How to Make a Cover Letter for an Internship
TL;DR - Quick Answer
To make a cover letter for an internship, focus on four key elements: highlight relevant coursework and academic projects, showcase transferable skills from extracurriculars and part-time work, demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for the company and industry, and connect your career goals to what you'll learn in the role. Unlike experienced professionals, interns sell potential and eagerness to learn—not years of experience.
Internship cover letters are unique because employers expect you to have limited professional experience. A NACE survey found that 91% of employers prefer candidates with internship experience, making landing that first internship crucial. The good news? Hiring managers are looking for potential, enthusiasm, and cultural fit—qualities you can absolutely demonstrate without a lengthy work history.
This guide walks you through creating an internship cover letter that stands out, with specific examples, templates, and strategies tailored for students and recent graduates. For general cover letter fundamentals, see our guide on how to create a cover letter.
Key Takeaways
Lead with relevant academics: Your coursework, GPA (if strong), and academic projects are your professional experience—feature them prominently.
Highlight transferable skills: Leadership in clubs, part-time jobs, and volunteer work demonstrate real-world capabilities.
Show genuine company interest: Research the company thoroughly and explain specifically why you want THIS internship.
Connect to career goals: Explain how the internship fits your professional development path.
Keep it concise: 250-350 words is ideal—busy recruiters appreciate brevity.
Why Internship Cover Letters Are Different
Internship cover letters require a fundamentally different approach than those for full-time positions. Employers hiring interns understand you're at the beginning of your career—they're not expecting five years of experience. Instead, they're evaluating:
Learning potential: Can you quickly absorb new information and skills?
Enthusiasm: Are you genuinely excited about this field and company?
Cultural fit: Will you contribute positively to the team dynamic?
Foundational skills: Do you have the basics needed to succeed?
Long-term potential: Could this internship lead to a full-time hire?
"When reviewing intern applications, I'm not looking for polished professionals," says Maria Chen, Campus Recruiter at a Fortune 500 tech company. "I want to see curiosity, self-awareness about what they want to learn, and evidence they'll be proactive team members. The best intern cover letters show personality and genuine interest."
Essential Elements of an Internship Cover Letter
1. Contact Information Header
Start with a professional header including your name, email, phone, and LinkedIn. Use your university email if it looks more professional than a personal one.
Example: Emily Johnson emily.johnson@university.edu | (555) 123-4567 | linkedin.com/in/emilyjohnson
2. Company and Recipient Details
Include the date, hiring manager's name (if known), their title, and company information. Finding the actual recipient's name shows initiative—check LinkedIn or call the company.
3. Strong Opening Paragraph
Your opening should immediately establish why you're applying and what makes you a compelling candidate. For internships, lead with your academic background and specific interest in the company.
Strong internship opening: "As a junior at State University majoring in Marketing with a 3.7 GPA, I was thrilled to discover TechCorp's Summer Marketing Internship. Your recent product launch campaign caught my attention in my Digital Marketing class, and I'm eager to contribute to a team that approaches marketing with such creativity and data-driven precision."
4. Body Paragraphs Showcasing Relevant Experience
Even without professional experience, you have valuable achievements to highlight:
Academic projects: Class projects that demonstrate relevant skills
Campus leadership: Clubs, organizations, student government roles
Part-time work: Customer service, retail, or campus jobs with transferable skills
Volunteer experience: Community involvement showing initiative
Personal projects: Blogs, apps, portfolios, or creative work
5. Confident Closing
End with enthusiasm for the opportunity and a clear call to action. Express what you hope to learn while also noting what you'll contribute.
For detailed closing strategies, see our guide on how to conclude a cover letter.
What to Include When You Have No Experience
The most common internship applicant concern is 'I don't have any experience.' Here's how to reframe what you do have:
Academic Achievements
Relevant coursework: 'Completed advanced courses in Financial Accounting and Corporate Finance'
Strong GPA: Include if 3.0+ overall or higher in major
Academic honors: Dean's List, scholarships, academic awards
Research experience: Any work with professors or research labs
Capstone/thesis projects: Major projects demonstrating deep knowledge
Extracurricular Leadership
Club officer positions: 'As Treasurer of the Marketing Club, managed $5,000 budget'
Event planning: 'Organized career fair with 50+ company representatives'
Team projects: 'Led team of 5 in developing business plan competition entry'
Sports team captain: Leadership, teamwork, time management
Greek life leadership: Philanthropy, event coordination, member management
Part-Time and Campus Jobs
Customer service: Communication, problem-solving, professionalism
Campus employment: Library, recreation center, administrative assistant
Tutoring: Teaching, patience, subject matter expertise
Retail/food service: Teamwork, time management, customer interaction
Freelance work: Self-motivation, client management, deliverables
Internship Cover Letter Examples
Marketing Internship Example
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Sarah Chen sarah.chen@university.edu | (555) 234-5678 | linkedin.com/in/sarahchen
November 28, 2025
Dear Ms. Williams,
As a junior at State University majoring in Marketing with a minor in Data Analytics, I was excited to discover BrandCo's Summer Marketing Internship. Your recent 'Sustainability Matters' campaign resonated with my interest in purpose-driven marketing, and I'm eager to learn from a team that combines creativity with measurable impact.
Through my academic and extracurricular experiences, I've developed skills directly applicable to this role. As Social Media Director for our 500-member Business Club, I grew our Instagram following by 200% and increased event attendance by 45% through targeted content strategies. In my Marketing Research course, I led a team project analyzing consumer behavior trends, presenting our findings to local business leaders. These experiences taught me to think strategically while executing tactically.
