Sample cover letter for Internship position at Human Rights Watch

To Whom it May be Concerned:

I am writing in response to the Development and Outreach (Women’s Rights) Department internship position

that was advertised through The Human Rights Watch website. After carefully reviewing the responsibilities of

the position, I am confident that my dedication to nonprofit work, academic interest and professional

experience will ensure my ability to succeed at a professional, meticulous setting such as that of the

department.

I have excellent administrative and organizational skills and the ability to work both independently and with a

group as evidenced by my experience working as the Co-Marketing Director of FeelGood at Columbia

University. FeelGood is national student run social movement and 501(c)(3) nonprofit in partner with the

Hunger Project. The Columbia University chapter creates and delivers grilled cheeses to students on campus

weekly in addition to catering events on campus and throughout the city to raise awareness and funds for the

Hunger Project. As the Co-Marketing Director, I am a member of the executive board, and a forerunner of

creating promotions and campus relationships to promote not only FeelGood’s presence on campus, but

awareness of poverty, chronic hunger, women’s equality, sustainability, and other related issues. Since being

promoted to this position in January, I have increased FeelGood’s social media presence by one fifth, and sales

have increased dramatically through a variety of new promotions. I personally work closely with the Treasurer

and the Social chair to make inferences based on social media, and sales stats, in order to develop further

marketing promotions. I have also created and coordinated a marketing team to help me implement the ideas

the other Co-Marketing Manager and I have developed.

Furthermore, as a prospective Political Economy major minoring in Applied Math, I am extremely interested in

developing hands on professional experience in both a development and outreach department as well as at an

international human rights organization. In addition to international development and service, I have an

academic interest in policy and business. My previous experience with the nonprofit, Sustainable Harvest

International (SHI) has created and fomented my current passion for international development. Since 2006, I

have been working with SHI, a nonprofit that helps impoverished farming families throughout Central America

by teaching local field trainers sustainable farming techniques while helping the environment. I have had

experience as both a volunteer in an international setting, as an outreach volunteer. In addition to being a

member of the Columbia University Students for Human Rights club, I have also taken relevant coursework

such as United States Government and Politics, International Politics, Principles of Economics, Ethnicity and

Social Transformation, and Women and Culture. Finally, as a student at a women’s college in New York City, I

have been given the opportunity to be introduced to women leaders and gender equality in a focused and

inspiring light. I especially have a strong bond and interest in women’s rights issues. As an events planner with

the Emerging Leaders Program, the Co-Marketing manager of FeelGood, and given my previous position as an

outreach volunteer with Sustainable Harvest International and an intern at the Superior Court of Providence’s

clerk’s office, I have the previous experience, and interest for this position.

Finally, I am an extremely dedicated and passionate person. I would be honored to receive an internship

position at the Human Rights Watch.

Sincerely,

_____