Your City, State, Zip Code

Cell: 555-555-5555

Email: [email protected]

2. Include the company, department, and company address.

If you’re writing a cover letter for several internship opportunities, you’ll find it helpful to search the full name, department, and headquarters address of each company. Doing this as a separate step will help you copy the information accurately in your cover letter. Remember, you don’t want any typos or mistakes in your cover letter, especially when it comes to information that can be easily found on the internet.

Finding the department name may not be as simple, so you can leave that out if you’re unsure. If your company has several campuses or operates in different cities, use the address of the location where the internship will be performed or the office location where your hiring manager works. If your internship will be remote, use the company’s general headquarters address.

City, State Zip

3. Address the hiring manager.

As a student looking for an internship, you’ll definitely set yourself apart from other applicants by being resourceful. You can show your resourcefulness by searching for the hiring manager’s name to properly address them in your cover letter. Occasionally, their title is stated in the role description. You can then search for the role on LinkedIn to identify their name. If you can’t find a name, you can instead address them by title only. Other times, though, finding the name of the hiring manager could be more difficult. If a Google search doesn’t return a first and last name, your best bet is to leave the name out. Sacrificing a bit of personalization is much better than addressing the wrong person in your cover letter.

Dear X, (try to find the hiring manager’s name… if you can’t, you can put “Dear [Company A] Hiring Committee”)

4. Set the context for your application.

In the first paragraph, explain how you heard about the company or position, and if you know anyone at the company, mention them here. Next, express your own interest in the company or position and explain briefly how it relates to your own passions. Don’t forget to introduce yourself in this paragraph, writing your name, your education level, your major, and your interests.

You may opt for a creative first line to capture the reader’s attention. One that worked for me early in my career went something like this:

“ Can I tell you a secret? I’ve been telling stories since I was five years old. No, not fibbing — real storytelling... ”

This is where you’ll benefit from researching the company’s culture. While this opening statement worked well for startups and more laid-back companies, a big accounting firm might find it culturally off-beat.

5. Sell your experience.

Scan the internship position description and pick out a few qualities you think apply to you — just don’t choose all the descriptors mentioned as it could appear disingenuous and make your cover letter too long. For instance, if I see a company is looking for someone who’s “outgoing, organized, hardworking, and willing to take criticism,” I would pick those that describe me best and focus on providing examples in the body of my cover letter.

Mentioning the traits directly in your cover letter shows you’ve read the position description, and makes your cover letter more scannable. If the hiring manager is looking for someone with content skills, she might scan your cover letter looking for the words that indicate experience with content.

Finally, brainstorm a few compelling examples to show how you embody the most important characteristics. Don’t just write, “I have excellent customer service skills.” You want to prove it. Support your claim by writing something like,

“ Last summer, I worked as an orientation leader at my college, serving as a resource for incoming students and their parents. This experience strengthened my customer service skills. ”

Even if you don't have a lot of (or any) job experience, think about highlighting skills you've gained from extracurriculars, volunteer experience, or even passion projects:

“My passion for dance led me to become a volunteer dance teacher which helped me develop as a leader.”

6. Close the letter with grace and a call to action.

If the internship application does not explicitly state “please do not contact,” you might choose to conclude by specifying how you will follow up, such as, “I will call next week to see if my qualifications are a match,” or, “I am eager to meet with you to discuss this opportunity, and am available for an interview at a mutually convenient time.” Conclude by thanking the hiring manager for taking the time to consider you, and end on a positive, confident note, such as, “I look forward to speaking with you soon.”

You may even go a step further and give the hiring manager a call to action. Include a link to your online portfolio, a website, or even a YouTube channel where you display your work and personality. To see how often hiring managers are viewing these additional items, include tracking to your link using a URL tracker like Bitly to capture that data.

Sample Internship Cover Letter

Featured resource: 5 free cover letter templates, event planning internship cover letter.

1 Hireme Road

Boston, MA, 20813

Email: [email protected]

May 20, 2021

Event Planning Department -- Internship Program

35 Recruiting St.

Boston, MA, 29174

Dear Internship Coordinator,

At the suggestion of John Smith, a senior marketer at Company A, I am submitting my resume for the Event Coordinator internship position. I am a junior at Elon University, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Sport and Event Management, and am passionate about event planning. I am thrilled to hear about Company A’s Event Coordinator internship program and feel my experiences and skills would be an excellent match for your organization.

As an executive member of the Student Union Board at Elon, I am in charge of organizing, promoting, and implementing multiple school-related social activities per week, while being challenged to design new events. I work cohesively with a diverse team made up of students and faculty, and I also foster relationships with novelty companies.

My experience as an Orientation Leader has further prepared me for this internship. It was essential that I remain positive, outgoing, and energized during move-in day and act as a liaison between new students, families, and faculty in a fast-paced and demanding environment. I was expected to maintain a highly professional customer service ethic while interacting with families and new students.

My Elon University experiences, executive board membership, and orientation leadership role have prepared me to be successful in the Event Coordinator internship program. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how I can add value to Company A.

(handwritten signature)

Marketing Internship Cover Letter Template

Marketing Department — Internship Program

I am a passionate, creative, and driven Elon University student with leadership and event planning experience, as well as strong communication skills. I am seeking opportunities to showcase my writing abilities in a challenging and stimulating environment. My skills and experiences will enable me to deliver successful results as a digital marketing intern for Company B.

Please allow me to highlight my key skills:

• Prior experience writing blog posts and press releases for marketing objectives
• Strong communication skills and ability to adopt voice for diverse audiences and varying purposes
• Efficient in managing multiple projects with fast-moving deadlines through organization and time-management skills
• A firm understanding of grammar rules and how to write effectively
• Experience in leadership positions, both as Student Union Board executive leader and as an Elon Orientation Leader
• Proven ability to form positive relationships with people from around the globe, exhibited by my internship experience in China last summer
• Experience organizing, promoting, and implementing social events
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, and Premiere), and social media platforms

In closing, I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how I can be an asset to Company B. I will call next week to see if you agree that my qualifications are a match for the position. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Internship Cover Letter Examples

1. hospitality internship cover letter, why this cover letter example works:.

