Letter of Recommendation for Internship — Free Template
Internship applicants usually have little work history, so a recommendation from a professor, teacher or part-time employer helps an employer see their potential. This version focuses on work ethic, relevant skills and how quickly the student learns.
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October 15, 2026
Re: Letter of recommendation for [Name of the person you're recommending]
Dear Internship Coordinator,
It is my pleasure to recommend [Name of the person you're recommending] for an internship. [How you know them, and for how long]
[Their key strengths]
One example shows the kind of person [Name of the person you're recommending] is. [A specific example or story]
Based on everything I have seen, I recommend [Name of the person you're recommending] [How strongly you recommend them]. I am confident [Name of the person you're recommending] will bring the same ability, care and commitment to this next step.
Please feel free to contact me at [Your email and phone number] if you would like any more information.
Sincerely,
[Your full name]
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Focus on potential
Internship employers don't expect deep experience. They want to know the student is reliable, eager to learn and able to handle real responsibility. Describe how the student approached coursework, projects or a part-time job, and how quickly they picked up new skills.
Connect at least one strength to the internship's field. If the student is applying to a marketing internship, mention their writing or presentation skills; for a lab, their precision and record keeping.
Keep it short and timely
Internship deadlines move fast and recruiters read many applications. One page with one clear example is ideal.
Ask the student for the posting and their résumé, and confirm whether the letter should be emailed, uploaded or handed to them in a sealed envelope.
Mistakes to avoid
Avoid overstating experience the student doesn't have; internship employers value honesty about where a student is in their development. Don't write a generic letter that could describe any student in your class, and skip unrelated personal details. If you only know the student from one course, say so and focus on what you saw in assignments, labs or discussions.
What to do, step by step
Agree to write it only if you can be positive
A lukewarm recommendation can hurt more than no letter at all. If you don't know the person well enough to be specific and enthusiastic, say so and suggest someone who does.
Ask for the details you need
Get the deadline, where the letter goes, who it should be addressed to and what the opportunity is. A résumé, job posting or program description helps you choose the right strengths to highlight.
Fill in your letter
Answer the questions above. Lead with how you know the person, pick two or three strengths that fit the opportunity, and back them up with one concrete example.
Keep it to one page and proofread it
Most readers skim. Three or four short paragraphs, the person's name spelled correctly and no generic filler will do more than a long letter.
Send it the way the recipient asks
Upload it to the application portal, email it as a PDF or hand a signed copy to the candidate. Keep a copy in case you're asked to write another one later.
What if you don't know the person well enough to write a strong letter?
It's fine to say no. A short, honest reply such as "I don't think I know your work well enough to write the strong letter you deserve" is kinder than a vague recommendation that admissions officers or hiring managers will read as a warning sign.
If you're willing but unsure what to say, ask the person for a quick list of things you worked on together, the qualities they'd like you to speak to and any accomplishments you may not know about. Many strong letters start from a conversation like this.
If you can only speak to part of their experience, write about that part honestly and specifically. A narrow letter with a real example is usually more useful than a broad one full of general praise.
Example letter of recommendation for internship
A filled-in sample with made-up details, so you can see the finished result.
Dr. Samuel Price
Associate Professor of Environmental Science, Lakewood College
sprice@lakewood.edu, (555) 680-1129
October 5, 2026
Re: Letter of recommendation for Emily Rodriguez
Dear Internship Coordinator,
It is my pleasure to recommend Emily Rodriguez for an internship. Emily was a student in two of my courses and has worked as a research assistant in my water quality lab for the past year.
Emily is careful, curious and quick to learn. She mastered our lab's sampling and testing procedures in a few weeks, keeps meticulous records and asks thoughtful questions about what our results mean for the communities we study.
One example shows the kind of person Emily Rodriguez is. Last summer Emily noticed an unusual pattern in our stream data that the rest of the team had overlooked. She checked her work, traced the pattern to a faulty sensor and helped set up a new calibration schedule that has kept our data reliable ever since.
Based on everything I have seen, I recommend Emily Rodriguez without reservation. I am confident Emily Rodriguez will bring the same ability, care and commitment to this next step.
Please feel free to contact me at sprice@lakewood.edu, (555) 680-1129 if you would like any more information.
Sincerely,
Dr. Samuel Price
Associate Professor of Environmental Science, Lakewood College
Frequently asked questions
Who should write an internship recommendation?
A professor in the student's field, an academic advisor, a research supervisor or a manager from a part-time job are all good choices. The best writer is someone who has seen the student work on something real.
Can a high school teacher write one for a college internship?
It's possible, especially for first-year college students, but a college professor or supervisor is usually stronger. If you use a high school reference, choose someone who knows the student well.
Should I mention the student's GPA?
Only if the student asks and it's strong. Employers can request a transcript if they need it, so your letter is better spent on skills and character.
What if the internship is unpaid or part of a course?
The letter works the same way. Describe the student's readiness for the responsibilities involved and their ability to work independently.
What should a letter of recommendation include?
Explain who you are and how you know the candidate, including how long. Then describe two or three specific strengths relevant to the opportunity, support them with a concrete example, and close with a clear statement of your recommendation and your contact details so the reader can follow up.
How long should a letter of recommendation be?
Usually one page, or roughly 300 to 500 words. Admissions committees and hiring managers read many letters, so a focused letter with one strong example is more effective than a long one. Some graduate programs expect a little more detail, so check any instructions you've been given.
FairLetter is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Letters are templates you customize and send yourself.