Sample Cover Letter

Dear Intern Coordinator:

My name is Theodora Mattei and I am an incoming junior at American University majoring in International Studies with a concentration toward justice, ethics, and human rights, and foreign policy. Through this internship I hope to be a part of the premier research institute and ideas factory on which the world depends. This internship will allow me to partake in the Center’s mission of bringing scholarship to legislators who create policies that pave the way for our future. My background in research, in scholarship, and in politics offers a unique mix of experiences I hope to bring to the staff, and I aspire to gain the unparalleled wisdom and insight of members of congress and their staffs through my work.

I aim to contribute my political, writing, and research skills, and my passion for effecting change to the position. I began working in politics in 2016 as a fellow with Hillary for America. During the 2018 midterm elections I interned with the State and Local Campaigns team at EMILY’s List where I managed mailing lists, RSVPs, and the State and Local database, largely working with Microsoft Excel. I also aim to contribute my event planning experience with the Model G20 initiative where I worked over the course of one year to plan our annual Leaders’ Summit. Over the past two years I have written a variety of policy memos concerning the role of the U.S. in conflicts in the MENA region, my region of focus, particularly regarding human trafficking in Syria, U.S.-Afghan relations, and U.S involvement in the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen. Most notably I conducted a qualitative research project my second year through the Olson Scholar Program in which through archival research I developed a genealogy of a gender ideal type found throughout Italian media. I claimed that such a perception of womanhood contributes to a broader theme of violence, and argued that to combat this violence it is necessary to first map the cultural terrain that permits it.

From the internship I hope to gain experience working with Congress on seminal issues, as I aspire to work for the government myself, specifically in the Bureau of Intelligence and Research within the Department of State to continue my pursuit of generating knowledge. This internship will afford me opportunities to expand my government network and to gain unique experiences, particularly through direct meetings with Congressional Staff and briefings on Capitol Hill. I would greatly benefit from the Center’s research library which would offer me a wealth of knowledge, essential as I delve into my two-year research program, SIS Honors, in which I work toward my senior capstone. Working with the Foreign Policy Fellowship Program would offer unparalleled expertise, a unique hands-on experience to work with foreign policy fellows who would be of personal service to me in my pursuit of a career in foreign policy.

As my Olson Scholar professor once intuitively remarked, “If you’re not trying to change the world, what are you doing here?” I am here to change the world, and I hope to bring that mission to the Congressional Relations staff, to assist in the dissemination of knowledge which allows our legislators to make informed decisions to pursue as a global leader through modern challenges. I hope to set up an appointment for an interview, at the convenience of the intern coordinator. I invite the Congressional Relations staff to request any additional information. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Theodora Mattei