Passion, a willingness to learn, and previous industry experience are the factors that make this cover letter stand out. The hiring manager is able to see that the candidate has a genuine interest in the field of hospitality and takes their future in the field seriously.

How to incorporate these tips:

Start by analyzing your own experience and interest in comparison to the internship you're applying for. Do you have any examples, facts, or figures that you can include in your letter? This will help the hiring manager understand your interest in the position and give them more of a reason to hire you over the competition.

2. Supply Chain Internship Cover Letter

This student has concrete experience in three specific areas of the supply chain: demand forecasting, inventory management, and logistics strategies. Naming these areas of expertise is not only helpful for landing the internship, it helps the hiring manager structure the team by pairing them with other interns and mentors who can complement that skillset. If there's anything a hiring manager loves more than a prepared hire, it's a hire who's proactive!

3. Fashion Design Internship Cover Letter

Hands-on experience isn't possible in every field of work, but when you aspire to work in the fashion industry, there's no better way to stand out for an internship. In this internship cover letter example, Peter shares that he has practical experience designing clothing which demonstrates his ability to illustrate, design, and produce a material product which is exactly what Sleeves & Thread is looking for. 

Roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty. If you're planning to work in an industry that produces material goods, technology, or even provides services, a great way to prove your chops is to do it before you get the job. This might look like starting a small summer side hustle, working pro bono, or taking on projects at school for extra credit. Whatever route you choose, make sure to take on projects that build a quality portfolio that hiring managers will want to see.

4. Finance Internship Cover Letter

Rebecca takes the time to highlight her skillset, but she also balances her cover letter with reasons why Banking Corporation will be a great fit for her budding career. She gives plenty of reasons why the company is appealing to her which helps balance the cover letter.

The obvious point of a cover letter is to sell your skills to the hiring manager in order to secure the internship. However, it's important to remember that the hiring process is a two-way street. It's beneficial to incorporate reasons why you want to work for the business. Explaining what the business is doing that aligns with your personal goals and values can be the factor that tips the scale in your favor and gets you hired.

5. Marketing Cover Letter Internship Example

If you work in the industry of the arts, creative, or marketing, chances are you'll have more freedom when it comes to drafting your cover letter. Here, Robin takes a novel approach by weaving colorful language that practically jumps off the page. With just enough pizazz, her personality shines through which could leave the hiring manager wanting to learn more.

It may be tempting to throw in flowery language for the sake of standing out, but proceed with caution. A better approach would be to imagine you're seeing the internship opportunity for the first time, then share your excitement with a friend. Next, write down what you said, exactly as you said it, and edit from there to include the key points of a cover letter we mention in this article. You'll sound natural while still getting your point across succinctly.

Internship Cover Letter Templates

Standard internship cover letter template.

Use this cover letter template as a foundation for your cover letter. You can customize it to fit your experience and the companies you’ll be applying to.

Download this cover letter template

Data-Driven Internship Cover Letter Template

If your major is data-driven like STEM, marketing, or accounting, this is the internship cover letter template for you. With this template, you can include the data highlights of your class projects and assignments to show the hiring manager that you can support your experience with credible facts.

Entry-level Cover Letter Template

As you approach your senior year of college, you may be looking for entry-level roles rather than internships. Cover letters are just as important for full-time roles as they are for internships, so use this template to make the transition in your job search.

Wrapping Up Your Letter of Recommendation

A resume isn’t always enough to make an impression. Including a cover letter in your internship application is the first step to setting yourself apart from other applicants. Study and apply the six steps for writing a professional internship cover letter and use one of these samples or templates to customize it. Your resume gives the highlights of your time in college while your cover letter tells the story of how those experiences will serve you as an intern with your future employer. Use it to your advantage to land the first role in your career as you navigate college and beyond.

Editor's note: This post was originally published in April 2018 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

This article was written by a human, but our team uses AI in our editorial process. Check out our full disclosure to learn more about how we use AI.

Don't forget to share this post!

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How To Write A Cover Letter For An Internship (With Examples)

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Summary. To write a cover letter for an internship you will want to start with a header and a professional greeting. Then, your opening paragraph will hook in your reader with your interest and qualifications, while the following paragraphs will tell a story that underscores your value.

Applying for an internship is a great way to jump-start the beginning of your career . Every application requires something different in the process. When you’re first starting out in your job search , writing a great cover letter is the best way to get noticed by a potential employer as a valued candidate for the job.

Putting forth the extra effort of articulating your work experience, skills , and education and why it lends itself well to the position you are applying for will set you up for early success with your prospective employer.

Key Takeaways:

A cover letter helps increase your chance to gain an internship.

Internship cover letters are written very similarly to traditional cover letters.

Use keywords from the job description in your cover letter so that the applicant tracking systems (ATS) will send your application along. Upwards of 75% of applications are tossed out before ever reaching an actual hiring manager or recruiter .

Tailor your cover letter to a specific internship.

Since you may lack professional experience, highlight your educational and extracurricular activities in your letter.

How to Write an Internship Cover Letter

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Most cover letters follow a typical format and internship cover letters are no different. Here’s the general structure we will break down:

A header. Your header should list the date and your contact information

A standard greeting. A standard greeting should be polite and professional. Do your best to be able to address a specific person.

An opening paragraph. Your opening paragraph will want to hook the reader in in such a way that clearly demonstrates your interests and qualifications for the internship.

A middle paragraph. The middle paragraph should tell a story that highlights one or two of your qualifications in action.

