Introduction
Writing an effective internship recommendation letter is a critical step in helping students or recent graduates secure valuable internship opportunities. A well-crafted letter can highlight the candidate’s skills, character, and potential, making them stand out to potential employers. This guide provides 8+ sample internship recommendation letters, each tailored to different scenarios and industries, to help you craft compelling recommendations.
Whether you’re a professor, supervisor, or mentor, these examples will guide you in structuring your letter, emphasizing key qualities, and ensuring your recommendation makes a lasting impression. Each letter is professionally formatted and includes essential elements such as contact information, specific examples, and a strong closing statement.
1. Academic Internship Recommendation Letter
Dr. Emily Carter
Department of Business Administration
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
October 15, 2023
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am delighted to recommend Alexandra Johnson for the marketing internship position at your esteemed organization. As Alexandra’s professor and academic advisor, I have had the pleasure of witnessing her exceptional growth and dedication to the field of marketing.
During her tenure at the University of Michigan, Alexandra excelled in courses such as Digital Marketing and Consumer Behavior, consistently demonstrating a deep understanding of marketing principles and practices. Her ability to analyze complex data sets and develop innovative strategies is truly impressive. For example, in her final project for Digital Marketing, Alexandra led a team that created a comprehensive social media campaign that increased engagement by over 40% for a local business.
Alexandra’s exceptional work ethic, combined with her outstanding interpersonal skills, makes her an invaluable asset to any team. I am confident that she will bring the same level of enthusiasm and dedication to your internship program.
Please feel free to contact me at (734) 763-4567 or ecarter@umich.edu if you require any further information.
Sincerely,
Dr. Emily Carter
2. Internship Program Recommendation Letter
Mr. David Thompson
Program Director, TechStart Internships
TechStart Inc.
San Francisco, CA 94105
November 2, 2023
Dear Mr. Thompson,
I am writing to wholeheartedly recommend Ethan Martinez for the software development internship at TechStart. As Ethan’s supervisor during his internship at Innovatech, I had the opportunity to observe and guide his growth in a professional setting.
Ethan joined Innovatech as an intern in June 2023 and quickly became an integral part of our development team. He demonstrated exceptional coding skills, particularly in Python and JavaScript, and showed a remarkable ability to learn and adapt to new technologies. One of his most notable contributions was his work on our mobile app project, where he developed a feature that improved user engagement by 25%.
Ethan’s problem-solving abilities, combined with his collaborative spirit, make him an excellent candidate for your internship program. I am confident that he will excel in your program and make valuable contributions to your team.
Please do not hesitate to contact me at (415) 987-6543 or dthompson@techstart.com if you need any further information.
Sincerely,
Ms. Sarah Johnson
3. Character Reference Internship Letter
Ms. Laura Bennett
Director of Student Affairs
City College of New York
New York, NY 10031
September 20, 2023
Dear Ms. Bennett,
I am writing to enthusiastically recommend Olivia Smith for the internship program at City College of New York. As Olivia’s mentor and advisor, I have had the pleasure of working closely with her over the past two years.
Olivia is an outstanding individual with a strong moral character and a deep commitment to her community. She has been actively involved in several volunteer programs, including the local food bank and a youth mentorship initiative. Her ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds and her dedication to making a positive impact make her an exceptional candidate for your program.
Olivia’s leadership skills were evident when she organized a charity event that raised over $10,000 for a local children’s hospital. Her ability to motivate and inspire others, combined with her organizational skills, ensured the event’s success. I am confident that she will bring the same level of enthusiasm and dedication to your internship program.
Please feel free to contact me at (212) 555-1234 or lbennett@ccny.edu if you need any further information.
Sincerely,
Dr. Michael Brown
4. Graduate School Internship Recommendation Letter
Dr. Sophia Patel
Graduate Program Director
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA 02138
October 10, 2023
Dear Dr. Patel,
I am delighted to recommend Ryan Taylor for the graduate school internship program at Harvard University. As Ryan’s academic advisor and professor of economics, I have had the pleasure of witnessing his exceptional academic performance and dedication to his field of study.
Ryan has consistently demonstrated a deep understanding of economic principles and a keen analytical mind. His ability to analyze complex economic data and develop innovative solutions is truly impressive. For example, in his thesis on the impact of inflation on small businesses, Ryan presented a well-researched and thought-provoking analysis that received high praise from the academic community.
Ryan’s exceptional academic record, combined with his outstanding research skills, makes him an excellent candidate for your graduate school internship program. I am confident that he will excel in your program and make valuable contributions to your research projects.
Please do not hesitate to contact me at (617) 495-4567 or spatel@harvard.edu if you need any further information.
