Cover Letter Assignment

[Date] [Applicant’s name and address] Dr. David Matsumoto, Director Department of Psychology 1600 Holloway Avenue San Francisco, CA 94132 Dear Dr. Matsumoto:

I am excited to apply as a Research Assistant for your Culture and Emotion Laboratory (CERL). My interest in your field developed after taking Psychology 455 in Spring of 2018, and reading your textbook, Culture and Psychology. The course and your textbook left a great impression on me. While one obvious goal was to earn a high letter grade (happy to say I received an A grade), just as important to me was the personal insight I gained. As a Pakistani Pashtun woman who moved to the United States at the age of 7, I have been navigating the differences in these cultures for much of my life. I can appreciate the pressures of assimilation not felt by most others and I believe this experience gives me a unique outlook. Living in these two starkly different cultures has challenged me but also blessed me with a broad perspective on what it means to be human.

Studying psychology has given me further insight into the feelings and emotions of other people. I work to expand on this perspective through participation in the self-development program at the Wright Institute in Berkeley, CA and volunteering at the Golden Bear Sleep and Mood Research Clinic at UC- Berkeley. I find the study of psychology to be cathartic and see the benefits of balancing cognitive thoughts and behavior.

Although I am still a semester away from receiving my BA in psychology, it is my goal to earn a PhD in the field. The opportunity to further my experience through working and studying with you will be an amazing opportunity. I believe I can be a valuable addition to the CERL team. My educational and personal

experience makes me a strong candidate to be apart of your team in researching emotion and culture. My previous experience working as a student advisor in the psychology department at San Francisco State University as well as my current position as a tutor for general psychology with Professor Hughes Stone has provided me with a solid platform to build from. Currently, I am only enrolled in one course this semester as I seek work and volunteer positions; hence my schedule is quite open to volunteer at least six hours per week.

I am passionate about Psychology and highly motivated to fill the Research Assistant position. I look forward to the opportunity to assist you in this dynamic and essential field.

Sincerely,

Erika Dyquisto