A closing paragraph. The closing paragraph will show your value and includes a call-to-action.

A sign-off. Respectfully end your internship cover letter with your full name.

Building a header in your cover letter is easy. List your full name and then your contact information directly following, similar to how you build a resume . This allows employers to know exactly who the cover letter is from and how to reach you.

Maria Smith 612 East Street New York, NY , 10002 [email protected]

Start with a standard greeting. If you know the exact name of the hiring manager , you should use it.

To find the hiring manager’s name , check the job posting for the name of an individual or an email address that clearly indicates a name (e.g., [email protected]). If you can’t find a name in the job listing, consult the company’s careers page on their website or check LinkedIn.

If all else fails, you can always call the company and ask who you should address your cover letter to, based on the internship you’re applying for. You can address your cover letter to the person’s full name, or use “Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name].” We don’t recommend using “Mrs.” ever since it’s tough to find out the marital status of your cover letter’s recipient.

While we recommend trying your best to find a name, it might not always be possible. In those cases, you can simply use “Dear Hiring Manager” or one of its alternatives .

Dear Ms. Candleson, Dear Jon Brown, Dear Hiring Manager,

Your opening paragraph should include a few things to stand out.

Be sure your opening contains the exact job title you’re applying for. It’s good practice to emphasize your interest in this position. These two key things can impress the hiring manager and show them that you are thoughtful and pay close attention to detail.

It can also be helpful to human resources departments who may have multiple applications for different roles across the company.

I am interested in applying for the Content Marketing internship at ABC Company.

Next, scour the internship description for keywords that stand out. Write them down or highlight them so that you can use them in your cover letter.

For example, if the job description lists ‘strong writing skills,’ ‘impeccable editing skills,’ and ‘effective communication’ as significant qualities they’re looking for , try to convey those abilities into your cover letter.

Speaking directly to the qualifications listed in the job details will get the attention of the hiring manager. It’s also another detail that many applicants often overlook.

Over the past four years in my studies at Penn State University, I have developed strong writing and editing skills that effectively communicate key details in written works.

Here are a few options for writing a winning cover letter opening. Feel free to use just one or incorporate a few different elements — remember that being concise is also important, especially early on.

Share your enthusiasm for the organization. Hiring managers get tons of applicants for interns. The key to standing out is to do your research and apply what you learn in your cover letter. Write about what drew you to the company based on their values, mission, or something else.

Be passionate. You need to come across as someone who has a deep and abiding love for the field. We know you’re likely fresh out of college (or still in it), but don’t worry about your lack of experience. Instead, focus on your passion and the fresh perspective you’ll bring to the company.

Tell a story. Storytelling is a great way to hook the reader in early. If you have a significant accomplishment under your belt from your time in school or at another job, share it early on.

Including quantitative data (numbers) to support and give context to your achievement will help hiring managers and recruiters see the true impact of your contributions.

Connect to the company. If you have a personal relationship with the company, whether as a user/consumer of their products or a friend/family member who works there, mentioning it early on can be a smart move.

In your middle paragraphs , focusing on relevant skills is key. Since this is an application for an internship, you may not have any prior relevant work history. By focusing on your skills, you can easily sidestep this issue.

A variety of experiences can be used here. Think about any clubs, groups, or volunteer work you may have participated in. Mention practical skills like time management, multitasking , or your experience working in groups.

If possible, try to use concrete examples with numbers for extra emphasis.

I have always had a love for developing strong and persuasive content. During the summer months, I volunteered at a local library where I focused on their social media marketing activities including Facebook, Twitter, and email newsletters. My attention to detail and carefully constructed prose reached 50,000 members monthly, resulting in a 12% increase in library membership during my time there.

Don’t forget to include information regarding relevant coursework. Since work history might be limited, it’s okay to focus additional attention here.

Discussing your studies is helpful for employers to understand what skills you’ve already learned and which they may need to take time to develop. Be sure to mention any achievements you may have had during your time at school.

I am currently a senior at PSU, working towards a degree in Marketing. I have taken three Persuasive Writing courses as well as an Email and Social Media Marketing course to develop my abilities in writing content that not only resonates but converts. Additionally, I was chosen as a finalist in the PSU Short Story competition for my submission ‘A Life Beyond’ which is featured in the PSU Student Writers Literary Magazine: 2020 Spring Edition.

As you would do in sales, it’s important to end with value. Write your closing paragraph explaining how you’d benefit the business with your experience and skills.

Align the key qualifications the employer mentions in the job posting and adjust and prioritize so that they fit your current experience. This isn’t about embellishing, it’s just about adapting so that your abilities get the chance to shine.

As a writer with a variety of narrative, persuasive, and business writing experience, I have the experience and passion needed to write great marketing copy with clear, straightforward words. or As a student with a heavy focus in marketing today, I believe I have the experience and passion needed to bring ABC Company’s marketing content to the next level.

Now describe why you believe you’re a good fit for the role. This can be anything from aligned values, passion about current projects, or simply your hunger for gaining more experience in a specific area. Be honest! It’s possible your potential employer could bring up details in your cover letter in initial interviews.

I am deeply passionate about providing valuable and interesting content to readers who are hungry to learn. I believe I would make a great addition to ABC Company’s marketing team.

Finally, end your cover letter with a common close and your name. You can use something generic, or end on a more personal note.

Sincerely, Maria Smith or Thank you for your consideration, Maria Smith

Of course, your work is not done here. You’ll need to write a thoughtful email in which you’ll attach your resume and cover letter. This email should be short and sweet, as the employer will read all the juicy details of your skills and experience in both your cover letter and resume.

Afterwards set aside some time to proofread. It’s important to run your letter through a program like Grammarly or Microsoft Word to pick up on any spelling or grammatical errors. You’ll want to focus on being as detail-oriented as possible in your cover letter, to maintain your desired level of professionalism.

