summer internship cover letter example

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Sample Cover Letter for a Summer Internship

What to Include in Your Cover Letter

Cover letter example for a summer internship, how to send your cover letter, more sample cover letters.

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Are you on the hunt for a summer internship or job? You will most likely need to include a cover letter when you apply, in addition to a resume and references . When you're applying for summer positions, it's important to show the hiring manager how you're qualified for the position and what you have to offer the employer.

Here's everything you need to know to prepare that piece of correspondence, from what to include to how to send it, along with an example of a summer internship cover letter that you can use for inspiration while writing your own. 

Work Experience and Skills

In your  cover letter , you should include your previous employment (internships and work) experience and two or three examples of the relevant skills you gained. I

Educational and Extracurricular Activities

If you only have limited related employment experience, you can include examples from your coursework, school projects, extracurricular activities, and volunteer work.

How You're a Fit for the Job

Your goal is to provide the hiring manager with an understanding of how your personality, background, and skills will translate into making you a strong employee or intern. So, include information that demonstrates how your abilities align with the role itself.

Your resume lists your skills, and your cover letter highlights how you have put those skills to use.

The following is a sample cover letter for a summer job or internship. Remember to omit the contact information from the header for emails. You can tailor it to fit your experiences and the position for which you are applying.

Your Contact Information (skip this section if you're sending an email) Your Name Address City, State Zip Code Phone Number Cell Phone Number Email

Employer Contact Information  (skip this section as well if you're sending an email)  Name Title Company Address City, State, Zip Code

Date (Again, no need to include this section in an email)

Dear Mr./Ms. LastName,

Please accept my enthusiastic application for the public relations internship you posted through ABC College's Career Services Office. I would love the opportunity to work as a summer assistant for your company. After reading the description of the position and the required skills, I believe I am a well-qualified candidate for the job.

You specify that you are looking for someone with strong writing skills for publishing press releases and other information material. As an English major, a writing tutor, and an editor of my school paper and multiple literary magazines, I have become a skilled writer with a variety of experience.

I also fulfill your requirement that applicants be both academically successful and resourceful. As a double major in the Honors Forum with a 3.99 GPA, I have displayed my strong work ethic and my ability to rise to intellectual challenges. I have also demonstrated my resourceful nature while working for Sarasota Reads, a program that involves discussing literature with young adults. As a group leader, I have devised numerous creative ways to engage children in the novels we read.

For example, I organized a festival for the students to provide information on the social context of one of the books. I believe my academic record and independent, resourceful nature make me extremely qualified for an internship with your company.

Working as an office assistant for the Career Services Office at ABC College, I have acquired skills that will be valuable as a PR assistant. My position has helped me gain experience in making phone calls, performing standard office duties, and executing computer efficiency. I have carried out these responsibilities with organization, speed, and accuracy for the past three years.

I am confident that my office experience, writing skills, academic record, and resourcefulness are just the qualities you are looking for at Sunrise, Inc.

I have enclosed my resume, along with a recommendation from Jim Greenspan, my supervisor at Career Services.

I would love the chance to speak further with you about my opportunities with your company.

Thank you so much for your time and consideration.

Signature (no need to include in an email)

First Name Last Name

Email Signature (skip this section in a hard copy letter) Cell: 555-555-8745 Email: yourname@abc.edu

Depending on the application process, you will either send your letter in written form or by email. 

If you are  emailing your cover letter , you will need to be clear in the subject line about the contents of the message. For example, the subject, “Sarah Campbell’s Cover Letter: Summer Journalism Internship,” is straightforward and will allow the hiring manager to file it appropriately.

For emailed cover letters, there's no need to include contact info in the heading. Instead, begin the message with the salutation. You can add your phone number and email address below your closing.

Keep browsing and looking for inspiration with these cover letter samples  for a variety of career fields and employment levels, including an internship cover letter sample, entry-level, targeted, and email cover letters.