Question about leaving an internship.

[hypn0tik]

My internship is over tomorrow and I had a few questions I would like to ask seeing as how this is my first 'real' job.

1) Is it customary to ask for a letter of recommendation or is it simply enough to let my supervisor know that I might use him as a reference in future scholarship or job applications?

2) Should I write a thank-you letter to my supervisor for hiring me and letting me work for him?

3) Anything in particular I should/shouldn't say on my way out? Anything I should or shouldn't ask for?

Hopefully someone can enlighten me.

Edit: I seem to be getting a few different opinions about letters. I've added a poll.

Edit 2: More poll.

 

[Siva]

I was thinking of getting my boss a gift... I need to remember to do that.

 

[hypn0tik]

Originally posted by: Siva
I was thinking of getting my boss a gift... I need to remember to do that.

Not a bad idea. If you don't mind me asking, what were you thinking of? Price range?

 

[Siva]

Originally posted by: hypn0tik

Originally posted by: Siva
I was thinking of getting my boss a gift... I need to remember to do that.

Not a bad idea. If you don't mind me asking, what were you thinking of? Price range?

Well my boss loves music and I know there's a nice music shop in Princeton which is where I work. I was gonna get him a $30 gift certificate so he can buy some CDs or something.

 

[Ipno]

1) Its pretty much understood that you will, but letting him know is a nice touch
2) Can't hurt
3) Don't say "SO LONG SUCKERS!" on your way out.

 

[CptObvious]

At both places I've interned at, the supervisor offered to write me a letter when I was leaving. But it wouldn't hurt to ask, especially if you've been there a while/gained a good rapport with the place. Thank you letters are a good idea, or even just an e-mail. I don't know about gifts though, unless you've become personal friends with the supervisor.

 

[hypn0tik]

Originally posted by: Ipno
1) Its pretty much understood that you will, but letting him know is a nice touch
2) Can't hurt
3) Don't say "SO LONG SUCKERS!" on your way out.

1) Alright. Should I ask him to write up a letter of recommendation though or is that a bit much?
2) Agreed.
3) I wasn't planning on it.

-----------------------------

Originally posted by: CptObvious
At both places I've interned at, the supervisor offered to write me a letter when I was leaving. But it wouldn't hurt to ask, especially if you've been there a while/gained a good rapport with the place. Thank you letters are a good idea, or even just an e-mail. I don't know about gifts though, unless you've become personal friends with the supervisor.

Well, I have been there for 4 months and everyone I've worked with or some into contact with seemed to like me. The problem is though that my boss is busy today and tomorrow so he might not get a chance to do it before I leave. I have no problem with him mailing me a few copies though.

I'm still undecided about getting him a gift, but I'm not going to rule out the option entirely.

 

[Siva]

Originally posted by: CptObvious
At both places I've interned at, the supervisor offered to write me a letter when I was leaving. But it wouldn't hurt to ask, especially if you've been there a while/gained a good rapport with the place. Thank you letters are a good idea, or even just an e-mail. I don't know about gifts though, unless you've become personal friends with the supervisor.

My job is pretty informal and my supervisor is one of 4 people I interact with. He's hardly a big boss here and I'm pretty sure his job is pretty thankless even though he does a lot of the most important work here. I figure it wouldn't be inappropriate for me to get him a little something as a thank you for all the help he gave me this summer or even just for a thanks for the opportunity to work at a decent intership.

 

[Ipno]

As far as a letter of recommendation, really depends on your industry. In the IT industry it's not really done as far as I can tell. I've had 6 interns and none of them asked for one and all of them managed to get good jobs later.

 

[hypn0tik]

Originally posted by: Ipno
As far as a letter of recommendation, really depends on your industry. In the IT industry it's not really done as far as I can tell. I've had 6 interns and none of them asked for one and all of them managed to get good jobs later.

I'm taking EE in school but I'm working for a chemical company. I'm under the impression that having a letter of reference is good to have even if it's not necessary. I could be completely wrong though.

Edit: Let me rephrase that. I don't see how it could hurt me to have a letter of recommendation/reference.

 

[SaturnX]

Originally posted by: hypn0tik
My internship is over tomorrow and I had a few questions I would like to ask seeing as how this is my first 'real' job.

