Public service requires the ability to interpret information, recognize patterns, and make informed decisions that impact communities and systems. 

Show how you: 

• Evaluated information 

• Identified patterns or problems 

• Made or informed decisions 

Example: 

Assessed community survey data to identify gaps in service delivery, informing recommendations for program improvement 

Public service work depends on translating complex ideas clearly. 

Show how you: 

• Wrote, presented, briefed, or explained 

Example: 

• Presented policy recommendations to class stakeholders, synthesizing research into actionable insights 

Many public service roles require you to take responsibility for outcomes while working within systems that involve multiple people, processes, and considerations. 

Show how you: 

• Coordinated others 

• Managed processes 

• Operated within systems 

Example: 

• Coordinated scheduling and onboarding for volunteer team of 25+, improving participation and reducing conflicts 

You should show consistent engagement with work that involves serving or interacting with the public: 

• Community engagement 

• Civic involvement 

• Policy or research interest 

Remember: 

• You are not expected to have everything figured out. Instead, your resume should communicate: 

• You can think critically 

• You can communicate effectively 

• You understand how to work within complex systems 

• You are beginning to engage with public service and civic life 

• Your evidence is of how you operate within systems, solve problems, and contribute to work that affects others. 

In public service, law, policy, and government‑adjacent spaces, many applicants will look similar on paper. Comparable coursework. Similar internships. Overlapping skills. The cover letter is where you differentiate yourself and is often used in place of writing samples. 

This is where you demonstrate: 

• Fit for the role and organization 

• Genuine interest grounded in research and reflection 

• Alignment between the opportunity, the organization’s mission, and your longer‑term goals 

Could your cover letter be the difference between acceptance and rejection at your top‑choice program, office, or internship? Yes—especially in competitive environments like graduate programs, legislative offices, and policy organizations. 

Your cover letter functions as a pre‑interview. It is your chance to explain: 

• Why are you interested in this specific opportunity? 

• Why does it matter to you? 

• How do you understand the organization’s mission and values? 

• How do your past experiences suggest you would contribute positively to the team and its culture? 

Strong cover letters help the reader clearly imagine you in the role. 

A cover letter is not: 

• A rewritten résumé 

• Vague, generic, or interchangeable across applications 

• AI‑generated or formulaic in voice 

• A narration of your current job description 

• A detailed explanation of your 10‑year life plan 

• Presumptuous, assumptive, or overly confident 

• Braggadocious or self‑important 

In public service fields, especially, tone matters. Confidence should come from clarity and preparation, not from exaggeration or entitlement. 

Your cover letter should visually match your résumé. Together, they are a set. 

Use: 

• The same font (Times New Roman or Calibri) 

• The same font size (preferably 11 or 12) 

• The same header (name and contact information) 

Do not include your personal mailing address. Correspondence for admissions and hiring processes is conducted electronically, and your address is no longer necessary. 

You should, however, include the employer’s or institution’s business address in your heading when it is available. While your materials may be submitted online, this remains a standard professional convention and signals familiarity with expectations in government, legal, and public service environments. 

Your heading must include: 

• The date 

• Employer or institution name 

• Business address (if available) 

• A proper greeting 

All items should be left‑aligned. 

Do not guess names or titles. If you do not know a detail, do not include it, but you should make every reasonable effort to research the correct information. 

There is no secret to a strong cover letter. There is a formula; follow it. 

Once you write one genuinely strong letter, you can adapt it for future opportunities. This is particularly useful if you are applying to: 

• Multiple graduate programs 

• Several law schools 

• Similar internships (e.g., legislative offices, policy centers, agencies) 

This is called a plug‑and‑play approach: 

• The structure stays the same 

• The details change to reflect the organization, opportunity, and your interest 

At a high level, every effective cover letter does four things: 

1. Introduces who you are and why you are writing 

2. Demonstrates preparedness through relevant experience 

3. Shows alignment with the organization’s mission and values 

4. Closes with clarity and confidence, while inviting further conversation (e.g., an interview) 

View an example

Networking takes place across a variety of settings, both formal and informal. These include: 

• Career fairs and employer events 

• Guest lectures, workshops, and information sessions 

• The Mentorship Program and alumni connections 

• Informational interviews and one‑on‑one conversations 

• Digital platforms such as LinkedIn and Handshake 

• Entry-level opportunities such as internships 

Each setting offers a different entry point. Career fairs and events allow for quick introductions and initial connections. The Mentorship Program and informational interviews allow more focused, one-on-one conversations and sustained guidance over time. As you continue to engage in these opportunities, you build relationships that can support your academic growth, professional skills, and long-term career development. 

When done well, a powerful introduction opens the door for conversation and helps others see how they can support your development. 

LinkedIn and Handshake are tools, not substitutes, for real engagement. They help you identify opportunities, connect with professionals, and follow up after initial interactions. LinkedIn is primarily used to: 

• Build and maintain professional connections 

• Explore career paths and organizations 

• Engage with content related to your interests 

When reaching out, your goal should be to learn and connect, not to ask for a job. Keep messages brief, specific, and respectful of the other person’s time. 

Be intentional about who you connect with. Prioritize: 

• UT Alumni working in fields of interest 

• Professionals you meet at career fairs, panels, or events 

• Internship supervisors, mentors, and guest speakers 

• Early‑career professionals (often more responsive and open to conversation) 

Always anchor your connection in context (e.g., “It was great meeting you at…” or “I’m a student interested in your work in…”). The goal is to build a relevant network, not just a large one. Handshake is primarily used to: 

• Discover internships and job postings 

• Register for events and information sessions 

• Connect with employers recruiting in your field 

Use Handshake proactively by attending events and following up with employers after meeting them. 

To make the most of it: 

• Use filters for location (including remote roles) 

• Search by industry or job function, not just job titles 

• Regularly attend virtual and national employer events 

• Follow organizations of interest and track postings over time 

Across both platforms, consistency matters. Updating your profile, engaging with opportunities, and following through on connections helps build your professional presence over time. 

Powerful Introductions 

Strong introductions allow you to quickly and clearly communicate who you are, what you are interested in, and what you are seeking. These are essential in networking conversations, interviews, career fairs, LinkedIn messages, and informational meetings.  

A simple and effective structure to follow is: 

“I’m interested in X, I have experience in Y, and I’m currently seeking Z.” 

While the structure remains the same, how you deliver your introduction should shift depending on the context. 

In written platforms, your introduction should be slightly more polished and direct. Keep it brief and focused, and always include a clear reason for reaching out (to connect, learn, or have a brief conversation). 

Interviews and Informational Conversations 

In interviews or scheduled conversations, your introduction can be slightly more developed, with a stronger narrative connection between your interests and experiences. 

In in‑person, high‑volume settings, your introduction should be short, confident, and easy to deliver in about 20–30 seconds. 

In interviews or scheduled conversations, your introduction can be slightly more developed, with a stronger narrative connection between your interests and experiences.