I'm particularly drawn to BrandCo's data-driven approach to creative campaigns—an intersection I've explored through my Analytics minor. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my blend of creative marketing skills and analytical training could contribute to your team this summer. Thank you for considering my application.
Best regards, Sarah Chen
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Engineering Internship Example
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James Park james.park@techuniv.edu | (555) 345-6789 | github.com/jamespark
November 28, 2025
Dear Engineering Recruiting Team,
As a sophomore Computer Science student at Tech University with a focus on machine learning, I'm excited to apply for InnovateTech's Software Engineering Internship. Your recent open-source contributions to TensorFlow caught my attention, and I'm eager to learn from engineers solving real-world ML challenges.
My coursework and personal projects have prepared me to contribute immediately. I've completed Data Structures, Algorithms, and Introduction to Machine Learning with a 3.8 GPA. Outside class, I built a sentiment analysis tool using Python and NLTK that analyzes Twitter data—a project that taught me about API integration, data cleaning, and model deployment. I also contribute to open-source projects, giving me experience with collaborative development workflows and code reviews.
I'm particularly interested in InnovateTech's work on natural language processing. The opportunity to work alongside experienced engineers while contributing to meaningful projects would be invaluable as I develop my skills. I'd love to discuss how my technical foundation and enthusiasm for ML could add value to your team.
Sincerely, James Park
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Common Internship Cover Letter Mistakes
Avoid these errors that can undermine your internship application:
Being too generic: 'I'm applying because I need an internship' shows no genuine interest
Apologizing for lack of experience: Don't say 'Although I don't have experience...'—focus on what you DO have
Copying your resume: Add context and personality, don't just repeat bullet points
Ignoring the company: Generic letters that could apply anywhere get ignored
Being too casual: Maintain professionalism even if the company seems informal
Excessive length: Keep it to one page, ideally 250-350 words
Typos and errors: Proofread multiple times—errors signal carelessness
Tailoring Your Letter to Different Industries
Business and Finance Internships
Emphasize: Analytical skills, attention to detail, relevant coursework (accounting, finance, economics), Excel proficiency, any trading simulations or investment club experience.
Tech and Engineering Internships
Emphasize: Programming languages, personal projects, GitHub portfolio, hackathon participation, coursework in relevant areas, problem-solving examples.
Marketing and Communications Internships
Emphasize: Writing samples, social media experience, creative projects, campaign ideas, analytics knowledge, understanding of target audiences.
Nonprofit and Government Internships
Emphasize: Volunteer experience, passion for the mission, understanding of public policy, community involvement, relevant coursework.
Using AI to Create Your Internship Cover Letter
AI tools can help you create a polished first draft quickly, which you then personalize with your specific experiences and voice.
Our AI cover letter generator is particularly helpful for internship applicants who are unsure how to present limited experience professionally. It creates structured, professional content you can customize with your unique stories and achievements.
For more AI-assisted writing strategies, see our guide on how to use ChatGPT to write a cover letter.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should an internship cover letter be?
Keep your internship cover letter to 250-350 words, fitting comfortably on one page. Recruiters reviewing hundreds of applications appreciate concise, focused letters. Quality matters more than length—every sentence should add value.
Should I include my GPA?
Include your GPA if it's 3.0 or higher overall, or if your major GPA is strong even when overall isn't. You can specify 'Major GPA: 3.5' if that's stronger. If your GPA isn't a selling point, focus on other achievements instead.
What if I have no relevant experience at all?
Focus on transferable skills from any context—part-time jobs, volunteer work, class projects, or personal initiatives. The ability to learn quickly, work in teams, manage time, and communicate effectively are valuable regardless of where you developed them.
How do I address a cover letter if I don't know who's hiring?
First, try to find the name via LinkedIn or by calling the company. If you can't, use 'Dear [Company Name] Recruiting Team' or 'Dear Internship Hiring Committee.' Avoid 'To Whom It May Concern.' See our guide on how to address a cover letter.
Should I mention I need the internship for course credit?
Only mention academic credit requirements if it's relevant (e.g., duration or timing requirements). Don't make it sound like you only want the internship for credit—focus on genuine learning interest.
How early should I apply for internships?
Many companies recruit 6-9 months before summer internships start. Finance and consulting firms often recruit in fall for summer positions. Tech companies may recruit on a rolling basis. Research your target companies' specific timelines.
Can I apply to multiple positions at the same company?
Generally, apply to 1-2 positions that genuinely match your interests and qualifications. Applying to many positions can signal desperation. If you're torn between roles, mention your flexibility in one targeted application.
Should I follow up after applying?
A brief follow-up email 1-2 weeks after applying is appropriate. Keep it short, reiterate your interest, and add value if possible (e.g., mention relevant news about the company). Don't follow up more than once unless invited to.
Conclusion: Your Internship Cover Letter Checklist
Before submitting your internship cover letter, verify:
Professional header with contact information
Personalized greeting (hiring manager's name if possible)
Opening that states your academic background and specific interest
Body showcasing relevant projects, leadership, and skills
Evidence of company research and genuine enthusiasm
Connection between your goals and what you'll learn
Confident closing with call to action
Proofread for errors multiple times
Remember: employers hiring interns are investing in potential. Your cover letter should convince them that you have the foundation, enthusiasm, and work ethic to make the most of the opportunity—and potentially become a future full-time hire.
Ready to create a standout internship cover letter? Our AI cover letter generator helps you present your academic achievements and potential professionally. Generate your first draft in under 60 seconds, then customize with your unique experiences.
For more cover letter guidance, explore our cover letter examples or learn how to make your cover letter stand out.
