Internships offer students opportunities to gain firsthand work experience. When they do their work perfectly, it could open professional doors to the students. Skilled professionals who want to advance education may want to get internship opportunities. They gain more skills and their resumes stand out during job applications. Once an intern completes their internship program, the host company may give an internship letter of recommendation.


Schools also write internship reference letters to employers. They recommend their students to be allowed to take internship opportunities. They may present the recommendation letter for internship to future employers and the dean of studies. An internship reference letter adds value to the job application letters the candidate sends. It explains specific work scenarios the intern was engaged in and their productivity level.

Recommendation Letters For Internship












What is an internship reference letter?

An internship reference letter is written by a school or employer. The writer recommends someone to be considered for an internship position. The letter of recommendation for intern provides details about the character of the person.  Mainly, an internship recommendation letter is written by a teacher to a company. 

Former employers may also write a recommendation letter for internship. The writer of the reference letter explains that the candidate is committed to playing their roles effectively. 

The person may describe the strength of the person they are recommending.  A recommendation letter for internship provides an outline of their relationship with the person they are recommending. 

The letter of recommendation for intern tells the recipient how long they have known the person. It presents the person as a perfect fit for the position.

The person who writes an internship reference letter should know the person well. Once the recommender signs the letter, it bears the authority of the writer.

Internship Reference Letters











Who should write a recommendation letter for internship?

An internship reference letter is addressed to an organization to assist an applicant get an internship position. Anyone can draft the letter provided they know the applicant well.  The letter of recommendation for intern adds weight to the application. The organization trusts the message in the recommendation letter due to the credibility of the recommender.

The writer evaluates the applicant’s academic and professional experiences. Based on those experiences, they recommend the person for the position. Any of the following people can write an internship reference letter.

  • University professors. Professors in the academic field can write an internship reference letter on behalf of their students. They have the authority to write the reference letter since they have known the person for two or four years. 
  • A former employer. An employee might have worked for a certain period and then decided to advance education. At the end of the course, the former employer may write a recommendation letter on behalf of the former employee. 
  • A coach. A sports coach may also write an internship recommendation letter. The applicant must have been a member of the team for some time. In the internship reference letter, the coach may explain the commitment of the applicant to sports. 
  • Community or faith-based leader. The recommendation letter for internship may be written by a faith-based organization or community leader. The applicant should be a member of the organization or community.

The person who writes the letter of recommendation for intern is someone who has known the person long enough. There is no specific period required but some organizations may put a minimum limit. They might want the recommender to know the person for at least two years. 

That time can be long enough for the person to describe the character of the applicant. The recommender must never be a family member of the applicant. Get someone who bears authority in society, professional, sports, or academic fields.

Why is an internship recommendation letter important?

The purpose of an internship recommendation letter provide organizations with detailed information about an applicant. After the internship completion, it is important to ask for an internship reference letter. They need it when applying for a job as it defines their personal skills and other relevant skills to the hiring teams.

Some organizations may hire interns at the end of the internship period. At the internship completion, the person must prove valuable to the company and show his caliber beyond the academic achievements.

If the company does not have a job position, the intern may ask for a recommendation letter. Whether an intern is getting a reference letter from the university or employer, its importance cannot be overlooked.

  • Adds credibility to achievements
    The person who will write an internship recommendation letter can be a professor or employer. They give a testimony about the applicant through this professional letter. Their testimony adds strength to the information in the applicant’s resume. It confirms their qualifications and personal attributes and this is why recommendation letters are important for every student internship.
  • Useful to hiring teams
    A recommendation letter offers a brief description of a person. Since it is their former professor, employer, or leader who writes, it confirms their skills.
    From the details in the recommendation letter for internship an organization can measure the capabilities of the person. Due to the testimony given, the applicant can easily get a well-paying job.
  • Makes an application stand out
    Many applicants may apply for intern positions. After internships, they may all apply for similar jobs. In the huge competition, the applicant who holds an internship reference letter stands on firmer ground. The letter differentiates them from all other applicants.
  • Proves the applicant’s commitment
    Lecturers, employers, and community leaders do not automatically write a reference for internship sample. It is upon the individual to go and request to be given one. The effort made to make a formal request shows the person has a higher level of commitment.

Letters Of Recommendation For Intern











How does one ask for a recommendation letter?

A recommendation letter is usually requested while in university. Just before the final exams, most courses require students to work in an internship position. The position is counted as part of the exam. Before the time comes to go out and actively apply for internships, the student should make a formal request to get the letter. 

