Why a goodbye message matters so much to an intern
For an experienced colleague, a leaving message is a kind gesture. For an intern, it's often the first written comment they've ever had on their work. They'll read it again when they're unsure of themselves, before an interview, or while writing their first real job application.
So a good message for an intern does more than wish them luck. It names what they did, what they learnt and what the team liked about working with them. A few specific lines beat a long, generic paragraph every time.
What a good message says
Whether you're writing for the team or just for yourself, build it around three things:
- one specific contribution: a report, a piece of research, a presentation, a client, an idea the team kept;
- one quality you noticed: curiosity, care, confidence when presenting, asking the right questions;
- one wish for what's next: their studies, their first job, the plan they told you about.
Messages from the team
For the group card, the team chat or the goodbye drinks. Replace the parts in square brackets.
Thanks for everything over the last few months, [Name]. You found your place so quickly, and the team won't feel the same without you.
Your work on [project] will keep helping us for a long time. Thank you, and good luck with what comes next!
You arrived with lots of questions and you're leaving with lots of answers, including a few we didn't have. Well done, and thank you.
Your curiosity was catching. Thanks for shaking up our habits so kindly.
We were lucky to have you on the team. We'll be following what you do next with a lot of interest.
Thanks for your good mood, your hard work and your ideas. Come back and see us whenever you like.
You did far more than anyone expects from an intern. Your future employer is lucky.
Thank you for everything, [Name]. Good luck with the rest of your studies, and see you soon.
Messages from a supervisor or mentor
The supervisor followed the internship closely, so their message can be more personal and talk about how the intern grew.
I really enjoyed supporting you during your internship. You've grown a lot, especially in [skill], and you should be proud of that.
I remember your first few days, a bit unsure, and now I see someone who takes the lead. Well done on how far you've come.
Thank you for your trust and your questions, which often made me explain my own work better.
You listened to advice without losing your own way of doing things. That's rare, so hold on to it.
Your end-of-placement presentation was clear and convincing. I hope it's the first of many.
If you ever need advice or a reference, you know where to find me.
You fitted into a very busy team without ever losing heart. Well done, and thank you.
It was a real pleasure to work with someone so motivated. All the best, [Name].
Short messages for the card
For anyone with only a few seconds who still wants to get it right.
For more ideas, our leaving card message generator suggests three messages based on how well you know them and the tone you want.
Thanks for a great internship, [Name], and good luck!
So glad we got to work together. Hope to see you soon!
We'll miss you at coffee time. All the best!
Thanks for your help on [project]. Good luck with everything!
You were a brilliant addition to the team. The best is yet to come.
Thanks for always being so positive. Take care!
Good luck with the next step. You'll be great.
Thank you, [Name]. Come back and tell us how it's going!
If you're the intern: goodbye messages for the team
Send one by email or on the team chat on your last day. Add a memory or a name to make it personal.
Today is my last day. Thank you all for making me so welcome, for your patience and for everything you've taught me. I hope our paths cross again.
A special thank you to [supervisor's name] for all the support, and to each of you for your advice. I'm leaving with much more than I expected when I arrived.
These months with you have shown me I chose the right career. Thank you for trusting me with real work.
I won't forget how welcome you made me feel from day one. Thanks for everything, and let's stay in touch.
Thank you for the proofreading, the explanations and the good humour. Good luck with all the projects you're working on.
Last day, and already lots of good memories. Thank you all, and I hope to see you soon.
Marking an intern's last day
An intern's leaving doesn't need a big party, but a small moment always goes down well: a team lunch, coffee and cake, or a few minutes at the end of the last team meeting. If the team is spread out, an online group leaving card lets everyone write, wherever they are.
For an intern, the most useful gift is often what the team thinks of their work. With a Leaving Pack from Take Your Skills, everyone writes a recommendation in secret, with help from an assistant if they'd like. On the last day, you close the pack: the intern gets every recommendation by email and keeps them on their profile for future applications. It's free, and job title and company are optional when you set it up.
If your intern asks for a more formal letter for a course or a first job, follow our guide to writing a reference for an intern.
Mistakes to avoid
A few slips can spoil a message that means well:
- A generic message you could write to any intern.
- Comments about a difficult start, which belong in their end-of-placement review, not on the card.
- Letting the day pass unnoticed: an intern who leaves without anyone saying goodbye remembers it.
- Promising a job or a reference you can't actually give.