Maria Smith 612 East Street New York, NY , 10002 [email protected] Dear Ms. Felton, I am interested in applying for the Content Marketing internship at ABC Company. Over the past four years in my studies at Penn State University, I have developed strong writing and editing skills that effectively communicate key details in written works. I have always loved developing strong and persuasive content. During the summer months, I volunteered at a local library where I focused on their social media marketing activities including Facebook, Twitter, and email newsletters. My attention to detail and carefully constructed prose reached 50,000 members monthly, resulting in a 12% increase in library membership during my time there. I am currently a senior at PSU, working towards a degree in Marketing. I have taken three Persuasive Writing courses as well as an Email and Social Media Marketing course to develop my abilities in writing content that not only resonates but converts. Additionally, I was chosen as a finalist in the PSU Short Story competition for my submission ‘A Life Beyond’ which is featured in the PSU Student Writers Literary Magazine: 2020 Spring Edition. As a writer with a variety of narrative, persuasive, and business writing experience, I have the experience and passion needed to write great marketing copy with clear, straightforward words. I am deeply passionate about providing valuable and interesting content to readers who are hungry to learn. I believe I would make a great addition to ABC Company’s marketing team. Sincerely, Maria Smith

Remember, after you are done with your cover letter, you still need to craft a professional email. Keep it short and sweet. Take a look at the example below to get some ideas.

Dear Ms. Felton, Attached, please find my resume and cover letter for the Content Marketing internship at ABC company. Thank you for your consideration, Maria Smith

To make sure your cover letter for an internship is well-received, make sure to follow these tips:

Use keywords. In today’s world, the job application game is all about keywords. Many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to parse application materials to make sure you meet certain criteria. That means that upwards of 75% of applications are tossed out by software before ever reaching an actual hiring manager or recruiter.

Customize each cover letter. Writing a good cover letter can be time-consuming, but we recommend customizing each cover letter you write for the specific company and internship opportunity. Hiring managers can tell a generic cover letter from a customized one, and you’d better believe that most internships are fiercely competitive.

Leverage your college activities. For most job-seekers, a cover letter shouldn’t dwell too much on education beyond possibly mentioning your relevant degrees.

But for internships, your educational achievements are the most recent, relevant, and compelling assets you have. Pay special attention to successful group projects you participated in — jobs in the real world rarely happen without collaboration.

Stick to proper cover letter length . Cover letters should be between 200-400 words long, about half a page, and 3-4 paragraphs. Ideally, you should stick to at or below 300 words. Hiring managers are busy people, and most cover letters are skimmed rather than read. Make your cover letter easy to skim and only include relevant information.

Don’t get fancy. It’s common for recent graduates to assume the whole corporate world uses the same $5 words that your college professor wants you to use in your exam papers. That’s not the case.

People prefer short, easy-to-read sentences and commonly-used words. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that using big words and complicated sentence structures makes you sound smart — it turns people off and makes you seem inauthentic.

Do I need a cover letter for an internship?

Yes, you do need a cover letter for an internship. You more than likely don’t have much relevant work experience going into an internship, so it’s going to be important that you point out the connections between the skills and experience you do have with the internship you’re applying for, and a cover letter is the easiest way to do that.

In addition to showing how your skills will help you in the internship, a cover letter allows you to share your other most sellable quality with hiring managers: your passion for the work you’d be doing in the position.

Talking about why you want to enter the industry, the company, and the specific role will go a long way in convincing hiring managers to give you an interview, especially if you explain how your passion will further the organization.

Even with these reasons in favor of writing a cover letter for an internship, there are also exceptions to the rule, and one of the biggest is if the employer specifically tells you not to include a cover letter or does not provide space to submit one. This is rare, but it’s important to know that it is possible to find yourself in this situation.

How do I write a cover letter for a competitive internship?

To write a cover letter for a competitive internship, you need to find and focus on your qualifications that match the internship requirements best. These may include your work experience, technical skills, soft skills, interests, and goals, or some combination of all of them.

When you’re writing a cover letter, you should have three body paragraphs. The first one is a brief opener that identifies the internship you’re applying for and hooks the reader in. You can do this with a story, a connection with the company, or a summary of your most impressive and applicable qualifications.

Your next paragraph will be where you describe why you’d be a good fit for the internship and what sets you apart from other candidates. Show how your skills, experiences, goals, and interests align with the position.

As you write, reference the internship job description to make sure you incorporate the keywords listed in its requirements into your cover letter.

Don’t lie or even stretch the truth, but if the posting says, “strong communication skills,” use that verbiage instead of saying something like “excellent speaker and writer.”

This will help both human and electronic screeners find the qualifications they’re looking for in your application more easily and increase your chances of getting through to the next stage of the hiring process.

Finally, close with an overview of what you would add to the team, department, or company if you were an intern there and a call to action. This could be a request for an interview or a more subtle note about how you’d like to talk to the hiring manager some more about the position.

How can I get an internship with no experience?

You can get an internship with no experience by showing hiring managers how to apply your skills and experience to the internship.

Internships are designed for candidates with little to no relevant professional experience, so don’t sweat it if you haven’t worked in the industry before. A lack of experience just means you’ll need to work a little harder on your cover letter to show why you are qualified for the position.

To do this, look at the internship description and note any of the qualifications you meet, drawing on your classroom experience, volunteer work, or any other kind of professional or semi-professional opportunities.

For example, you might have learned communication and conflict management skills from working on group projects in college, and you might have developed your customer service skills while volunteering for a food pantry or working in a coffee shop. All of this experience is valuable, and employers will respect it.

Because of this, your goal in writing your cover letter should be to help the reader see the connection between your experience and skills and the internship’s requirements.

What typically qualifies you for an internship?

