How to Get Your First Internship with No Experience (2026)

The paradox of getting your first internship is brutal: companies want experience, but you need an internship to get experience. The good news is that every professional you admire was once in exactly your position. Thousands of students with zero work experience land competitive internships every year. They do it by building the right materials, leveraging the right channels, and starting earlier than their peers. Here is the playbook.

Start Building Before You Start Applying

If you have six months before internship applications open, use that time to create things you can point to. You do not need professional experience — you need evidence that you can do useful work.

• For tech roles: Build 2-3 portfolio projects and host them on GitHub. A personal website, a functional web app, and a data analysis project give you enough to fill a resume and discuss in interviews.
• For finance roles: Join an investment club, compete in a stock pitch or case competition, and write a market analysis that demonstrates your thinking.
• For marketing roles: Run a social media account for a club, write blog posts, or create a mock marketing campaign for a brand you admire.
• For any role: Volunteer with a local organization in a capacity that uses professional skills. Managing a nonprofit's event, redesigning their website, or organizing their data all become resume material.

Leverage Your University's Career Center

Your university career center is the most underused resource on campus. Most students visit it zero times before graduation. Those who use it have a significant advantage.

• Resume reviews — Career counselors have seen thousands of student resumes and know what works for specific industries. Get at least two reviews before you start applying.
• Mock interviews — Many career centers offer practice interviews with feedback. This alone puts you ahead of most first-time applicants. Supplement with AI-powered practice on BriefRoom for unlimited reps.
• Employer connections — Career centers maintain relationships with companies that specifically recruit from your school. Ask which employers hire freshmen and sophomores.
• Job boards — Your university's job board often has postings from local companies that prefer to hire from the school. These have less competition than national postings on LinkedIn or Handshake.
• Alumni network access — Career centers can often connect you with alumni in your target industry. An introduction from a career counselor carries more weight than a cold message.

Networking When You Know Nobody

Networking feels awkward when you are a student with nothing to offer. But the dynamic is different than you think — most professionals remember what it was like to be in your position and are willing to help. The key is making it easy for them.

Cold Emails That Get Responses

Cold emails work when they are short, specific, and ask for something small. A good template: introduce yourself in one sentence, mention a specific connection point (same university, same hometown, you read their blog post), and ask a single question or request a 15-minute call. Keep the entire email under 100 words.

LinkedIn Optimization

• Headline: "[Major] Student at [University] | Interested in [Industry/Role]" — not "Aspiring professional seeking opportunities."
• About section: Two to three sentences about what you study, what you are interested in, and what you are looking for. Be specific.
• Connect with purpose: When sending connection requests, always include a note explaining why. "Hi [Name], I'm a sophomore studying finance at [University] and I'm interested in learning more about your work in equity research at [Company]" is vastly better than the default connection message.

Career Fairs

Career fairs are not just for seniors. Attend as a freshman or sophomore to practice your elevator pitch, learn which companies recruit at your school, and make initial contacts. Most companies do not expect freshmen to apply on the spot — they are building a pipeline. See our career fair elevator pitch guide for how to make a strong impression.

Where to Find First Internships

Do not limit your search to FAANG and Fortune 500 companies. Your first internship is about getting experience, building skills, and having something for your resume. Expand your search.

• Startups — Early-stage companies are more willing to take a chance on students with no experience because they value energy and willingness to learn. You will also get broader exposure to different functions.
• Local businesses — Small and mid-size companies in your area often have fewer applicants and offer more personalized mentorship.
• Nonprofit organizations — Nonprofits need help with technology, marketing, finance, and operations. They may not have formal internship programs, but many will create one if you propose it.
• University departments — Research labs, IT departments, admissions offices, and academic departments hire student workers. These roles build real skills and are easier to land.
• Freshman-specific programs — Google STEP, Microsoft Explore, Meta University, and several bank diversity programs specifically target first- and second-year students with limited experience.