A recommendation letter for internship is also requested once an intern completes their internship period. The employer writes the reference letter recommending the intern to future employers. 

It takes an effort to step forward and ask for a letter of recommendation for intern. Here are the steps to follow when asking for an internship reference letter.

  • Know who to ask
    Anyone in the institution can write a recommendation letter. However, not everyone can write a good letter. It matters the position they hold and the relationship you have with them.
    At school, the best person to ask for the letter is your professor. At work, the best person is your immediate manager or supervisor. Approach a person who can market you. The person should be able to bring out the best character in you.
  • Do not get late
    The person you want to ask for an internship recommendation letter could be busy. You cannot rush them to prepare the letter at the last minute. Writing a good recommendation letter for internship needs time.
    The best solution is to give the recommender enough time. Plan and ask for the letter a few weeks earlier.  They will view you as organized and might have more attributes about you in the letter.
  • Assist with your data
    The person writing the internship reference letter might not have all the information they need about you. Before you formally ask for the letter, prepare some data about you.
    You may write about your history and unique attributes. Write where you have worked before, your academics, and skills. It makes the work of the recommender easier.
  • Seek information
    The recommender might want more information from you. Instead of waiting for them to ask, dig deeper and get it yourself.  Let them know when you need the letter and who they are writing to.
    Guide them on whether there are specific details the company might want captured in the reference letter.  Some employers might want the letter to go straight to the employer. Referring to a reference for internship sample might help you know the finer details needed.
  • Remind them
    It proves you are responsible if you remind the person from time to time. Avoid too many reminders because you might irritate the person. If the deadline is far, one reminder per week might work. If it is drawing near, do several reminders per week. It is important to appreciate it once you get the letter.
    Say thank you or send a note showing your appreciation for the help. It might also be important to let them know that you have landed an internship once you get it.

How do you write a good recommendation letter for an intern?

Set aside enough time to create an attractive internship reference letter. You need to be certain about the details you want to include in the letter. To write an impressive recommendation letter, follow these steps.

  • Spend time in research
    Research allows you to get as many ideas as you can. You will get information that will allow you to write a letter that stands out. Research may involve getting a reference for internship sample to help you understand the design.  Referring to a reference for internship sample ensures you do not miss any step.
  • Write an introduction
    Know the person or organization you are writing to. Introduce yourself to the organization. Let them know who you are, your work position, and the institution you work with.
    Introduce your relationship with the applicant. For instance, say you teach the person at school or are their supervisor. An introduction makes it easier for you to move straight into the next step.
  • Introduce the person’s skills for the job
    Go on and say why you feel the person is worth getting the internship. Their worth is based on the skills they have. The person might have excellent soft skills and good academic qualifications.
    Include as many details as possible in this section. This is the part that makes the employer decide if the person will bring value to the organization.
  • Give your contact data
    The employer might want to contact you to clarify some information about the applicant. A recommendation letter for internship without contact data might lack credibility. Let the employer know they can contact you anytime or at a specific time of the day or week. Include an email address and telephone contact.
  • Formally request an interview
    Instead of leaving the decision about whether to interview or not entirely to the employer, indirectly make a CTA. Prompt the organization to interview with the applicant. This action shows you know the person well and are confident they will pass the interview.
  • Close with a thank you and sign
    Thank the employer for taking the time to read your letter of recommendation for intern. End with your name and sign the letter.

Reference For Internship Samples











What is the structure of a reference letter?

A reference letter takes a formal structure and uses a formal tone. It can be broken down into three main parts. It is important to know the information that must go into each part of the internship reference letter. A sample letter or this is of great help if you want to understand it with the help of specific examples.

  • The introduction section
    This section in recommendation letters introduces two people – yourself and the applicant. A strong letter lets the employer know who you are and also how you know the applicant. This section should be short and not exceed one paragraph.
  • The body section
    The body provides every detail about the qualification of the application. It explains how well they are fitted for the opportunity for the summer program. You may break down this section into three concrete paragraphs.
    The first section briefly describes the academic achievements and skill-based qualifications of the candidate.
    The next section focuses on the soft skills of the person that makes them stand out. These are skills and personal traits that can help them adapt to the work environment. Add any relevant information that will help the person stand out strong.
    The last section offers a summary of the information you have discussed in the first two paragraphs. It also contains your contact details in case the company might want to discuss further.
  • Conclusion section
    The final section is the conclusion. It is the section that crowns the information. It concludes a prompt for an interview. Highlight again the good qualifications of the applicant and show their positive side. Portray their best side but do not exaggerate.