Having some applicable professional or educational experience, soft skills, and enthusiasm typically qualifies you for an internship. The technical details of this will change depending on the industry, company, and position, but these are the general qualifications you need to have.

Most internships aren’t expecting to get candidates with years of industry experience or even much professional experience of any kind.

Instead, they look for students or recent graduates who have taken enough classes to have the basic technical skills needed to help out the company: strong soft skills like communication and time management, and an enthusiasm for working hard and learning.

Because your qualifying skills come from so many different experiences, your cover letter is vital to helping hiring managers connect the dots between your resume and the internship. Look closely at the requirements listed for the position you’re applying for and note which ones you meet. Then find a way to work those into your cover letter.

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Caitlin Mazur is a freelance writer at Zippia. Caitlin is passionate about helping Zippia’s readers land the jobs of their dreams by offering content that discusses job-seeking advice based on experience and extensive research. Caitlin holds a degree in English from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, PA.

Matt Warzel a President of a resume writing firm (MJW Careers, LLC) with 15+ years of recruitment, outplacement, career coaching and resume writing experience. Matt is also a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and Certified Internet Recruiter (CIR) with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Marketing Focus) from John Carroll University.

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Home » Employer Resources » HR Resources » Internship Offer Letter

Internship Offer Letter: Sample Letter & Tips to Write

Internships are a great way for students and young professionals to gain practical experience, develop skills, and implement the theoretical knowledge they have learned. However, before commencing an internship, the intern-to-be must receive an official internship offer letter from the company. The formal invitation letter outlines the internship’s terms and conditions. This comprehensive blog will discuss the essential components of an internship offer letter. It will also offer tips on how to write the perfect internship offer letter format.

Table of Contents

Components to Include in an Internship Offer Letter

A well-written internship offer letter includes several key elements to ensure clarity and transparency in communicating details. Here are the components that should be included in an official offer letter.

1. Name & Location of the Company

The internship offer letter should begin with the name and any relevant trademark, logo, or letterhead. It should display the address of the company’s headquarters or the internship’s location. Also, include a brief overview of the company’s mission and core values. This information not only emphasizes the credibility of the offer but also gives the intern a clear idea of where they will be working.

2. Address the Letter to the Recipient

An internship offer letter should be addressed directly to the recipient, using their full name and address. Addressing the letter correctly also ensures clarity about who the intended recipient is and the necessary contact details. It is important to double-check the spelling of the recipient’s name and address.

3. Internship Title & Description

A well-crafted job description will help the intern understand the scope of their role and align their expectations from the internship accordingly. State the title of the internship position you are offering to ensure that you accurately describe its role and responsibilities. This section should also outline the specific duties, tasks, and projects the intern will be involved in during their internship. 

4. Internship Start Date/Schedule

The internship offer letter should specify the start date of the internship as well as the expected work schedule. This information ensures the intern can plan accordingly and make the necessary arrangements to pursue the internship. For example, they may need to figure out transportation or accommodation depending on the internship location.

The start date should be clearly stated, including the day, month, and year. The work schedule should outline the hours per day/week the intern is expected to work. It is best to state the nature of the internship, whether it is work-from-home or in-office.

5. Total Internship Period 

It is important to ensure that the internship offer letter states the tenure, including its start and end dates. Additionally, if there is a possibility of future employment after the internship, mention the pre-placement offer. This demonstrates the company’s commitment to nurturing talent and can serve as an added incentive for the intern.

6. Details of the Intern’s Supervisor

The internship offer letter should provide the name and contact information of the intern’s direct supervisor or mentor. This information establishes a clear line of communication and support for the intern throughout the internship. 

The supervisor’s name, title, and email address should be included in the letter. This allows the intern to reach out with any questions or concerns they may have during the internship. Additionally, the supervisor’s role in overseeing the intern’s work and providing feedback should also be briefly described.

7. Compensation Offered & Additional Bonuses/Incentives 

The internship offer letter should outline the compensation or benefits the intern will receive. This includes information about the monetary compensation, such as a stipend and additional bonuses/incentives. 

If the internship is paid, the letter should specify the stipend amount. When writing an offer letter for an unpaid internship, explain any other benefits the intern will receive, such as transportation allowances, certification, etc. Providing details about the compensation and benefits upfront will help the intern make an informed decision about accepting the offer.

8. Legal Disclosures

The offer letter should include any relevant legal disclosures or agreements that the intern must acknowledge and sign, such as:

• Compliance with applicable labor laws and regulations
• Confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements
• Intellectual property rights and ownership

These legal disclosures help protect the company and the intern, ensuring a clear understanding of the internship’s boundaries. Furthermore, explain that the intern should review and sign these documents before beginning their internship.

9. Termination Agreement 

An offer letter should specify the conditions under which an internship can be canceled by either the intern or the company. The letter should specify the notice period required for either party to terminate the agreement. 

Furthermore, state the grounds for termination, such as unsatisfactory performance, breach of contract, or mutual agreement. By addressing this aspect, you ensure a smooth transition in case the internship needs to be terminated early.

10. Acceptance Section 

Provide a clear deadline by which the candidate must formally send the response to the offer letter of acceptance. The deadline should allow sufficient time for the candidate to review the offer letter and make an informed decision. Additionally, include a section within the letter where the candidate can sign to acknowledge their acceptance of the offer and its terms and conditions. 

Internship Offer Letter Template

A sample internship offer letter template is included below to help you understand how to structure and format your offer letter. 

Tips on How to Write an Internship Offer Letter

Here are five tips to help you craft a compelling and professional offer letter format for an internship.

1. Express Congratulations, Gratitude, and Enthusiasm

Start the internship offer letter by expressing your sincere congratulations to the candidate on being selected for the internship. Additionally, express your gratitude for the candidate’s interest in the internship and their willingness to be a part of your organization. This demonstrates your enthusiasm for the candidate, sets a positive tone for the letter, and makes the candidate feel valued.

