Cover Letter

Alec Hageman

16214 NE 180th St

Woodinville WA, 98072

Email: shageman66@gmail.com

Phone: (206)-715-3240

 

The Seattle Times

1000 Denny Way,

Seattle, WA, 98109

Attn: Internship Hiring Manager

 

Dear Hiring Coordinator,

 

                I am writing with great enthusiasm to apply for the Summer 2026 Metro Reporter Internship at The Seattle Times. As a student passionate about local journalism and community storytelling, I am eager to contribute to the Northwest's leading news organization and learn from its Pulitzer Prize-winning staff.

The job description emphasizes the need for strong reporting, writing, and multimedia skills, as well as the ability to identify and interview news sources. My attached news report, "Challenges and joys of stocking Lake Leota," is a direct demonstration of these qualifications. For this story, I identified a compelling community event, conducted multiple interviews with residents, and synthesized their perspectives into a human-interest piece. I also incorporated original photography, demonstrating my understanding of multimedia collaboration.

Furthermore, my I-search paper on the vulnerabilities of the U.S. power grid showcases my ability to handle deep research and enterprise-style topics, skills that are essential for handling the "trending topics and enterprise reporting" mentioned in the job responsibilities. I am confident in my ability to quickly and accurately report information for both digital and print platforms.

I also have extensive experience writing, sharp prose, as can be seen in my attached writing samples which further show how I would be a good fit for this position.

I am a digitally astute and dedicated student journalist, and the opportunity to work alongside your team would be an honor. I am ready to handle daily reporting assignments and contribute to your newsroom.

Sincerely,

Alec Hageman

News Report
Grid Research Paper
Prose Writing Sample

About the job

Every year, The Seattle Times offers paid summer internships to outstanding students eager to build a career in journalism. For 10 weeks, our interns work closely with members of our Pulitzer Prize-winning staff on a variety of real-world assignments as employees at the Northwest’s leading daily news media organization. Next summer, you could be paid to train in your chosen profession.

Responsibilities

  • Pitch and handle daily reporting assignments that may include breaking news, trending topics and enterprise reporting across a variety of subject areas.

  • Identify and interview news sources.

  • Quickly and accurately report information for digital and print production.

  • Collaborate with Photos and Graphics to support stories.

  • Participate in brainstorming and story-pitch sessions.

  • Travel as needed for news coverage, sometimes on short notice.

Qualifications We are committed to diversity and creating an inclusive newsroom and encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply. If you meet most but not all of the qualifications listed, you may still be a candidate for this position. We encourage you to showcase any additional skills and unique experience as it relates to the role and its objectives. Strong preference is given to those applicants who specifically demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to the importance of diverse cultural backgrounds and experiences in newsrooms.

  • Applicants must be graduate students, seniors (including graduating seniors) or juniors attending a four-year college or university.

  • Applicants must have a demonstrated commitment to journalism, possess social media skills, and be digitally astute.

  • Internship experience at other news organizations is strongly preferred.

  • Applicants should have strong reporting, writing and multimedia skills.

  • Applicants must have a personal vehicle available to use for the duration of their internship.