1) Is it customary to ask for a letter of recommendation or is it simply enough to let my supervisor know that I might use him as a reference in future scholarship or job applications?

2) Should I write a thank-you letter to my supervisor for hiring me and letting me work for him?

3) Anything in particular I should/shouldn't say on my way out? Anything I should or shouldn't ask for?

Hopefully someone can enlighten me.

1. I've never asked for one on any of my co-op jobs got one from my last employer though, didn't even ask for it. Also I believe there's some legal issues with letters of recomendations brewing up in Canada, something about privacy ... at least that's what my last job told me as the HR department didn't condone the issuing of Letters of Recommendation.

Besides IMO, they're somewhat useless, it's your skills and who you know that matter, not a piece of paper saying you did a good job.

2. Never done it on any of my co-op terms, but always expressed thanks and such in person by sitting down and talking with them on my last / second-last day there.

3. I just thank the people i worked with, wish them all the best and head out.

I'm about to finish up another co-op work term right now, and the same will usually happen. I mean they know that you're only temporary and a student, it's not like you were some full time employee who's worked there for the last 25 years or something.

But yeah, if you got any other questions PM me, I've done the co-op thing for a several jobs now.

--Mark

EDIT: Oh yeah I'm in EE.

 

[Ipno]

Can't hurt at all. I was just saying in my experience I've never done it, but EE is a bit different so there you have it.

 

[hypn0tik]

Added a poll to the OP.

 

[hypn0tik]

Originally posted by: SaturnX

Originally posted by: hypn0tik
My internship is over tomorrow and I had a few questions I would like to ask seeing as how this is my first 'real' job.

1) Is it customary to ask for a letter of recommendation or is it simply enough to let my supervisor know that I might use him as a reference in future scholarship or job applications?

2) Should I write a thank-you letter to my supervisor for hiring me and letting me work for him?

3) Anything in particular I should/shouldn't say on my way out? Anything I should or shouldn't ask for?

Hopefully someone can enlighten me.

1. I've never asked for one on any of my co-op jobs got one from my last employer though, didn't even ask for it. Also I believe there's some legal issues with letters of recomendations brewing up in Canada, something about privacy ... at least that's what my last job told me as the HR department didn't condone the issuing of Letters of Recommendation.

Besides IMO, they're somewhat useless, it's your skills and who you know that matter, not a piece of paper saying you did a good job.

2. Never done it on any of my co-op terms, but always expressed thanks and such in person by sitting down and talking with them on my last / second-last day there.

3. I just thank the people i worked with, wish them all the best and head out.

I'm about to finish up another co-op work term right now, and the same will usually happen. I mean they know that you're only temporary and a student, it's not like you were some full time employee who's worked there for the last 25 years or something.

But yeah, if you got any other questions PM me, I've done the co-op thing for a several jobs now.

--Mark

EDIT: Oh yeah I'm in EE.

1) Well, I've had other jobs before but they were in retail and pretty much useless so I didn't even bother asking. This is a bit different though. I added a poll incase you didn't check it out yet.

2) Well yes, I did plan on thanking the people I worked and came into contact with. I was referring to maybe a week later (similar to sending a thank you letter after an interview).

 

[mitmot]

1) dont ask for it now, just ask him if its okay to use him as a reference
2) i gave my boss a card and an itunes gift card.
3) say kthxbye?

 

[Stuxnet]

If you're a half-decent worker, there wouldn't be any harm in asking. Just say "I'd like to ask you for a letter of recommendation as well as your permission to use you as a supervisory reference in the future. Is there anything you can think of that I should work on and improve? What did you feel were my strengths and weaknesses?"

A good supervisor will admire and appreciate these questions and even stroke their ego a little bit, all while sealing a good deal for you. Just be suave about it.

[edit]

Don't send a gift... that's cheesy and would probably be construed as sucking up. Send a letter AFTER you get your letter of recommendation as a nice gesture.

 

[Nerva]

rec letters are useless

 

[hypn0tik]

Bump.

 

[crisscross]

I work in Marketing, i not only got letters from my superiors but also some of the vendors i had business relationships with. If you ever have a client facing role, try to get letters from them as well, helps tremendously.