5 answers
dhee
Student
Gampaha, Western Province, Sri Lanka
1
Question
Asked
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what should i do don’t have any professional references to my internship application?
what should i do don’t have any professional references to my internship application.
I'm a senior at uni studying law, and I recently began looking for internships. (Late, I know.) Actually i'm not a very socialize person and lack of contacts. As I began to build my resume, I realized I don't have any significant references; most of my classes have been fairly large, and I haven't interacted with my professors much. Then what should i do don’t have any professional references to my internship application.Does anyone know how I could get around this?
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5 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1769
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Dhee professor's are NOT your only option for professional references as a professional reference is someone who can speak to your work ethic, skills, and/or achievements. For example COACHES, EMPLOYERS, FRIENDS NEIGHBORS, ADVISORS and PASTORS make excellent professional reference candidates. By using people who can give specific examples of your work, credentials and reliability, you are giving your potential new employer great reasons to hire you as an intern.
1️⃣ PREVIOUS MANAGER OR EMPLOYER
If you performed well in your former job, you might ask your previous employer or manager for a reference. As you were their employee, they're aware of your expertise, work ethic, and other skills you can bring to the role. They may also highlight examples from your performance and explain your overall value to the team and the company. In addition, using your former employers or managers as references may show your potential employer that you have a healthy relationship with your supervisors.
2️⃣ COLLEAGUE OR PEER
As an alternative to your supervisors and former employer, you can ask a peer or colleague to attest to your abilities and skills. You can also consider asking your colleagues for references if you aren't on good terms with your supervisors or employer. Asking colleagues who you've collaborated with on past projects is preferable to work friends. This is because work friends may not provide the objective and professional reference you need.
3️⃣ ACADEMIC ADVISOR OR COUNSELLOR
Your school counsellor or academic advisor may be suitable character and academic references. You can consider using them as your references if you spent enough time with them or if they influenced your decision to build a career in your chosen field. In addition, including your school counsellor or academic advisor as references allows them to highlight your growth over time.
4️⃣ NEIGHBORS OR FRIENDS
You can consider asking a neighbor to attest to your character and work ethic. Highlighting they know you for over 20 years may impress your potential employer and distinguish you from other candidates applying for a role. If you did menial or odd jobs during school breaks, you can consider asking those watched you grow up to be your references. A reference with whom you share a history can attest to your consistent work ethic and dedication.
5️⃣ COACHES AND MENTORS
If you don't have enough references, you can consider using a mentor or coach you maintained contact with over the years as a reference. Although they may not be ideal for professional references, coaches and mentors can be excellent character references to help provide clarity to your merit as an individual.
1️⃣ PREVIOUS MANAGER OR EMPLOYER
If you performed well in your former job, you might ask your previous employer or manager for a reference. As you were their employee, they're aware of your expertise, work ethic, and other skills you can bring to the role. They may also highlight examples from your performance and explain your overall value to the team and the company. In addition, using your former employers or managers as references may show your potential employer that you have a healthy relationship with your supervisors.
2️⃣ COLLEAGUE OR PEER
As an alternative to your supervisors and former employer, you can ask a peer or colleague to attest to your abilities and skills. You can also consider asking your colleagues for references if you aren't on good terms with your supervisors or employer. Asking colleagues who you've collaborated with on past projects is preferable to work friends. This is because work friends may not provide the objective and professional reference you need.
3️⃣ ACADEMIC ADVISOR OR COUNSELLOR
Your school counsellor or academic advisor may be suitable character and academic references. You can consider using them as your references if you spent enough time with them or if they influenced your decision to build a career in your chosen field. In addition, including your school counsellor or academic advisor as references allows them to highlight your growth over time.
4️⃣ NEIGHBORS OR FRIENDS
You can consider asking a neighbor to attest to your character and work ethic. Highlighting they know you for over 20 years may impress your potential employer and distinguish you from other candidates applying for a role. If you did menial or odd jobs during school breaks, you can consider asking those watched you grow up to be your references. A reference with whom you share a history can attest to your consistent work ethic and dedication.
5️⃣ COACHES AND MENTORS
If you don't have enough references, you can consider using a mentor or coach you maintained contact with over the years as a reference. Although they may not be ideal for professional references, coaches and mentors can be excellent character references to help provide clarity to your merit as an individual.
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
896
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hey Dhee!
