Write an Application Letter that Lands an Internship

1. Write an Application Letter that Lands an Internship Tracy Volz, Ph.D. tmvolz@rice.edu Cain Project Rice University

2. Successful Internship Applicants • Manage the application process • Analyze situation and audience • Organize knowledge and experience • Write effective application letters http://careerone.com.au/webdav/site/jobs/shared/interpersonal_large.jpg

3. Managing the Process • Research companies and academic research programs • Review application procedures • Update resumé • Request letters of reference (if necessary) • START NOW!!!

4. Analyze Situation and Audience

5. Research Potential Employer • Mission • Divisions/depts, clients, faculty • Products and services • Research and development program • Organizational structure and culture • History • Financial/management structure • Facilities

6. Sources of Information • Web sites • Advisors, peers, employees • Career services • Professional organizations • Promotional materials • Annual report • Journals

7. Academic preparation Understanding of profession Communication skills Work ethic Motivation for career Maturity Characteristics Employers Seek in Interns What can you contribute to the organization?

8. Organize Knowledge and Experience

9. Get to Know Yourself! • Rank personal values • List adjectives to describe yourself • Draft mission statement of life & career goals • Create table of key job satisfaction factors • Stay aware of current events

10. Reflect on Work Experience • Analyze past work experiences • Note specific responsibilities • Recall accomplishments/failures • Assess strengths and weaknesses • Review notes on potential employer • Match your qualifications to employer’s needs http://www.units.muohio.edu/cryolab/about/images/Elnitsky_coldbath_web.jpg

11. Time to Write: Letters of Application

12. What has motivated you to seek a career in bioengineering? What people, experiences, or events have contributed to your decision? What do you expect to learn from the internship? What are your professional goals? How have you prepared to fulfill your goals? Research Laboratory skills Clinical work Other work experience Discuss Motivation and Qualifications http://www.dnr.state.md.us/bay/cbnerr/jenn2%20intern.jpg

13. Academic performance Rigor of undergraduate curriculum Past or current employment Extracurricular activities Personal attributes Leadership Intellectual curiosity Initiative Maturity Skills Computer Communication Problem solving Teamwork Select Relevant Material

14. Get Organized! • Opening • Express interest in position and how you learned about it • Body • Refer to experience in resumé that fits employer’s needs • Provide concrete examples • Closing • Summarize qualifications • Reinforce interest in position • Request interview • Provide contact information

15. Application Letter Format Your name Street address City, State Zip code Email All margins: 1” Double space Date Double space Employer’s name, Title Corporation or Research Institution Street address City, State Zip code Double space Dear XXXX: Double space Body Double space Sincerely, Space for your signature 4 spaces Your name (Typed) Double space Enclosure:

16. Review and Revise • Craft transitions • Energize writing with active verbs • Edit for brevity • Use business letter format • Proofread carefully

17. Don’t . . . • Create endless lists • Fall into abstract generalizations • Insert a phrase where a word will work • Use clichés and empty qualifiers • Exaggerate qualifications • Begin every sentence with “I” • Recycle the same letter for different jobs!

18. Don’t Create Lists I have been lucky to channel my talent, energy and enthusiasm further through high school varsity athletics, college club teams, band, and academic competitions. All of these have offered me opportunities to develop my leadership abilities, interests and skills as a team player.

19. Don’t Use Abstract Generalizations • Empty Generalization • My background allowed me to further investigate my passion in medical instrumentation. • Revision • I took a neurology course at Baylor College of Medicine that required independent design projects in medical instrumentation. For my project, I designed and tested a novel gamma-ray camera for a cardiac PET scanner. After weeks of delicate soldering and programming, I improved the resolution of a standard PET scan by an order of magnitude. Add concrete details

20. Don’t Use a Phrase if a Word Works • Draft • I attempted to elucidate the effects of protein factors on tumor cells. • Revision • I studied the effects of protein factors on tumor cells.

21. Don’t Use Empty Qualifers and Start Every Sentence with “I” Iaspire to become a bioengineer who is knowledgeable and capable of advancing the unlimited frontiers of engineering. I am a young man who possesses great creative energies and unquenchable curiosity. I am a good and humble human being who enjoys providing others with happiness and comfort. I want nothing more than to deeply engage myself in the wellbeing of others. Bioengineering allows me to affect others positively and will give me purpose and happiness in my life.

22. Keys to Success • Highlight qualifications and motivation • Show interest in position and knowledge of company/research program • Write a letter that is accurate, memorable, sincere, convincing, and error-free