Sincerely,
Dr. John Smith
5. Internship Recommendation Letter for Engineering
Mr. James Wilson
Engineering Internship Coordinator
General Electric
Schenectady, NY 12345
November 5, 2023
Dear Mr. Wilson,
I am writing to wholeheartedly recommend Emma Davis for the engineering internship at General Electric. As Emma’s professor and academic advisor, I have had the pleasure of witnessing her exceptional growth and dedication to the field of engineering.
Emma has consistently demonstrated a strong understanding of engineering principles and a keen problem-solving ability. Her ability to design and develop innovative solutions to complex engineering problems is truly impressive. For example, in her final project for Engineering Design, Emma led a team that developed a sustainable water purification system for rural communities, which won first place at the annual Engineering Expo.
Emma’s exceptional technical skills, combined with her outstanding leadership abilities, make her an excellent candidate for your internship program. I am confident that she will excel in your program and make valuable contributions to your team.
Please feel free to contact me at (518) 765-4321 or jwilson@ge.com if you need any further information.
Sincerely,
Dr. Maria Gonzalez
6. Internship Recommendation Letter for Nursing
Ms. Karen White
Nursing Internship Coordinator
Johns Hopkins Hospital
Baltimore, MD 21287
September 25, 2023
Dear Ms. White,
I am delighted to recommend Mia Lee for the nursing internship at Johns Hopkins Hospital. As Mia’s clinical instructor and mentor, I have had the pleasure of witnessing her exceptional growth and dedication to the field of nursing.
Mia has consistently demonstrated a strong understanding of nursing principles and a deep commitment to patient care. Her ability to provide compassionate and effective care, combined with her outstanding clinical skills, makes her an excellent candidate for your internship program. For example, during her clinical rotation at Mercy Hospital, Mia demonstrated exceptional patient assessment skills and developed a care plan that significantly improved the recovery rate of her patients.
Mia’s exceptional clinical skills, combined with her outstanding interpersonal abilities, make her an invaluable asset to any healthcare team. I am confident that she will excel in your program and make valuable contributions to your hospital.
Please do not hesitate to contact me at (410) 955-6789 or kwhite@jhmi.edu if you need any further information.
Sincerely,
Dr. Lisa Nguyen
7. Internship Recommendation Letter for Business Administration
Mr. Robert Harris
Internship Program Director
Goldman Sachs
New York, NY 10080
October 20, 2023
Dear Mr. Harris,
I am writing to wholeheartedly recommend Oliver Green for the business administration internship at Goldman Sachs. As Oliver’s professor and academic advisor, I have had the pleasure of witnessing his exceptional growth and dedication to the field of business administration.
Oliver has consistently demonstrated a strong understanding of business principles and a keen analytical mind. His ability to analyze complex financial data and develop innovative solutions is truly impressive. For example, in his final project for Financial Analysis, Oliver developed a comprehensive financial model that predicted market trends with remarkable accuracy.
Oliver’s exceptional analytical skills, combined with his outstanding leadership abilities, make him an excellent candidate for your internship program. I am confident that he will excel in your program and make valuable contributions to your team.
Please feel free to contact me at (212) 888-9876 or rharris@goldmansachs.com if you need any further information.
Sincerely,
Dr. David Wilson
8. Internship Recommendation Letter for Computer Science
Ms. Sophia Kim
Internship Program Director
Google LLC
Mountain View, CA 94043
November 10, 2023
Dear Ms. Kim,
I am delighted to recommend Benjamin Walker for the computer science internship at Google. As Benjamin’s professor and academic advisor, I have had the pleasure of witnessing his exceptional growth and dedication to the field of computer science.
Benjamin has consistently demonstrated a strong understanding of computer science principles and a keen problem-solving ability. His ability to design and develop innovative software solutions is truly impressive. For example, in his final project for Advanced Software Engineering, Benjamin developed a machine learning algorithm that improved the accuracy of image recognition systems by 15%.
Benjamin’s exceptional technical skills, combined with his outstanding collaborative abilities, make him an excellent candidate for your internship program. I am confident that he will excel in your program and make valuable contributions to your team.
Please do not hesitate to contact me at (650) 123-4567 or skim@google.com if you need any further information.
Sincerely,
Dr. Michael Chen
Conclusion
Crafting a compelling internship recommendation letter is essential for helping candidates stand out in a competitive field. The samples provided above demonstrate how to effectively highlight a candidate’s skills, achievements, and character, ensuring their recommendation letter is both professional and impactful.
By following these examples and tailoring each letter to the specific internship and candidate, you can create a recommendation that truly makes a difference in their career journey. Remember to emphasize specific examples, use strong language, and maintain a professional tone throughout the letter.