First off, don’t stress too much—this is a common situation, and there are definitely ways to work around it. Here are a few options to help you navigate the reference issue:
1. Use Academic References – Even if you haven't built strong relationships with professors, you can still reach out to one whose class you did well in. Send them an email explaining your situation and remind them of your performance or participation in their class. Many professors understand that students applying for their first internship might not have professional references yet.
2. Consider Personal or Character References – If you’ve done any volunteer work, been part of a student organization, or even helped out in a leadership role (like a club, debate team, or moot court), you can ask a mentor, advisor, or even a senior student who has worked with you closely.
3. Use a Previous Employer (Even for a Non-Law Job) – If you've had any job, even if it wasn’t law-related (like retail, tutoring, or freelance work), your manager or supervisor can vouch for your work ethic, reliability, and professionalism.
4. Leverage Networking Now – It’s never too late to start networking! Try attending law school events, workshops, or even reaching out to alumni on LinkedIn. Some professionals are open to mentoring students and might be willing to vouch for you in the future.
5. Explain Your Situation in Your Cover Letter – If references are required, and you truly don’t have any, you can briefly mention in your cover letter that while you don’t have professional references yet, you’re eager to learn and gain experience. Then, make sure to highlight your skills, academic achievements, and any relevant coursework.
The key is to show employers that you’re capable and motivated, even if you don’t have a long list of references. You’ve got this!
Best wishes!
First off, don’t stress too much—this is a common situation, and there are definitely ways to work around it. Here are a few options to help you navigate the reference issue:
1. Use Academic References – Even if you haven't built strong relationships with professors, you can still reach out to one whose class you did well in. Send them an email explaining your situation and remind them of your performance or participation in their class. Many professors understand that students applying for their first internship might not have professional references yet.
2. Consider Personal or Character References – If you’ve done any volunteer work, been part of a student organization, or even helped out in a leadership role (like a club, debate team, or moot court), you can ask a mentor, advisor, or even a senior student who has worked with you closely.
3. Use a Previous Employer (Even for a Non-Law Job) – If you've had any job, even if it wasn’t law-related (like retail, tutoring, or freelance work), your manager or supervisor can vouch for your work ethic, reliability, and professionalism.
4. Leverage Networking Now – It’s never too late to start networking! Try attending law school events, workshops, or even reaching out to alumni on LinkedIn. Some professionals are open to mentoring students and might be willing to vouch for you in the future.
5. Explain Your Situation in Your Cover Letter – If references are required, and you truly don’t have any, you can briefly mention in your cover letter that while you don’t have professional references yet, you’re eager to learn and gain experience. Then, make sure to highlight your skills, academic achievements, and any relevant coursework.
The key is to show employers that you’re capable and motivated, even if you don’t have a long list of references. You’ve got this!
Best wishes!
Karin P.
Lecturer, Student Advisor
458
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Dhee,
At your age/station in life, it's quite normal not yet to have an impressive list of references. You have been studying, so appropriate references are your professors and academic advisors. Even if you were in big classes, they can say something about you. Most professors would know your situation and be nice about it.
Now, how to choose your references:
People who will remember you, are better than people who have to look you up on a class list. Therefore, professors where you did substantial work, e.g. a project or presentation are more likely to remember you and have something specific to tell than professors where you just attended lectures.
People who have known you for longer are better than people who met you recently. Ever letter starts out "I have known xx since zz in my capacity as lecturer/department head/dean". It gives the letter more weight if they have known you for years.
Professors where you did well are better than professors where you struggled. Having said that, a professor who can talk about your grit and determination to get good in something that you struggled with initially, is also valuable.
Status matters. A well-known professor or your department head counts for more than a student assistant.
Were you a teaching assistant or research assistant at some point? That's a good reference.
If you had any jobs or volunteer work, their reference can be valuable even if they were not in your field of studies.
Please, no friends, parents, shop keepers or pastors as references. You need professional references.
Ask your professors if they know of any internships. Someone might just be able to place you or at least make a contact.
I hope this helps! Good luck! You got this!
KP
At your age/station in life, it's quite normal not yet to have an impressive list of references. You have been studying, so appropriate references are your professors and academic advisors. Even if you were in big classes, they can say something about you. Most professors would know your situation and be nice about it.
Now, how to choose your references:
People who will remember you, are better than people who have to look you up on a class list. Therefore, professors where you did substantial work, e.g. a project or presentation are more likely to remember you and have something specific to tell than professors where you just attended lectures.
People who have known you for longer are better than people who met you recently. Ever letter starts out "I have known xx since zz in my capacity as lecturer/department head/dean". It gives the letter more weight if they have known you for years.
