Project 3
Student id: w28
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<DOC>
<docHead>
<!--required header includes metadata about the assignment (title, author, version)-->
<title>Cover Letter - Writing Project 3</title>
<author xml:id="your_id_here">Samantha Wagner</author>
<version n="1" date="2016-08-11"/>
</docHead>
<cover_letter>
<header>
<name>Samantha Wagner</name>
<contact_info>
<!-- One or More Contact -->
<contact type="address">38 Hemenway Street; Boston, MA 02115 </contact>
<contact type="phone">425-686-0452 </contact>
<contact type="email">sammwag@gmail.com</contact>
</contact_info>
</header>
<greeting>Dear Mr. Sarkisian,</greeting>
<intro_para>
<intent type="purpose">I am interested in applying for a summer internship position
within the structural engineering group at Skidmore, Owings and Merrill during the
summer of 2017.</intent>
<intent type="connection">After speaking with you over the phone this past summer about
the different opportunities at SOM, I became increasingly interested in pursuing a
job within the engineering department.</intent><note type="peer">What did he say
over the phone that really attracted you?</note>
<reason>I have a strong interest in both architecture and structural
engineering</reason> and <proposition>I think I would be a great fit with the SOM
culture. I have the necessary technical skills and passion for learning that would
help me to succeed in a fast paced environment.</proposition>
</intro_para>
<para_background>
<experience type="personal">Growing up I was exceedingly interested in the study of
architecture and the design of the built environment. However it was not until late
in highschool that I realized that my interests were more technical in nature. <note
type="peer">Formatting: extra closing accomplishments
section</note></experience>
<experience type="school">Now in my fourth year at Northeastern University I am pursuing
a master's degree in civil engineering with a focus in structural.<accomplishments>
I have taken courses in both the technical aspects of engineering and design as
well as on the history of architecture in America.</accomplishments>
</experience>
<experience type="work">Entering into the industry I did not realize how isolated each
of the different companies working on a project could be. In the past two years I
have co-oped with two different companies within the building industry. With Skanska
I <accomplishments>developed a better understanding of the technical and
coordination aspects involved with the construction of a project.<note
type="instructor" resp="#kgs">could be useful to go into more specifics
here: what kinds of projects did you work on; what were your primary
responsibilities?</note></accomplishments> While working at Simpson Gumpertz
and Heger I was able to apply my <skills>technical knowledge from classes</skills>
and improve my design skills with programs such as <programs>AutoCAD, Revit and RAM
Steel.</programs> Ultimately I hope to one day use my technical background and
project management skills to bring the separate groups together to work as a
cohesive unit under each project.<note type="peer">maybe be more specific with an
accomplishment you've made at work, this is our chance to show off your
technical skills. Consider mentioning how your structural expertise played into
your ability to quickly pick up new programs</note></experience>
</para_background>
<closing_statements>
<compatability> For these reasons I think I will fit in well with the holistic design
culture of SOM.</compatability>
<next_step>I have attached my resume to this letter and I hope to hear from you in the
future regarding possible opennings for interns in the Summer of 2017.</next_step>
</closing_statements>
<signature>
<salutation>Sincerely,</salutation>
<pb/>
<name>Samantha Wagner</name>
</signature>
</cover_letter>
<docReview>
<reviewer type="peer" xml:id="p22"/>
<report type="peer" resp="#p22">
<p> Your background sections shows how you came to the conclusion that SOM would be a
good fit for you. Maybe touch on how your desires play well into what SOM wants. For
example, your interest in architecture combined with your technical expertise will
allow you to be a crucial player in late-term project meetings where these two,
commonly incompatible, goups have to meet (architects and structural engineers).
Your ability in one field and your interest in the other sets you up well for upper
management down the line as well as allows you to save the company money by not
persuing one path initially with complete ignorance of the priorities of the other
departments. For a company, having someone that can act as a technical specialist
and a communications asset is extremely valuable. </p>
</report>
<reviewer type="instructor" xml:id="kgs"/>
<report type="instructor" resp="#kgs">
<p>This is a good cover letter. My main advice on revising is to try to find some
aspects of the job that you can reference w/r/t your past experiences. You might
also bring up certain classes that are relevant. I realize this cover letter is a
bit different since there is no actual job call, but it seems you have a pretty good
sense of the firm and position, leverage that knowledge to promote your previous
skills as applicable to SOM's mission/projects.</p>
</report>
</docReview>
</DOC>