Internship Cover Letter (No Experience) Examples & Writing Guide

Dear Google Recruiting Team, I am writing to apply for the Software Engineering Internship at Google. As a second-year Computer Science student at Stanford University with a passion for building technology that helps people, I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to Google's mission of organizing the world's information. While I haven't held a formal internship position, I have been actively developing my technical skills through academic projects and personal initiatives. In my Data Structures course, I led a team of four students in building a search algorithm that achieved 40% faster query times than the baseline implementation. This project taught me not only about efficient algorithms but also about collaborative coding practices and code review. Outside the classroom, I am a regular contributor to open-source projects on GitHub, where I have submitted pull requests to three different repositories, including bug fixes and documentation improvements. This self-directed work has given me practical experience with version control, collaborative development workflows, and reading and understanding existing codebases. I am particularly drawn to Google because of your commitment to tackling complex technical challenges at scale. The opportunity to work on products used by billions of people—while learning from some of the best engineers in the industry—is incredibly motivating. I am especially interested in your work on machine learning applications and would love to contribute to projects in this space. My technical skills include proficiency in Python, Java, and C++, along with experience using Git, Linux, and SQL. I am a fast learner, eager to take on challenges, and committed to writing clean, well-documented code. Thank you for considering my application. I would be thrilled to bring my enthusiasm and growing technical abilities to Google as an intern. Best regards, Alex Chen

Dear Goldman Sachs Recruiting Team, I am applying for the Investment Banking Summer Analyst position at Goldman Sachs. As a junior at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School studying Finance with a concentration in Strategic Management, I am eager to apply my analytical abilities and work ethic to Goldman Sachs' industry-leading M&A practice. Although I have not yet held a position in investment banking, I have developed relevant skills through academic and extracurricular experiences. As an analyst for the Wharton Investment and Trading Group, I conduct weekly research on public companies, building financial models and presenting investment recommendations to a committee of 30 members. My pitch on a mid-cap healthcare company was selected for the fund's watch list. In my Corporate Valuation course, I completed a comprehensive DCF analysis of a Fortune 500 company, projecting five-year cash flows and calculating terminal value using multiple methodologies. My professor noted the rigor of my sensitivity analysis and attention to detail. I have also developed leadership skills as Treasurer of our university's Finance Club, where I manage a $15,000 budget, coordinate speaker events, and organize networking treks to New York. These responsibilities have strengthened my organizational abilities and professional communication skills. Goldman Sachs' collaborative culture and emphasis on developing young talent make it my top choice for beginning my career in investment banking. I am prepared for the demanding hours and am excited about the opportunity to learn from Goldman's exceptional professionals. I am proficient in Excel, including advanced modeling functions, and have experience with Bloomberg Terminal and Capital IQ. My strong quantitative background (3.85 GPA, Dean's List) and genuine passion for finance make me a strong candidate for this role. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Jennifer Park

Dear Deloitte Campus Recruiting Team, I am excited to apply for the Audit & Assurance Internship at Deloitte. As an Accounting major at the University of Texas at Austin with a 3.7 GPA, I am drawn to Deloitte's reputation for excellence, professional development, and commitment to shaping future leaders in the profession. While I am seeking my first professional experience, I have developed a strong foundation in accounting principles and practical skills through my coursework and campus involvement. In my Intermediate Accounting courses, I have consistently earned top grades while developing proficiency in analyzing financial statements, understanding GAAP standards, and identifying accounting issues. As Treasurer of our Accounting Society, I manage the organization's finances, prepare monthly reports, and present budget updates to our executive board. This hands-on experience has given me practical exposure to financial record-keeping, reconciliations, and presenting financial information to stakeholders—skills directly applicable to audit work. I was also selected to participate in our university's VITA program, where I assist community members with tax preparation. This volunteer experience has taught me to communicate complex information clearly, pay meticulous attention to detail, and work within strict deadlines—all essential skills for an auditor. Deloitte's emphasis on continuous learning and your innovative audit technologies particularly excite me. The opportunity to work with Fortune 500 clients while being supported by comprehensive training programs makes this the ideal place to begin my career. I am on track to complete 150 credit hours before graduation and am committed to pursuing CPA licensure. My strong academic record, leadership experience, and genuine enthusiasm for the profession make me a strong candidate for this program. Thank you for considering my application. Best regards, Michael Thompson

Dear Johnson & Johnson Recruitment Team, I am writing to express my enthusiastic interest in the Marketing Internship at Johnson & Johnson. As a Marketing major at Northwestern University's Medill School with a passion for purpose-driven brands, I am inspired by J&J's commitment to putting patients and consumers first. Though I haven't held a formal marketing internship, I have developed relevant skills through hands-on academic projects and campus leadership. In my Consumer Behavior course, my team conducted primary research with 200+ respondents to develop a repositioning strategy for a struggling CPG brand. Our professor selected our recommendation for publication in the undergraduate research journal. I serve as Social Media Director for Northwestern's Dance Marathon, one of the largest student-run philanthropies in the country. In this role, I developed and executed a content strategy across Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter that increased our follower engagement by 60% compared to the previous year. Creating content that resonates with audiences while advancing our mission has taught me the power of authentic brand storytelling. My interest in healthcare marketing specifically stems from watching my grandmother navigate her health journey. I saw firsthand how trusted brands like Johnson & Johnson provided not just products but confidence and peace of mind. I want to contribute to marketing that genuinely helps people make better decisions about their health. I am proficient in Canva, Adobe Creative Suite basics, and social media analytics tools. My writing skills have been honed through coursework and my role writing copy for campus publications. Johnson & Johnson's Our Credo resonates with my values, and I would be honored to contribute to a company with such meaningful impact. Thank you for considering my application. Warm regards, Sarah Martinez