2. Be Clear and Precise 

The internship offer letter should be written clearly and concisely. Use a formal tone and avoid any ambiguity or jargon that the candidate may not understand. Ensure that the offer letter format for an internship is well-structured, with clear headings, spacing, font choices, and consistent formatting. 

3. Personalize the Letter

It is important to personalize certain aspects of the internship offer letter to make the recipient feel valued and appreciated. Consider addressing the candidate by name and incorporating specific details about their qualifications or achievements that make them a strong candidate for the internship. This personalization helps the candidate feel that the offer is tailored to them and that the company has a genuine interest in their success.

4. Highlight Learning Opportunities

Emphasize the learning opportunities and professional development opportunities in the internship offer letter. Describe how the internship will help the candidate gain valuable experience, develop new skills, and potentially open doors for future employment. By highlighting these aspects of the internship, you can make the offer more compelling and enticing to the candidate. If the company offers a PPO (pre-placement offer), mention the details in the offer letter. 

5. Provide Contact Information for Feedback

Include the contact information of the person the candidate should reach out to if they have any questions or feedback about the internship offer. This demonstrates the company’s willingness to address the candidate’s concerns and ensure a smooth onboarding process. This open line of communication will help address any uncertainties and establish a positive relationship before the internship begins.

An offer letter for an internship is a crucial document that formalizes the agreement between an organization and potential interns. Therefore, it is essential to craft an impressive and professional offer letter. By adhering to the guidelines outlined in this post, you can create an effective and polished offer letter that sets the tone for a successful internship experience. To build a better recruitment strategy and improve hiring efficiency, check out the best applicant tracking systems to use in 2024.

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Shobha Saini, the Head of Human Resources at Internshala, has maintained a stellar track record in employee relations and talent acquisition. With eight exceptional years of experience, she specializes in strategic planning, policy-making, and performance management. A multi-talented individual, she has played a major role in strategizing HR practices in the organization.

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By Peter Coy

Opinion Writer

When I asked new college graduates last month to tell me about their job searches, I got back a ton of heartache. Unanswered applications. Lowered expectations. For some, a sense that college was a waste of time and money.

John York wrote that he was about to earn a master’s degree in mathematics from New York University. “I have submitted close to 400 applications. I have heard back from less than 40, all rejections,” he wrote. “I essentially cannot get any job, because there are no entry-level positions anywhere at all.” He has a patent, he passed the first-level exam for Chartered Financial Analysts and he’s getting his Series 3 license, another financial credential. Nevertheless, he wrote, “It is just so silent, it feels like I am screaming into the void with each application I am filling out.”

Mauricio Naranjo, who is seeking work as a graphic designer, wrote, “Over the past year, I have submitted more than 400 applications and consistently receive a response that appears to be A.I.-generated, stating that unfortunately, they have moved forward with another candidate who better fits their expectations. This is the exact phrasing every time. Very few respond, as most do not reply at all.”

“Exhausting. Utterly demoralizing,” wrote Beth Donnelly, who is graduating this month with a major in linguistics and minors in German and teaching English as a second language. “I’ve been searching since early August for full-time, part-time or internship positions after I graduate. I’ve started putting my ‘desired salary’ at $35,000 in hope that just one person will think, ‘Oh, I won’t have to pay this person a large wage, so they get a leg up in the hiring process.’”

I got some positive responses, too. Lucinda Warnke, who landed a job in journalism as a general assignment reporter, wrote: “I am optimistic and excited! I feel confident in my career trajectory and my ability to build a stable, satisfying career. The job I got out of school comes with a livable wage and benefits, so I can build savings in the event that I am laid off or have some other financially demanding emergency. I feel like I made a good investment in my education because I went to a school that was affordable and studied subjects that balanced my interests with my professional needs.”

A majority of responses were grim, though. That’s not too surprising, given that half of college graduates are underemployed a year after graduation, meaning that they are working in jobs that don’t require the degrees they earned, as I wrote in my April 29 newsletter.

There’s clearly something wrong when young graduates can’t find jobs at the same time that employers complain of not being able to find qualified workers. As of March, there were still fewer unemployed people than job openings, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In April the unemployment rate remained below average at 3.9 percent.

The responses I got aren’t a representative sample of all college graduates. It’s possible that unhappy people were more likely to write in. (I had to leave out some of the angriest and most dejected people because they didn’t want their names to appear.) Separately, my informal impression is that the people who wrote — happy or sad — were more likely to have attended a highly ranked school and to have graduated without student loans than the general student population.

Many students wrote that the jobs they were seeking or secured didn’t draw on what they learned in the classroom. “I will be using the skills I picked up in my data science minor, but nothing from my major (international relations),” Rain Orsi, a 2024 graduate, wrote. “A lot of the educational stuff could’ve been condensed to a 20-page PDF and I probably would be at the same knowledge level,” another student wrote. Jackeline Arcara wrote that if she had it to do over again, “I wouldn’t go to a four-year, fancy-pants school. I would take classes at a local college part-time and see where that takes me.”

Some students said that classroom learning was only part of what made college worthwhile to them. “College gives you four years to grow up — I have the maturity now to handle a full-time job. Before college, not so much,” wrote Caroline Lidz, who got a job in public relations after graduating in December with a degree in media studies and communications and a minor in art history.

Several said internships matter, a lot. “I wish I interned for a company outside of the school instead of being a research/lab assistant,” wrote Roger Vitek, who is graduating in June with a degree in product design and is still job hunting.

Economists have found that what you study in college is at least as important as where you study. As I wrote in my April 29 piece, there’s relatively strong demand for computer science, engineering, mathematics and math-intensive business fields such as finance and accounting.

