The right way to end your internship.
Saying goodbye using Handwritten note, handshake, and emails + Templets and example
Hi, Ahmed here! each week I share actionable ideas about studying strategies, college life stories, and job search advice for students and fresh graduates.
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Expected reading time: 5 minutes.
Hope you enjoy it.
First off —Congrats on your internship this is just the first of many steps in your career and you have done great so far. You should by now have gained experience in that field, and built new relations, and you might be on the verge of getting a full-time offer.
While most of this came from the work and time you invested in the internship, you wouldn’t be able to do so much without the help of your team and supervisors.
That’s why you have to thank them.
They also invested their time, knowledge, and expertise in guiding you during your internship. They willingly share their experiences and provide insights to help you develop both professionally and personally.
Expressing gratitude is a way to recognize and appreciate their efforts in helping you. In addition, it strengthens your relationship with them and hopefully, you keep nurturing this relationship moving forward.
Having said that, what are the best ways to do so?
1. Hand Written Note
Last year, on my last day at work, one of my colleagues gave me an envelope with a note.
It was a thank you note. I was happy at that time that someone appreciated what I was doing there for that past year.
I still remember the note not only because It was personalized to me but also because it made me feel appreciated and the time and effort I spent there wasn’t for nothing.
This reminds me of a quote from Maya Angelou.
“At the end of the day people won’t remember what you said or did, they will remember how you made them feel.”
So never underestimate the power of a thoughtful handwritten note. If I sold you the idea of writing one, the next question would be what should you write on them, right?
To do so you have to ask yourself some questions.
What were the most valuable lessons or skills he taught you?
What is the one thing that you remember them doing for you? (Help you writing an essay, you messed up on a project and they were there to help you, etc.)
What specific instances can you recall where they went above and beyond to help you succeed?
How did working with them affect or change your perception of the industry or the field?
What feedback did they give you that impacted how you approach your internship and career?
What are the things they did o help you fit into the culture and the team?
While asking yourself, remember that there’s no right or wrong. You just have to be yourself and be genuine.
2. A Good Handshake.
For some of you that find the note and writing not your thing. A classic act that should never go out of style is expressing gratitude through a firm, genuine handshake.
It’ll leave a good impression on you because you went there personally to thank them. That alone would show them how sincere and genuine you are about what they did for you.
If you don’t feel knowing what to say here is a prompt to help you think about what to say. Here’s a template you can get inspiration from:
It’s been a pleasure watching you [Action regard your intern, e.g. write, edit, prospect, etc.] in action and how you [Action similar to the first one]. I’m still learning but you’ve provided the foundation for me. I’m looking froward to apply what I’ve learned in my next step of my career. Thank you, and I truly appreciate everything you’ve done.
Example of the template.
It’s been a pleasure watching the prospecting and negotiation process in action and how you close new clients. I’m still learning but you’ve provided the foundation for me. I’m looking froward to apply what I’ve learned in my next step of my career. Thank you, and I truly appreciate everything you’ve done.
Again, remember you don’t have to stick to the template. Use it as an inspiration to start the conversation.
3. Send an Email
I’m a person who appreciates and love in-person interaction but if for any reason you can’t go with the above two, you can send an email.
Emails are a professional and good way to thank your team and supervisors but you have to do it right.
Sending generic mass emails will seem non-genuine and won’t cut it. When you send emails you’ve to be specific and only to the people that you're truly thankful to.
The email should be personalized and genuine to every person. I know how much time it takes to write just one email, so I prepared for you a template to use for inspiration.
Hi [Name],
Next Monday is my last day at [Company Name]. I wanted to thank you for everything you’ve done for me. I grow both professionally and personally thanks to you and the whole team and truly I can’t thank you enough.
Your constant [Feedback, mentorship, or advice] about [Action or task related to your intern] made me [Learned something, changed perspective on a task or action, etc.] and I’ll keep everything you said on mind while working thought the next steps in my career.
I hope we can stay on touch and if any opportunity came similar to my internship role at [Company Name], I would love apply and work with the team again.
Once again, thanks for the incredible experience and I wish you and the team the best.
P.S. I’ll miss our Sunday breakfast from [Name of a restaurant]. Next time we meet the sandwiches are on me!
Best,
[Your Name]
This template includes
Many ways to personalize the message and make it genuine.
Personal touch at the end of the email.
Call to action for any further opportunity.
As I said before, you don’t have to stick to the email. Feel free to change it or completely write what you think is best for you.
That’s it! Thank you for sticking to the end. 👋
Sincerely,
Ahmed Amin
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