<p>I am sorry to hear about your son’s father’s illness.</p>
<p>Your S also may be able to get help from the alumni office. They may be able to tell him if there are alum working in the field where he’d like to intern. Often alum are very helpful to students from their alma maters.</p>
<p>When cold calling, he should do his best to reach a person who has a job that he’d like to have some day, and he should ask that person if he can come in and meet for 10-15 mins. to get career advice. If the person says yes, your S should come in (dressed in a suit) and bring a resume, and get advice – including how to get an internship. I know people who have gotten internships that way. </p>
<p>Before calling or sending letters, your S should thoroughly research the companies that he’s contacting so he can write his letter targeted to their mission and needs.</p>
<p>Your son’s letter also needs to sell himself. </p>
<p>Example of a bad letter:
"To Whom it May Concern:</p>
<p>My name is XXXX. I am a student at XXX college, and I am looking for a summer internship because that’s a requirement of my major, which is XXX.</p>
<p>Enclosed is my resume."</p>
<p>Example of a good letter:</p>
<p>"Dear (insert name of person at the hospital):
Over the past 3 years, I have spent XXX hours volunteering in hospitals that are similar to yours. While being a XXX major carrying an XXX (include if at least 3.0) at XXX college, I have taken courses in (related to the field of the internship), and have done XXXX as a volunteer while also participating in the following clubs (insert clubs related to internship/major).</p>
<p>I have been very impressed by your hospital’s (insert information that he learned about the hospital), and would like to intern there for the summer. (include info about whether he can do an unpaid internship for course credit).My skills in (list skills) would be useful.</p>
<p>Enclosed is my resume. I will call next week to follow-up.</p>
<p>Sincerely,"</p>