But as I found out from the people who wrote in, that’s not always the case. Robert Vermeulen, a computer science major, wrote, “Out of the ~155 applications I haven’t had a reference on, I have gotten zero interviews.” Morgan Steckler wrote that he is looking for a software engineering or I.T. administration role paying at least $70,000 a year, but has had no luck so far. He said he’s thinking of bartending while continuing to send out applications. On the positive side, there are people like Warnke, who got a job as a reporter — not exactly a fast-growing profession.

As I read students’ responses, I had to remind myself that this is actually a relatively good year for finding a job. To a lot of members of the class of ’24, it doesn’t feel that way. Julia Brukx, who is graduating with a degree in history and art history, wrote, “I think I hit a new low just this morning when asked to write a cover letter for a retail position.”

Donnelly, the woman who described her job search as demoralizing, wrote: “I was told that if I was involved, active, kind, ready to learn, driven and intelligent, I would end up with a job out of college. This is evidently not true, and few older people seem to understand this.” She added, “I don’t have a backup plan besides working in the service industry.”

Elsewhere: Caps, Not Bans, for Short-Term Rentals

New York City’s Local Law 18, which was passed with the support of the hotel industry, tightens the rules on renting out rooms for less than 30 days. Supporters say renting rooms to tourists raises rents for New Yorkers. But an article published in Harvard Business Review by three scholars — one of whom used to work for Airbnb — calculates that Airbnb caused only about 1 percent of the aggregate increase in rents over the past decade or so. Hosts, guests and the businesses that serve them benefit. To keep certain neighborhoods from being overwhelmed by tourists, the authors recommend caps on how many nights per year a place may be rented out.

Quote of the Day

“The hedonistic conception of man is that of a lightning calculator of pleasures and pains who oscillates like a homogeneous globule of desire of happiness under the impulse of stimuli that shift him about the area, but leave him intact. He has neither antecedent nor consequent.”

— Thorstein Veblen, “Why Is Economics Not an Evolutionary Science?” (1898)

Peter Coy is a writer for the Opinion section of The Times, covering economics and business. Email him at [email protected] . @ petercoy

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News | Journalist sought for Star-News/AAJA-LA local news internship

The intern will work 30 hours per week, covering general assignment and breaking news as well as Asian communities in the San Gabriel Valley.

Preference will be given to applicants invested in or interested in Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, and who have ties to Southern California. Applicants should have experience in news or feature writing. The internship will include at least one in-depth project focusing on issues impacting Asian Americans. College students or recent graduates preferred.

Interns will be required to work remotely at the time of the internship, but may be required to attend occasional meetings in our Pasadena or Monrovia office. Intern must have access to a car or other vehicles to travel to assignments across Southern California.

This position is funded by a grant from the Asian American Journalists Association, Los Angeles Chapter and pays $20 per hour. Interns will be matched with a mentor and receive a free AAJA membership.

Send a cover letter, resume, three writing samples and at least two references to Star-News city editor Ryan Carter at [email protected] and Senior Editor Tom Bray at [email protected] by end of day Friday, May 17.

Please the subject line AAJA-LA/STAR-NEWS REPORTING INTERNSHIP.

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Dear Colleague Letter: Non-Academic Research Internships for Graduate Students in Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies (Hydrogen INTERN) Supplemental Funding Opportunity

May 6, 2024

Dear Colleague:

Fostering the growth of a globally competitive and diverse research workforce and advancing the scientific and innovation skills of U.S. students are strategic objectives of the National Science Foundation (NSF). Supporting the development of a skilled workforce in energy efficiency and renewable energy is a strategic objective of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The NSF and DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) have established a partnership to support internship and training opportunities to meet these strategic objectives with a focus on hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. A new generation of skilled workforce is needed to drive research and development of hydrogen production, delivery, infrastructure, storage, fuel cells, and multiple end uses across transportation, industrial, and stationary power applications. For more information on DOE-EERE's priorities for hydrogen energy research, please see the DOE's Hydrogen Program Areas and the U.S. National Clean Hydrogen Strategy Roadmap .

This Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) describes this unique partnership with DOE EERE's Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office (HFTO) and is aligned with and conforms with the NSF INTERN opportunity described in the Dear Colleague Letter: Non-Academic Research Internships for Graduate Students (INTERN) Supplemental Funding Opportunity . This DCL is referred to as the Hydrogen INTERN DCL.

SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

NSF will consider supplemental funding requests in the broad area of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies that enable PIs (or Co-PIs) to request supplemental support of up to $55,000 and six months for graduate students supported on active NSF grants with the following goals:

• To provide graduate students with the opportunity to augment their research assistantships or NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) fellowships with research internship activities and training opportunities that will complement their academic research training.
• To allow graduate students to pursue new activities aimed at acquiring professional development experience that will enhance their preparation for multiple career pathways after graduation.
• To encourage the participation of the full spectrum of diverse talent in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTIVITIES SUPPORTED

The PI/co-PI of an active NSF award may request supplemental funding for one or more graduate students to gain knowledge, skills, training, and experiences in hydrogen and fuel cell technologies and their application areas.

Internship hosts include, but are not limited to:

• Private sector companies, laboratories, or industry research and development groups.
• Start-up businesses such as, but not limited to, those funded through the NSF's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.
• Department of Energy Laboratories, other government agencies (all levels), and National Laboratories.
• Museums, science centers, and other informal learning settings that educate the public.
• Policy think-tanks.
• Non-profit organizations.

Prior to submission, PIs are encouraged to discuss possible INTERN supplements with the cognizant NSF Program Director Points of Contact listed in this DCL to ensure the proposed internship and its topic are a good fit for this DCL. It is expected that the graduate student and the PI on the NSF grant will work together to identify experiences that add the most educational value for the graduate student through activities that are not already available at the student's academic institution. Further, it is expected that the internship will be research-focused and will be on-site at the host organization unless a specific exception to this is granted by the cognizant Program Director due to extenuating circumstances.

ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for this opportunity, graduate students must have completed at least one academic year in their graduate program (master's or doctoral) prior to commencement of the proposed INTERN activity and be making satisfactory progress toward completion of their degree.

SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING REQUEST PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS

Information about requesting supplemental support is contained in the NSF PAPPG ), Chapter VI.E.5. In addition to the PAPPG requirements for supplemental support, the following materials must be included.

• A two-page summary that describes the internship
• A one-page personal statement from the graduate student describing career goals, accomplishments, and how the activity will better prepare the individual to enter the workforce.
• Research summary to include contribution(s) to research discipline
• Institution(s)
• Year of study (1st year, 2nd year, etc.)
• Completed coursework
• Employment and volunteer/outreach history
• Publications (accepted only)
• Other information relevant to the proposed internship
• A letter of collaboration from an authorized official at the host organization that describes the internship opportunity and mentoring the student will experience during the internship. The letter should include a statement confirming that neither the graduate student nor the PI has a financial interest in the organization hosting the internship.
• An endorsement letter from the PI that confirms that the student meets the eligibility requirements specified in this DCL. The letter must describe how the proposed internship activity will contribute to the student's graduate education experience and how it may impact time to degree.
• The NSF recipient and Host Organization must agree in advance as to how intellectual property (IP) rights will be handled. A signed agreement on IP (including publication and patent rights) must be submitted either as a supplementary document or, via email to the cognizant Program Director after submission of the supplementary funding request and prior to the award of the supplemental funding. NSF is responsible neither for the agreement reached nor the IP information exchanged between the NSF recipient and Host Organization.
• A budget and budget justification.

SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING AMOUNT

The total amount of funding requested must not exceed $55,000 per student per six-month period. NSF plans to fund up to approximately 10 or more supplements in each fiscal year starting with FY 2024, depending on availability of funds.

ALLOWABLE COSTS UNDER THIS DCL

Funds may be used to support travel, tuition and fees, health insurance, additional stipend, and temporary relocation costs for the graduate student. Additional stipends are not allowed for GRFP fellows "on tenure" (currently receiving a GRFP stipend), but a stipend will be considered for fellows "on reserve" (not currently receiving a GRFP stipend) equal to the monthly rate of the GRFP stipend. Up to $2,500 may be used for the PI or the graduate research fellow's advisor to travel to work with the host organization in co-mentoring the student during the internship. Up to $2,500 may be used for materials and supplies to support the student during the internship. Travel costs must be allocated in the budget request for the graduate student to travel once to Washington DC, to present the outcomes of the INTERN project at the DOE's Annual Merit Review meeting. The recipient is permitted to request indirect costs in accordance with their approved/negotiated indirect cost rate. The total requested budget cannot exceed the limits listed under the "Supplement funding amount" section above. Note: Spousal and dependent travel are not supported.

PERIOD OF SUPPORT

The supplement funding will provide up to six months of support for an internship. Up to two supplemental funding requests may be submitted on a grant per student. This would allow the student up to two internship periods of up to six months each (i.e., a maximum of 12 months per student).

Supplemental funding requests may be submitted at any time with a target date of June 15 for Fiscal Year 2024 and April 15 for future Fiscal Years.

SUBMISSION & REVIEW

Requests for supplemental funding must be submitted electronically via Research.gov. A PI or co-PI on an NSF award must contact his/her cognizant program director prior to submission. GRFP INTERN supplement requests are submitted by the GRFP PI, not by the GRFP fellow or the fellow's research advisor. Requests for supplemental funding submitted in response to this DCL will be reviewed internally by NSF Program Officers. All supplements are subject to (a) the availability of funds, and (b) merit review of the supplemental funding request.

• Dr. Prakash Balan, [email protected] - Directorate for Engineering
• Dr. Barbara Ransom, [email protected] - Directorate for Geosciences

SPECIAL AWARD CONDITION

Intellectual Property Rights: Internships under this DCL are considered equivalent to traineeships. The National Science Foundation claims no rights to any inventions or writings that might result from its traineeship awards. However, trainees should be aware that NSF, another Federal agency, or some private party may acquire such rights through other support for particular research. Also, trainees should note their obligation to include an Acknowledgment and Disclaimer in any publication.

POLICY OR CODE ADDRESSING HARASSMENT

Recipients are required to have a policy or code of conduct that addresses sexual harassment, other forms of harassment, and sexual assault. The recipient should work with the Host Organization to ensure that the Host Organization also has a policy or code of conduct that addresses sexual harassment, other forms of harassment, and sexual assault including reporting and complaint procedures and to confirm that such policy both covers and protects INTERN students interacting with the Host Organization. The recipient should also coordinate with the Host Organization to provide orientation to graduate students to cover expectations of behavior to ensure a safe and respectful environment, and to review the recipient and host organization's policy or code of conduct addressing sexual harassment, other forms of harassment, and sexual assault, including reporting and complaint procedures. For additional information, see the NSF policies at https://new.nsf.gov/stopping-harassment .

Susan Marqusee, Assistant Director Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO)

Dilma Da Silva, Acting Assistant Director Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE)

James L. Moore III, Assistant Director Directorate for Education and Human Resources (EDU)

Susan Margulies, Assistant Director Directorate for Engineering (ENG)

Alexandra Isern, Assistant Director Directorate for Geosciences (GEO)

C. Denise Caldwell, Acting Assistant Director Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS)

Alicia Knoedler, Office Head Office of Integrative Activities (OIA)

Kendra Sharp, Office Head Office of International Science and Engineering (OISE)

Kaye Husbands Fealing, Assistant Director Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE)

Erwin Gianchandani, Assistant Director Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnership (TIP)