Dear Amazon Recruiting Team, I am applying for the Operations Management Internship at Amazon. As a junior studying Industrial Engineering at Georgia Tech with a fascination for supply chain optimization, I am excited about the opportunity to experience Amazon's world-class operations firsthand. Although I am new to professional operations experience, my academic projects have prepared me for this challenge. In my Facilities Planning course, I designed an optimized warehouse layout that reduced simulated travel time by 25%. The project required analyzing flow patterns, applying lean principles, and justifying decisions with data—skills directly relevant to Amazon's operations. I gained practical experience through my university's Solar Racing Team, where I serve as Operations Lead for competitions. I coordinate logistics for transporting a solar vehicle and 30 team members across the country, managing timelines, vendor relationships, and troubleshooting inevitable problems. Last year, my contingency planning proved essential when our transportation truck broke down, and I had to quickly arrange alternatives that kept us on schedule. What excites me about Amazon is your willingness to think big while sweating the small stuff. The idea that improving a picking process by seconds can save millions of hours at scale is the kind of problem I want to solve. I've read about Amazon's use of data in operations decisions, and I'm eager to learn how you balance efficiency with employee experience. I am proficient in Excel, including solver optimization, and have experience with simulation software and SQL. My IE coursework has given me a strong foundation in statistics, process improvement, and systems thinking. Thank you for considering my application. I am ready to dive in, learn fast, and contribute from day one. Best regards, David Lee

Dear NPR Internship Coordinator, I am writing to apply for the Journalism Internship at NPR. As a Journalism major at the University of Missouri with a concentration in Audio Storytelling, I have dreamed of contributing to NPR's exceptional public service journalism since discovering your podcasts in high school. While I am applying for my first professional journalism experience, I have been actively developing my skills through campus media. As a reporter and producer at KBIA, our NPR member station on campus, I have produced 15+ radio stories ranging from city council coverage to feature pieces on local musicians. My feature on a refugee-owned restaurant in Columbia was selected for the Missouri Broadcasters Association student competition. I've also built skills through original podcast work. With two classmates, I created and produce a podcast exploring untold stories from Mizzou's history. We handle every aspect—research, interviews, scripting, recording, editing, and promotion—releasing new episodes monthly. This experience taught me that great audio storytelling requires both creativity and discipline. NPR's commitment to thoughtful, nuanced journalism inspires me. In an era of hot takes and soundbites, you demonstrate that audiences still hunger for stories that take time to unfold. I want to be part of telling those stories. I am proficient in Adobe Audition and Pro Tools, experienced with field recording equipment, and comfortable with both the creative and technical sides of audio production. My writing samples and audio portfolio are available at my website, showcasing my range and growth as a journalist. Thank you for considering my application. The opportunity to learn from NPR's journalists while contributing to your mission would be the highlight of my academic career. Sincerely, Emma Washington

Dear Tesla Recruiting Team, I am applying for the Engineering Internship at Tesla with genuine excitement for your mission to accelerate the world's transition to sustainable energy. As a Mechanical Engineering student at MIT with a focus on energy systems, I am eager to contribute my skills to Tesla's revolutionary work. While I am seeking my first industry experience, I have developed relevant engineering skills through hands-on projects. As a member of MIT's Electric Vehicle Team, I help design and fabricate components for our competition vehicle. My specific contribution was redesigning the battery cooling system, which improved thermal performance by 15% in testing. Working on a real EV has given me appreciation for the complex engineering challenges Tesla solves daily. In my Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer courses, I've developed strong fundamentals in the physics underlying battery and motor performance. My senior thesis explores optimization methods for thermal management in high-power-density electric drivetrains—research directly relevant to Tesla's technology. Beyond technical skills, I've developed the work ethic Tesla is known for expecting. I regularly work 60+ hour weeks between coursework, research, and the EV team—not because I have to, but because I genuinely love what I'm working on. Tesla's intense culture appeals to me because I want to be surrounded by people equally passionate about their work. I am proficient in SolidWorks, MATLAB, and Python, and I have hands-on experience with fabrication techniques including CNC machining and 3D printing. I thrive in environments that move fast and expect excellence. Thank you for considering my application. Contributing to Tesla's mission would combine my passion for sustainability with my engineering abilities in the best possible way. Best regards, Jason Kim

Dear Teach For America Recruitment Team, I am applying for the Summer Associate Internship with deep commitment to educational equity. As a Sociology major at Howard University with a minor in Education, I am drawn to TFA's approach of developing leaders who will fight for the futures of all children. My passion for this work is personal. I grew up in a community where educational opportunity was limited, and I know firsthand how zip code can determine destiny. A dedicated teacher changed my trajectory, and that experience drives my belief that every child deserves access to excellent educators. On campus, I volunteer weekly with DC Reads, tutoring third-grade students from underserved schools. Over the semester, one student I worked with improved from reading below grade level to meeting grade-level benchmarks. This experience taught me both the power of high expectations and the patience required for meaningful progress. I've also engaged with education policy through my coursework and independent research. My junior thesis examined the relationship between teacher diversity and student outcomes, and I've presented findings at two undergraduate research conferences. This academic background would allow me to contribute meaningfully to TFA's research and advocacy work. While I am new to professional experience, I bring the hunger, humility, and resilience that challenging work requires. I am comfortable with ambiguity, receptive to feedback, and relentless in pursuit of goals that matter. TFA's leadership development model is particularly appealing. I see this internship not as an endpoint but as the beginning of a lifetime committed to expanding opportunity for underserved students. Thank you for considering my application. With gratitude, Marcus Johnson