Professors where you did well are better than professors where you struggled. Having said that, a professor who can talk about your grit and determination to get good in something that you struggled with initially, is also valuable.
Status matters. A well-known professor or your department head counts for more than a student assistant.
Were you a teaching assistant or research assistant at some point? That's a good reference.
If you had any jobs or volunteer work, their reference can be valuable even if they were not in your field of studies.
Please, no friends, parents, shop keepers or pastors as references. You need professional references.
Ask your professors if they know of any internships. Someone might just be able to place you or at least make a contact.
I hope this helps! Good luck! You got this!
KP
Dr H
Dr. H's Research
1326
Answers
Australia
Updated
Dr’s Answer
Hey Dhee,
No worries—you’re not alone in this situation! Here’s how you can handle the lack of professional references in a fun and practical way to keep you engaged obviously. But mostly remeber stay positive always no matter what, you can achieve it one way or another.
1. Use Academic References Creatively
Even if you haven’t interacted much with professors, you can still reach out to one whose class you did well in. Send them a short, polite email reminding them of the course and asking if they’d be willing to provide a reference.
Teaching assistants (TAs) or lecturers can also work as references.
2. Work with What You Have
Have you done any group projects, student club activities, or research work? A teammate or club leader could vouch for your skills and reliability.
If you’ve done volunteer work, ask a supervisor from there.
3. Build Quick References
If time allows, try joining a short-term project, a legal aid clinic, or even a moot court. It doesn’t have to be big—just enough for someone to see your skills.
4. Focus on a Strong Cover Letter
If you don’t have references, make your cover letter stand out! Show them why they should take a chance on you. Highlight your skills, dedication, and passion for law.
5. Be Honest, but Strategic
If asked directly about references, you can say, “I’m still in the early stages of building my professional network, but I can provide academic references or showcase my work ethic through my projects.”
6. Make It Funny (But Smart)
If you want to add a bit of humor, you could say:
"While I may not have a long list of references, I do have a strong work ethic, an eagerness to learn, and an excellent ability to Google case law at lightning speed!"
Don’t stress too much! Many internships understand students are just starting out. Just focus on showcasing your skills and enthusiasm. You got this!
Believe in yourself Dhee because I know you can make it life is all about challenges and overcome onto the opportunities.
No worries—you’re not alone in this situation! Here’s how you can handle the lack of professional references in a fun and practical way to keep you engaged obviously. But mostly remeber stay positive always no matter what, you can achieve it one way or another.
1. Use Academic References Creatively
Even if you haven’t interacted much with professors, you can still reach out to one whose class you did well in. Send them a short, polite email reminding them of the course and asking if they’d be willing to provide a reference.
Teaching assistants (TAs) or lecturers can also work as references.
2. Work with What You Have
Have you done any group projects, student club activities, or research work? A teammate or club leader could vouch for your skills and reliability.
If you’ve done volunteer work, ask a supervisor from there.
3. Build Quick References
If time allows, try joining a short-term project, a legal aid clinic, or even a moot court. It doesn’t have to be big—just enough for someone to see your skills.
4. Focus on a Strong Cover Letter
If you don’t have references, make your cover letter stand out! Show them why they should take a chance on you. Highlight your skills, dedication, and passion for law.
5. Be Honest, but Strategic
If asked directly about references, you can say, “I’m still in the early stages of building my professional network, but I can provide academic references or showcase my work ethic through my projects.”
6. Make It Funny (But Smart)
If you want to add a bit of humor, you could say:
"While I may not have a long list of references, I do have a strong work ethic, an eagerness to learn, and an excellent ability to Google case law at lightning speed!"
Don’t stress too much! Many internships understand students are just starting out. Just focus on showcasing your skills and enthusiasm. You got this!
Believe in yourself Dhee because I know you can make it life is all about challenges and overcome onto the opportunities.
Stephanie Watson Haynes
Talent Acquisition
3
Answers
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Updated
Stephanie’s Answer
Use any and all of your volunteer work and where the volunteer work occurred as a reference. Mostly all volunteer sites require their volunteers to sign-in and some may require you to sign out. Your volunteer participation most likely can be verified. Additionally, you can also use your extracurricular school activities (Teacher Names-your reference) as volunteer work such as theater, marching band, chorus and sports activities. Finally, should you participate in any community group, (gardening, biking, hiking, rowing, bird watching, etc.) these various clubs can also be used as a reference since they all will have someone responsible for leading the activity.
Thank you so much, Stephanie!
dhee