Besides the written recommendation you should also ask if you may use their name and phone number if you are asked to do so by a potential employer. Make your request in person . If you are asking for a reference from a professor who hasn't taught you since your freshman or sophomore years, this information is important. Let the Career Planning staff assist you with this. We can provide you with reference forms for faculty and staff.
Forms are also available on our website.
If you are planning to go to graduate school , you will usually have reference forms supplied by each school. This is good insurance. Your plans may be delayed for some reason and you apply to another grad school several years from now. When you need the reference the professor may not be available, due to sabbatical leave or other reasons. With the Career Planning form on file, just advise the graduate school of the situation and ask if you can have your file sent from the Career Planning Office.