Assignment Title: How to Get an Internship with No Experience
Course: CHMN 699 - Internship
Student: Kristine Sage
2022
Professor: Dr. Mary Smith
Liberty University
How to Get an Internship with No Experience
A strong resume full of applicable experience is what leads to new employment. But if
you're still a student who hasn't yet built a solid work history, this experience often comes from
internships. Still, applying to internship programs can be intimidating without credentials or
background experience to highlight or any point of reference to look back upon. In this article,
we discuss why getting an internship with no experience is important and how to do it
successfully.
Why is getting an internship with no experience important?
Frankly, the entire purpose of the internship is to give you that experience. So, just look at
it that way. Pursuing your internship will serve as your introduction to the job hunt. You can use
an internship to learn more about an industry or job that interests you—to decide if it is indeed
for you within the confines of a shorter commitment. Completing an internship allows you to
experience the day-to-day operations of a business or organization, providing you in-depth
knowledge of the types of work environments you may encounter in your chosen career.
Internships also provide insights into the skills, qualifications and training necessary to
enter a certain field. College students may benefit from getting an internship without having
any other experience so that they can decide on a major or certain concentration within their
department. Experiencing a career firsthand helps students discover elements they enjoy about
a job, such as working with children, and parts of a job that may not be suited for them, like
spending much of the workday outdoors.
How to get an internship with no experience
Internships actually exist for the purposes of giving students and new graduates the
opportunity to acquire experience. You should just approach the opportunity that way and see
it not just as a test of a career path but also a test at pursuing it. Here are several steps for
getting an internship with no experience.
1. Decide what careers interest you
Research different career options for the degree program in which you're currently
enrolled. As you learn more, you can decide what your top two to three choices are and look
for internships related to those positions. For example, if you are majoring in engineering, you
can learn more about the different types of engineering professions. Once you determine what
interests you the most, like mechanical engineering and civil engineering, you can apply for
internships in those fields.
2. Choose the type of internship and location you want
Consider what type of internship you would like. Some pay. Some provide class credit.
Others will supply neither or both. Perhaps some will allow you to work on the weekends or are
otherwise particularly flexible. Do your research. You should also think about your own
circumstances. For instance, if you travel to your hometown for summer break, perhaps you
can look for summer internships at home. If you need to complete an internship while enrolled
in classes, you'll probably need to find a position near campus.
3. Keep your GPA high
When applying for an internship with no experience, your coursework can be a significant
factor to those reviewing applications. Your performance in school will speak in the place of any
lacking professional experience.
4. Consult with your career center
Career centers are good resources for students looking for opportunities to develop skills
and find work or internships. Career centers often have relationships with companies and are
aware of open positions, including internships or volunteer roles.
You can also work with your career center to craft a strong cover letter and resume to help
you stand out from other applicants. Even if you don't have work experience, the experts at the
career center can help you discover relevant skills or activities that can translate into qualities
employers are looking for. For example, you may not have a job on your resume, but you coach
a little league baseball team. The career center will help you highlight this role on your resume
to demonstrate leadership, community service and dependability.
5. Check for on-campus opportunities
Look for internships offered by your department or other offices on campus. These
internships are typically designed for students, which means they often work around your class
schedule and are appropriate for those without experience. Finding an internship can feel
daunting, but the goal of this video is to leave you feeling much more confident in your
internship search and interview.
6. Join a university or community group
Joining a group based on your interests or career goals is a good way to network in your
chosen field and discover opportunities. You can find groups on your school's website or social
media pages.
7. Apply early
Research deadlines for the internships that interest you. Applying early may increase your
chances of being chosen for an interview or selected for the position.
8. Develop skills
Even if you don't have specific professional experience, many general skills apply to
numerous careers. Spend some time developing these transferable skills, such as computer
skills, leadership skills and communication skills. Consider these ways to learn or improve
important skills:
Attend a weekend workshop focused on professional skill, like team building or certain
computer software
Join a club that allows you to develop and practice a transferable skill, such as a debate
club or public speaking group
Seek out leadership positions in any groups that you're a part of
Become a tutor to develop your communication skills
9. Volunteer
To gain experience, offer your time and efforts free of charge. Many organizations need
extra help but are limited by their budget. Find businesses related to your major or intended
career, and submit a request to volunteer. You can also volunteer with charitable organizations
to develop skills such as reliability, time management, working with a team and organization.
10. Consider freelancing
You may consider getting experience on your own by freelancing. Post your services on
social media, online job boards and in your school's information center. Without experience,
you may need to reduce your rates for projects or offer creative invoicing, such as payment
after you provide services. This eliminates much of the risk a client may feel hiring you without
experience.
11. Get creative
If a traditional internship opportunity is unlikely, create your own. Speak with your
professors about helping with research studies. Contact businesses in your desired field, even if
they don't have an internship advertised. Be specific about what you can contribute, how many
yours you can work each week and if you are willing to work for course credit instead of
payment.
Consider expanding your search outside of your specific field. For instance, if you are
interested in accounting, search for accounting internships with any company, not just
accounting firms. If you are interested in human resources, any internship that allows you to
work with people and develop communication skills is beneficial.
