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10.17.2022
The time when you have to get an internship for the first time is both exciting and stressful. After all, a successful internship will bring you one step closer to fulfilling your career goals. But first, you should be selected as an intern. To make your candidacy stand out, you need to write a brilliant application essay, also known as a cover letter for an internship.
In this guide, we will demonstrate to you a sample of a typical internship essay. Then, we will show you how to upgrade it and what to avoid to create an outstanding personal statement that will land you your dream internship.
Standard Internship Cover Letter Sample
Here is an example of a personal statement written for an internship application. Read through it carefully:
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing you in order to apply for the summer internship at Nano IT. My name is Tom Jameson, and I study at the Software Development program of Brooklyn College in New York. I have been actively searching for an internship opportunity, and when I saw your posting, I knew it was perfect for me.
I believe that I am a great fit for the web developer intern position at your company, as I am extremely interested in IT. I am among the top students in the class, and I do a lot of self-study. I would also love to use the experience received throughout this internship as a case study in my upcoming thesis work.
I have heard a lot about Nano IT, and I admire its history and mission. I believe that I could contribute to this company as I fully share its values. I would be extremely grateful for an opportunity to receive practical experience from true professionals.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
Tom Jameson
What you have just read is an example of a typical internship essay an HR professional receives on a regular basis. It is not bad, yet it is lacking that so-called X factor, something that will set the applicant apart from the hundreds of other college students applying for the same position. Read on for examples and practical tips on how to bring this essay to a whole new level.
Tips for Improving the Internship Essay
Here you will find an explanation of what can be done to improve your internship application, as well as things to avoid using Tom’s essay as a sample. For your convenience, they are divided according to the application essay’s structure.
Introduction
The main issue with Tom’s essay that is visible throughout his whole internship application is the fact that it doesn’t really show the reader what kind of person he is. An internship application is not some regular coursework, so make your personal statement strong. Here is how a more memorable introduction would look like:
Dear Sir or Madam,
My name is Tom Jameson; I am a senior year student of the Software Development program at Brooklyn College, neighboring Nano IT’s headquarters in New York. Ever since I discovered my passion for IT, I knew the study place that was right for me. It is hard to explain how pleased I was to find out that the place that is the definition of my career goals is right beside it! So, please, let me elaborate, without further ado, why I am your perfect software development intern candidate.
Notice how this introductory paragraph:
- makes the essay stand out from the very first sentence
- shows Tom as a college student who is passionate, inspired, and has a good sense of humor
- gives the HR staff the association with the college located next to the company’s office
It is a great example of an introduction that will make the reader interested in the applicant. We have gathered some more examples of how to write a good self-introduction to make a good impression.
Here, on the other hand, is an example of the kind of writing you want to avoid:
Dear Sir or Madam,
My name is Tom Jameson. I live in New York and study at the Software Development Program at Brooklyn College, NY. I am 24 years old, and I have loved IT since I was a kid. In high school, I was the best student in the IT class, having won several tech competitions. I believe I will carry my passion for this subject to graduate school and beyond. Nowadays, I am getting ready for the real world of work, and that is why I am applying for the position of a part-time intern at Nano IT.
Look into the nuances that could improve this introductory paragraph significantly:
- Leave all the details for the main body of the essay. Your goal in the introduction is to hook the readers and make them want to know more about you.
- “Since I was a kid” is a cliche. Read on for tips on how to personalize it!
- Sound more confident by including strong motivation and powerful word structures.
- Be concise. Every sentence of your essay should bring you closer to convincing the reader that you’re a worthy candidate.
When your powerful introduction is ready, it is time to move on to the essay’s main body.
Main Body
The main body of Tom’s essay is not so good. It needs an upgrade to become noticeable for the company’s HR representatives. It is strongly advisable to structure the essay as follows:
- write about your relevant learning experience, what makes you love the specialization
- talk about your career goals and elaborate on how the internship program will help with it
As you can see, Tom’s initial application essay doesn’t include these critical points, which makes it look dull and uninformative in comparison with other students’ cover letters. What we do approve is that he mentioned the thesis as a specific future plan related to the internship opportunity. Smart move, Tom!
Here is our suggested version of Tom’s internship essay’s main body:
I discovered my passion for all things tech when I was rather young. My father taught me how to code a rock paper scissors game when I was nine. Fast forward to my teenage years, when I created my Raspberry Pi project, a time-lapse camera. I have also participated in hackathons annually since the age of 16, which has become a hobby of mine. At college, I won the Tech Project Contest in 2019 and 2020. Besides, I already have some first-hand work experience acquired during a summer job at Guugle I did during my freshman year.
I strongly believe that software development is essential for the well-being of society, as tech is an integral part of real-life nowadays. That is why I never want to stop developing as a professional, and I am ready to put all the hard work needed into acquiring new skills in the IT-sphere. In the future, I would love to work for a tech company strongly connected with sustainable development, such as Nano IT. Me interning at Nano IT would be a perfect match for my career endeavor as I would have the opportunity to learn from niche specialists.
This text tells Tom’s story in relation to the internship’s specialization. It is a great approach to essay writing, as it allows you to connect with the reader. However, make sure you keep the balance of personal and professional throughout the essay and don’t lose the thread of thought.
When you have described your background and stated your future plans, it is time to move on to the final part of your internship application essay.
Conclusion
In the conclusion, describe the important skills you possess and state why you are the best candidate for the position. The final paragraph of Tom’s essay is acceptable. He mentioned the company’s values and mission, which is a wise thing to do. However, he failed to show that he really knows what he is talking about. Here is how an improved version of the conclusion would look:
I can assure you that I have what it takes to fulfill the requirements for this internship opportunity. I will be a strong addition to the team due to my strong interpersonal skills, eagerness to learn, and willingness to help. I always think out of the box, which helps me come up with creative ideas. Having a chance to contribute to Nano IT’s growth is priceless to me, as I share the company’s core values, such as constant improvement and bringing value with care for the future.
Thank you for your time and kind consideration.
Tom Jameson
As you can see, in this version of the essay, the reader can be sure that Tom knows the company’s values. Besides, he lists his strong sides without obvious exaggeration. The conclusion is consistent with the rest of the essay, demonstrating that Tom has specific goals and expectations set.
Your Dream Internship Experience Is Closer Than Ever!
Now that you have clear samples of what to do and what to avoid when writing an internship application, you can start chasing your dreams! However, it is a responsible task, so if you are not completely sure about your writing skills, you can leave this job to professionals. Our experts at Studybay will help you with your application essay, internship report, and any other written task you require. We wish you the best of luck with your career endeavor!
