Sample Cover Letter for Michael Mackay

March 27^th, 2018

Re: Software Engineer Position

To Whom It May Concern:

I’m interested in this position at your company which is why I am conveying my interest for this position at Softheon. I have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science from Stony Brook University with a 3.73 GPA. I am interested in pursuing this position as I am looking to make use of the knowledge that I have gained at Stony Brook University and apply the knowledge gained from my education as well other job positions in a professional Computer Science setting. My ability to work well in a team as well as my ability to perform the required tasks in a timely manner will allow me to be an ideal candidate for this position.

Prior to this position I worked as an Administrator for Sportspro Summer Camps LLC. Within that position I provided costumer service, worked with my fellow coworkers to achieve common tasks such as activities for the kids and planned trips, and worked on tasks that had a deadline. This position gave me general knowledge of communication skills as well as interactions with people which is certainly useful in any position and helped build the foundation for the work ethic I exhibit today. Additionally, my Computer Science degree has made me proficient in the field of Software Engineering, allowing me to program in many languages and allow me to become aware of what is expected in a position such as that. That alongside my 3.73 GPA proves that I am capable of working in the field of Software Engineering.

I am excited for the potential opportunity to contribute to this company and I strive to produce nothing but the best results for your company. Please find my resume enclosed for review. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Michael Mackay

This article written by Zeynep Tufekci, a reknowned Turkish writer, professor, and techo-sociologist, examines the recent data breach of Facebook in which 50 million people’s personal data was given to a company called Cambridge Analytica. Tufekci argues that this leaking of information should have been prevented by Facebook as Facebook willingly gave the company the people’s information once they downloaded an app provided by Cambridge Analytica. Facebook itself admits this fact, they willingly gave the information to this company, but Tufekci isn’t saying that is necessarily the problem, the problem is that this information was given to the company without the knowledge of the user. Tufecki uses this information and recent news story to argue that companies should not have so much access to our personal info and situations such as this should be so treated nonchalantly. She uses emotional appeal mostly to support her argument, using the emotion of fear to drive her argument forward, attempting to argue that companies such as Facebook have control over our personal information and we have no control over it. Tufekci states that “Facebook makes money, in other words, by profiling us and then selling our attention to advertisers, political actors, and others. These are Faceook’s true customers, whom it works hard to please” (Tufekci 1). Tufekci believes that if the people do not act against the leaks of information without our consent, this type of breach of personal info will become all too common in the future, making it quintessential for the consumer to attempt to preserve their personal data and to not allow companies such as Facebook to take advantage of our reliance on them. If you are interested in reading the article yourself you can read it here: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/19/opinion/facebook-cambridge-analytica.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fopinion&action=click&contentCollection=opinion&region=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=7&pgtype=sectionfront

The topic that I chose for my argument paper was the argument of whether music at the high school level is actually useful in preparing students for college and if music can actually benefit students academically. This is a heavily debated topic among high schools and universities alike, especially those that specialize in more STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) fields. I chose this topic because I have a passion for music and I feel that at the later stages of education music is neglected, despite its usefulness for a student, in favor of more “applicable” programs to the world. Speaking from personal experience, music has benefited me more than I could have even imagined, it allowed me to connect with my peers in a unique way and it provided a form of stress relief at times at well which is very important for students. Therefore, the benefits of music to a person is the reason why recognizing the value of music in terms of an educational standpoint is important to discuss. It is shown through numerous studies that students that took music education in high school were more inclined to be more balanced students showing proficiency in topics such as language and math. This general idea is going to be the major claim that I make regarding the subject of music and education, and I plan on using resources such as professional studies as well as personal opinions regarding the subject. A common counterpoint that will definitely be discussed is the idea that music has no direct use in the workforce, it doesn’t directly aid a student in finding jobs unless they plan on pursuing a career in music education or music performance. However, rather than directly affecting their ability in a respective field, music aids a student in a more general sense, making them a better overall learner rather than a master in a specific field. Therefore, for these reasons, I feel that it is important to recognize music in the classroom and argue for its continued in relevance in education and beyond.