AWD 3302: Project Files

Project 2

Student id: s25

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  • Leo Stolov
  • 606 Columbus Ave #3R Boston, MA 02118
  • 860-519-9771
  • stolov.l@husky.neu.edu

Dear Joshua Elvander,

I am writing to express my interest in the mechanical engineering fall internship position, which I found through Northeastern's co-op network. I am approaching my fourth year as a BS/MS candidate for Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in Mechatronics and am eager to gain more hands-on experience in new industries. I believe my previous experience and passion for automation and interdisciplinary work make me an ideal candidate for this role.[i.n.]

During my time at Portal Instruments, another start up in the area, I worked on a complex electromechanical assembly, which was later used as a in [i.n.]human studies for a needle-free drug delivery device. This project involved a lot of independent design, fabrication, and testing, which I believe is not unlike the work I would be doing at Piaggio.[i.n.] At my last co-op at Bio-Rad, I worked mostly independently on a piece of automation equipment, meant to automate a complex manufacturing process of a DNA sequencing consumable. This involved the integration of mechanical, electrical, and software disciplines. Specifically, this meant extensive experience with CAD design of precision parts, wiring, and programming a TRIO motion controller.

In addition to my work experience, I also participate in AIAA, where I have begun to help with the mechanical design of an RC plane as well as the electrical and software implementation of several components. This involves more Solidworks design, as well as learning how to read various sensors such as altimeters and gyroscopes using an Arduino.

My previous supervisors have described me as a self motivated worker with an eagerness to learn,[i.n.] which I believe would make me a great fit for the start up environment of Piaggio. I would appreciate an opportunity to meet with you to discuss my qualifications in further detail. Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to speaking with you soon.[i.n.]
  • Sincerely,
  • Leo Stolov

Peer review

This cover letter conveys interest in a fall internship position at a engineering start up at Piaggio. The writer emphasises his experience in electromechanical assemblies and automation as well as his willingness and drive to learn through hands on work.

I agree that your introductory and closing paragraphs are both very strong and probably don't need much editting. They work really well in conveying what you want and what your strengths are. The only recommendation I might make would be to mention the company name in your first sentence. This seems to be convention in cover letters, and it will clarify exactly what job you're writing this letter for.

I also agree that your background paragraph(s) should be developed a little further. I think it would be worth it to dedicate a paragraph to each of your co-ops; or atleast one paragraph for both your co-ops and one for AIAA (which should probably be spelled out because I don't know what exactly it is). I think that between these three different experiences you've probably gained a lot of skills and made a lot of accomplishments. This is your opportunity to expand upon your experiences more than just listing what they were like in your resume. The manager you are writing to is definitely going to have experience with automation, design, electronics, software,etc. especially at a start up like Piaggo is. If you can talk about at least one major skill that you learned or one major accomplishment that you achieved at each co-op and in AIAA then it is probably a safe bet that the manager will have questions for you about it. It will be a method of selling your skills and qualifications in your cover letter, setting yourself apart from other applicants, as well as having some control/influence over the interview conversation before you even get there. If there are specific engineering/automation programs that you have learned to use, that would probably be helpful to mention as well, because it would be one less thing you would have to learn for a job at Piaggo.

Overall, I think you have a great set up for a cover letter, and very effective introduction and closing paragraphs. With more details about your experience and qualifications I'd say you are all set. You followed and took advantage of most of the elements in our schema very effectively. Reading through your cover letter made me notice that we could probably have included more sub elements under "experience" to guide the writer through what to include in experience paragraphs. Maybe we can consider breaking down 'experience' into sub elements like 'skills' 'certifications' 'accomplishments' 'projects, or something along those lines.

Instructor Note

It looks like you got a great peer review from Monica and your revised draft looks really strong. Your specificity w/r/t to both your own experience/skills and your potential fit with the company represent the genre very well (from how I understand it from your group presentation). Really nice work, I would say this looks good to send save a few minor corrections I note above..