How to Get an Internship With No Experience
You can absolutely get an internship with no experience — internships exist precisely for people who don't have any yet. The trick is to target smaller companies, email them directly, and tie one real thing you've done (a class project, a personal build, a club) to what they do.
Why "no experience" isn't the problem you think
Big companies with formal programs get thousands of applicants and can afford to filter hard. Smaller companies and startups — where most internships actually are — care far more about attitude and initiative than a polished resume. When you email them directly, you're not competing against a pile of applications; you're a motivated student who took the initiative to reach out.
What to use instead of experience
- Coursework and class projects — describe something specific you built or analyzed.
- Personal projects — a website, an app, a spreadsheet model, a zine, a small business.
- Clubs and volunteering — leadership, organizing, real responsibility.
- Self-taught skills — name the tools and what you made with them.
The approach that works with zero experience
- Make a list of 30–50 smaller companies in a field you like.
- Email each one directly, referencing one real thing you've done.
- Be honest that you're early, and emphasize you'll work hard and learn fast.
- Attach a simple resume (coursework + projects is enough) and follow up once.
FirstInternships helps first-time interns most: it finds the smaller companies, writes an honest, personal email from your background, and sends it from your Gmail. Free to start.
Land your first one →Frequently asked questions
Can you get an internship with no experience?
Yes. Most internships are designed for people without experience. Target smaller companies, reach out by email, and connect one real thing you've done — a class project, a personal build, a club role — to what the company does. Initiative matters more than a resume full of past jobs.
What if I have nothing to put on my resume?
Use coursework, personal projects, volunteer work, clubs, and self-taught skills. A weekend project you built yourself is often more compelling to a small company than a generic list of responsibilities.
Do internships require previous internships?
No. That's a myth reinforced by job-board postings. Reaching out directly to smaller companies bypasses rigid 'requirements' — they hire the student who shows genuine interest and effort.