Sunshine State Sue Posted February 18, 2017 Share Posted February 18, 2017 Ds has an interview for an internship next week. They've asked him to bring 2 professional references. The use of the word "professional" has him confused. Without it, he would no doubt provide his basketball coaches as references. They know him best, working with him for 3 years now. Is this appropriate? He could also ask professors. I don't think he's had any professor for more than one semester. I don't know if he has made himself memorable to any of them. During summers, he's worked basketball camps and (2 summers ago) at a local factory. Dh says his profession is student-athlete and therefore coaches are appropriate. Thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettyandbob Posted February 18, 2017 Share Posted February 18, 2017 I'd include the coaches (they should be able speak to work behaviors like organization and leadership), but I'd add at least one place of paid work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanetC Posted February 18, 2017 Share Posted February 18, 2017 Professional references means able to speak to how he is on the job. Did the coach run the basketball camp? Otherwise, it's a character reference, not a professional one. I would have DS talk to the recruiter in detail about the requirements. Lots of college kids don't have much work experience yet and use coaches and professors as references, but that is not what was requested. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bootsie Posted February 18, 2017 Share Posted February 18, 2017 Is the internship related to his major? For example, if he is a finance major seeking an internship with an investment banking firm, they will probably want a reference from a finance (or accounting or something similar) professor. If the internship is more general and they are wanting to see that he will show up for work, have a good work ethic, be teachable, etc. then the coaches would be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted February 18, 2017 Share Posted February 18, 2017 Professional references means able to speak to how he is on the job. Did the coach run the basketball camp? Otherwise, it's a character reference, not a professional one. This. My husband just did a whole day of internship interviews at a university student service center. Any employer/supervisor he has worked under/report to during basketball camps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunshine State Sue Posted February 18, 2017 Author Share Posted February 18, 2017 Did the coach run the basketball camp? Yes. Coaches ran the basketball camp and ds was an employee. There is no recruiter. As far as I can tell, the company has 2 employees. Is the internship related to his major? Yes. His major is mechanical engineering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angela in ohio Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 Yes. His major is mechanical engineering. Then professional references would relate to that. One from a coach whom he worked with at basketball camp would be okay, as a reference to his work ethic, professionalism, etc. (not focused on his athletic ability.). Maybe the other could be from the factory job. If that's not possible, a letter from a professor in his field would be the next best thing, though technically a professional reference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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