Cover Letter

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Subrota Shill
 Jamaica, NY
[email protected] | (631) 612-3758
LinkedIn Profile

April 30, 2024

Dear Spring Forward Selection Committee,

I am writing to express my strong interest in participating in the CUNY Spring Forward Internship Program. As a first-year undergraduate student at Baruch College majoring in Business Communication, I am excited about the opportunity to gain real-world experience and contribute my skills and enthusiasm to a professional setting. I meet the eligibility requirements and am eager to learn, grow, and represent the mission of Spring Forward through this meaningful internship opportunity.

My academic journey is supported by the Percy Ellis Sutton SEEK Program, where I’ve maintained a 3.7 GPA while actively engaging in leadership initiatives. As a Marketing Committee Member of ALPFA (Association of Latino Professionals for America), I’ve collaborated with diverse teams to create cohesive social media campaigns and leveraged TikTok analytics to optimize engagement strategies. These experiences have not only sharpened my communication and organizational skills but also given me a deeper appreciation for brand messaging and teamwork essential skills in any professional environment.

I also hold memberships with the Baruch Wall Street Club and the Urban Male Leadership Academy (UMLA), both of which have nurtured my commitment to professional development and financial literacy. Through UMLA, I’ve engaged in peer mentoring and cultural dialogue workshops that have helped me build emotional intelligence and community awareness traits I bring to every opportunity I pursue.

My prior work experiences as an Assistant Manager at the Instant Noodle Factory and as a Library Assistant at the New York Public Library have helped me develop a strong foundation in customer service, multitasking, and operational support. At the noodle shop, I managed stock, supported staff training, and assisted a wide range of customers. At the library, I handled book cataloging, patron assistance, and administrative support. These roles, while not traditional internships, have taught me accountability, time management, and the value of adaptability.

As someone who has not yet had the chance to complete a paid internship, I am particularly grateful for a program like Spring Forward, which makes it a mission to uplift and prioritize underrepresented and early-career students like myself. I am confident that my academic dedication, diverse leadership experiences, and customer-focused work ethic make me a strong candidate for this program.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to learn, contribute, and grow through the Spring Forward Internship and to connect with other CUNY students who share my ambition and curiosity. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need any additional information.Sincerely,
Subrota Shill

Rhetorical Analysis

| SUBROTA SHILL

Rhetorical and Visual Analysis of the CUNY Spring Forward Website and Internship Description

When I went on the CUNY Spring Forward website, I saw that it is trying to help students like me. The internship is made for CUNY students who never had a paid internship before. That means it is trying to help beginners, not people who already had many chances. The audience for this internship is students who go to CUNY schools. That means it’s for people who might not have many connections or experience. The people they want are students who are still early in school, like freshmen and sophomores. They also say they give priority to students in community colleges. That shows they care about people who may need extra help and support. The audience is not people who already have great jobs. It’s students who are just starting and want to build a future.

The values and mission of CUNY and this program are to give equal opportunities and help students grow. The website says that interns will get paid $20 an hour and work 15 hours a week. That is very good for a student who is trying to make money and get experience. They also say students will learn on the job and work in one of New York City’s four cornerstone industries. That means they want to prepare students for real jobs in the city. They also talk about meeting other CUNY students and working in teams. That shows that they value learning, community, and helping students find their paths.

When I looked at the website, it looked simple and easy to read. That is good because sometimes websites are too hard. This one had nice icons, like money signs and buildings, which made it more fun and clear. That is a visual strength. It also had bold writing that helped me know what the most important parts were. But I think the website could be better in one way. It doesn’t have a lot of pictures of real people. I think if they had more photos of students doing internships, it would help make the site feel more alive and real. That is one weakness I saw.

Now I want to talk about ethos, pathos, and logos. First, ethos means trust. I trust the program because it is from CUNY. CUNY is a big school system and I go there. That makes me believe that they are telling the truth. They also talk about helping students who never had an internship before. That shows they are kind and fair. That helps build trust too.

Next is pathos, which means emotions. The website made me feel hopeful. When I read that I could get paid and get work experience, I felt excited. It made me believe that I can do something good with my future. They use words like “pursue your future” and “learn on the job,” and that made me feel proud to try something new.

Last is logos, which means logic. The program says you get $20 per hour, and you work 15 hours a week. That’s clear and makes sense. It also says when the internship starts and ends. That makes it easier to plan. They explain who can apply and what you need to do. That is using logic and facts to explain everything.

In conclusion, the Spring Forward internship website is made for CUNY students who want to get started in their careers. The website is simple and helpful, but it could use more real pictures. The rhetorical appeals of ethos, pathos, and logos are strong. It makes you feel ready, excited, and sure that this is a real and fair chance. I think it is a great program that helps students get ahead and build their dreams.