How to Write a Cover Letter for an Internship

Most students panic when they see the words “attach a cover letter.” It sounds formal. It feels unnecessary. And for internships, it often gets treated as an afterthought.

But here’s the truth: a good cover letter can stand you out. Especially when everyone else is sending the same resume template stuffed with the same buzzwords. A cover letter is your chance to sound human, show intent, and connect the dots between you and the role.

So how do you write one that doesn’t sound robotic or generic?

Let’s break it down.

First, What is the Point of a Cover Letter?

Think of a cover letter as your short elevator pitch. You’re answering three questions:

1. Why are you interested in this company or role?

2. Why should they care about you?

3. What makes you a good fit, beyond what's already on your resume?

If your resume says what you’ve done, your cover letter says why it matters.

For internships, especially when you don’t have much experience, that "why" becomes your biggest strength.

Step 1: Start with a Simple Hook

You don’t need to sound like a corporate zombie. Be clear. Be human. Just be normal. Here's how you can start:

“As a third-year computer science student who’s been building side projects since high school, I’ve always admired how Figma brings design and code closer together. I’d love to join your engineering team this summer as an intern and learn how real products get built at scale.”

This is miles better than:

“I am writing to express my interest in the internship role at your esteemed organization...”

Remember, recruiters read hundreds of these. The goal is to sound like a person, not a template.

Step 2: Show You’ve Done Your Homework

Now that you’ve hooked them, show that you understand what the company does. This shows intent.

“I recently saw how your team shipped a new plugin system for community developers. I loved how open and thoughtful the rollout was. That mindset aligns with how I build: quick to test, but careful with details.”

You don’t need to write an essay. One or two specific observations can make a big difference.

Step 3: Talk About Yourself Without Repeating the Resume

This part is tricky. Don’t just rehash what’s already on your student resume. Use this space to tell a short story or highlight one or two things that are relevant.

“Last semester, I worked with a team of four to build a course planning tool used by 300+ students. I handled backend integrations and realized how messy real-world APIs can be. That experience made me more patient and more obsessed with writing clean, readable code.”

Show, don’t just tell. Stories beat lists.

Step 4: Close With Confidence (Not Desperation)

Too many cover letters end like this:

“I hope to hear from you soon and would be grateful for any opportunity.”

Instead, try something like:

“I’d be excited to learn from the team and contribute however I can. Let me know if there’s anything else I can share to help with your decision.”

You’re not begging. You’re bringing energy. You’re open and collaborative. That’s what companies want in interns.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Don’t send the same letter to every company. It’s obvious when you do. Personalization wins. And it's so off-putting.

• Don’t overuse jargon. You’re not impressing anyone by saying you have “synergistic collaboration capabilities.”

• Don’t lie or exaggerate. You’ll get caught in interviews. Recruiters and hiring managers are trained to catch lies. They deal with hundreds of people daily!

• Don’t attach it as a Word doc. Always send it as a PDF unless told otherwise.

Do You Even Need a Cover Letter?

Some companies don’t read them. But many do. Especially smaller startups or internships where writing and communication matter. And even if no one reads it? Writing a cover letter still helps you clarify why you want the role. That clarity often shows up in your interview.

So yes, it’s worth it.

You can also reuse parts of your cover letter when asking for a referral. A short, thoughtful message that explains who you are, why you're interested in the company, and what you’ve worked on can make it easier for someone to vouch for you. If you’re not sure how to do that, here’s a guide on how to ask for a referral as a student that shows exactly what to say.

A Simple Cover Letter Template You Can Use

Just to get started, here’s a lightweight structure:

Hi [Hiring Manager’s Name],

Quick intro about who you are and why this specific internship excites you.

Show that you’ve looked into the company or product. Mention something you admire or align with.

Talk about your past work, projects, or classes that connect to the role. Focus on one or two highlights.

Wrap up by showing enthusiasm and openness to share more.

Thanks,
[Your Name]

Avoid using generic words like “hardworking” or “fast learner.” Show it instead.

Here are some cover letter templates for engineering, design, and marketing internships. Each follows the format from above but uses language, tone, and examples relevant to the role.

💻 Engineering Internship Cover Letter Template

Hi [Hiring Manager’s Name],

I’m a [year] computer science student at [University], and I’ve been building side projects since high school. What drew me to [Company Name] is how you balance fast shipping with engineering depth. I’d love to join your team this summer as a software engineering intern.

Last semester, I worked on a team project that helped 300+ students plan their semester schedules. I handled backend APIs, and it taught me a lot about debugging under pressure and writing tests that actually prevent future headaches. I’m currently building [Your Side Project] to deepen my skills with [Tech Stack or Tool].

I also noticed how your team recently launched [specific product feature]. The way it was documented and rolled out showed real care for both users and devs. That’s the kind of environment I want to learn in.

Happy to share anything else you need. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Thanks,  
[Your Name]

🎨 Design Internship Cover Letter Template

Hi [Hiring Manager’s Name],

I’m a product design student at [University] with a focus on interaction and visual systems. What excited me about [Company Name] is your ability to turn complex workflows into simple, beautiful interfaces. I’d love to join your design team this summer.

In my last project, I redesigned a student finance dashboard as part of a class project. I ran user interviews, simplified the UI, and built a working prototype in Figma. It helped me learn the difference between "pretty" and "clear." Since then, I’ve been exploring accessibility principles and mobile-first layouts through my own design challenges.

I’ve followed your work on [specific product or case study]. The way you handle empty states and onboarding flows is top-tier. I’d love to learn more about your process and contribute where I can.

Let me know if I can send anything else.

Thanks,  
[Your Name]

📢 Marketing Internship Cover Letter Template

Hi [Hiring Manager’s Name],

I’m a third-year student majoring in business and digital media. I’ve always loved how [Company Name] tells stories that resonate without sounding forced. I’d love to join your marketing team as an intern this summer.

Last semester, I helped run social campaigns for a university club that grew our event attendance by 3x. I focused on short-form content and email copy, learning quickly what makes people click versus scroll past. I’m also working on a newsletter project where I analyze how brands use storytelling in product launches.

Your recent campaign for [Product or Initiative] really stood out to me. It felt fresh and personal—something I rarely see in B2B. I’d be excited to learn how those ideas come to life behind the scenes.

Thanks for your time. Happy to share more if needed.

Best,  
[Your Name]

tl;dr

• A cover letter is your chance to sound human and show intent.

• Start with a clear, personal hook.

• Mention something specific about the company.

• Highlight one or two relevant stories or projects.

• End with confidence and openness.

Your resume shows what you’ve done. Your cover letter explains why it matters and why you're a good fit for the role.