How to set up recommendations?

I am going to make an assumption that you are an undergraduate looking to build academic connections to obtain recommendations for internships. If this is the case, I advise that you connect with a professor that you know you will take more than one course from. This way the professor can speak to his knowledge of you beyond a single academic encounter. Actively participate in discussions and be vocal whether it is face-to-face or online. If your degree program is set up in such a way that you only encounter professors once then I recommend that you approach a professor for a teaching or research assistant position. These opportunities will give you a better understanding of what happens behind the scenes as well as build your relationship with your professor. Also note that most situations where you need recommendations will require on average three letters.

Anyone who is familiar with the work that you do would be good to ask for a recommendation. This may include the work you do in an academic or volunteer setting.