In an effort to redirect that energy, I've decided to start the process of my own moving on, by thinking about applying for some of the policy fellowships I've mentioned. The first is due Jan 14, and more info about it is here- I am particularly interested in the Initiative to help scientists understand the public. The application is a cover letter. Let's put aside for a moment that I've never had a "real" job, I've also never written a cover letter, esp not one that seems so important.
Right now I've got a word document open that reads:
Reasons why I am the best candidate for the Hellman fellowship:
Strong background in science (ie, dissertation work), previous exposure to a variety of fields, ie, undergrad research projects
Recognizing the important role of politics in science during CUR- Posters on the Hill, and also that many scientists choose to shy away from this interface.
Interest in the relationship between science and the public, first realized at CSPC and developed while teaching BIOSC 1590
Ambition to serve science by providing the best possible environment for good science and scientists to develop ideas that service the public--
Have any of our dear readers ever written a cover letter of this sort? Is this a good way to go about it? I'm try to specifically address some of the notions in the job description and also the initiative... but, I'm starting to feel really under qualified and quite scared about sending out this letter. Help?
3 comments:
I'd also include "Member of the Public".
The only cover letters I've ever written have been token ones. Especially for entry-level engineering stuff, all they really care about is the resume. I suspect that just writing well, expressing interest, and having good experience is probably what they're looking out for, and you fit that bill. Just remember, you're not competing against super-heroes, you're competing against scared college-level kids just like you. Whip their butts!
-N
Haha, thanks Noel.
I guess the fear is that, in the case of this fellowship, I'm actually competing against scientists with more science cred than me- you can become a part of this fellowship at any stage in your career, and the numbers (5 fellows) are evenly split between fresh PhD and OMG, why would you want to intern in Boston with a CV like that??
I have written many cover letters, and even had (a few) successes. My hunch is that this is one of those cases where the cover letter is going to count a great deal in getting you through the first evaluation process, unlike most job situations where 100 or 200 resumes are scanned for keywords before a human being even looks at the list.
I think that you are on the right track, with the breakdown you've started. I would suggest a summary paragraph up front, (which you might actually write last) but I would suggest expanding your narrative around the two key experiences that might separate you from the pack: the poster session on capital Hill (do drop Sen. Murkowski's name) and your ongoing efforts to start (emphasize START/CREATE) the bio-science ethics class.
That would seem to be *exactly* the kind of thing they are looking for in the understanding the public project. I would suggest outlining in brief what sorts of research you might do during your fellowship to understand public opinion / cultural/ religious norms etc. (Maybe take a class or two at Harvard Divinity School? )
Your actual science credentials might be less important . . . for now, write long, get creative and then later you can edit and summarize and play with the structure.
Does that make sense??
Post a Comment