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9 Stages Of Writing A Cover Letter

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Allie Maniglia Student Contributor, Pennsylvania State University
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Rachael David Student Contributor, Pennsylvania State University
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at PSU chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

There’s no question that internships are extremely worthwhile this day and age. Whether you’re applying for a possible internship with your local news station or to be an intern for NBC, the application process can be daunting. As summer internships creep up on us, many of us communications students have to add just another stage to our application process: the dreaded cover letter. Cover letters are the perfect place to show off just what might set you apart from the rest, but they can be frustrating at times. Trust us, we’ve been there. Here are the stages of writing a cover letter that you should expect to be going through in the next few weeks:

 

1. You’re just filling out an internship application, and then out of nowhere the words, “SUBMIT YOUR COVER LETTER” appear

Oh, this won’t be too bad!

*Five minutes later*

 

2. You start typing and think you’re doing well but realize

“I really, really, really need you to take a chance on me because I really, really would like to have a future.”

 

3. You try to figure out how to talk yourself up like…

 

4. Do I really even want this internship?

Who am I kidding? Of course I do…

 

5. “What skills do you have that other applicants don’t?”

I can make a grilled cheese with tater tots in it. Did your last intern ever offer to bring those in for lunch? Didn’t think so.

 

6. Finishing the application like…

 

7. Submitting the application like…

 

8. But realizing you still have to fill out what feels like another hundred something applications in hopes of actually getting an internship…

 

9. When you realize that it’s worth it in the end.

 

So keep at it, collegiettes. While filling out tons of applications and writing these cover letters can feel like a bit much, it will be worth it to get the life changing experience of having an internship! You’ve got this!

 

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Allie Maniglia served as the Campus Correspondent for Her Campus at Penn State from 2017-2018. She majored in public relations with minors in international studies and communication arts and sciences. If she's not busy writing away, you can find her planning her next adventure (probably back to the U.K.), feeding an unhealthy addiction to HGTV or watching dog videos on YouTube.
Rachael David is currently a senior at Penn State University and serves as the Campus Correspondent for Her Campus Penn State. She is majoring in public relations and minoring in psychology. Her love of creative writing and all things Penn State is what inspired her to become a member of the HC team in the fall of 2013. Her background experience includes working for the Undergraduate Admissions Office at Penn State as a social media intern in the spring of 2014 and is currently working as a social media intern for an internet marketing company in Harrisburg called WebpageFX. This past summer she also served as a PR intern for Tierney Communications. Rachael enjoys anything media related especially catching up on her favorite shows, including Saturday Night Live and any show on Food Network. She has a passion for food but also loves being active and spending her free time running or hiking. She hopes to gain more experience in all aspects of the media industry during college and plans on pursuing a career writing for a life & style publication in the future.