Getting an internship while you’re still in university might feel like trying to get hired without a full resume, network, or even knowing what you want yet. But here’s the truth:

Internships aren’t for the perfect student — they’re for the student who tries.

Whether you’re in your first year or final year, internships can open doors. They help you test out careers, gain real-world experience, build confidence, and yes — make your resume look way more legit before graduation. Even better? Some internships turn into full-time jobs.

Let’s break down exactly how to get one — even if you have no experience, no connections, and no clue where to start.

Why You Should Care About Internships Early

University gives you theory. Internships give you proof.

When you intern, you:

• Learn how real companies work

• Get mentored by professionals

• Build skills that aren’t taught in lecture halls

• Get something meaningful to write on your CV

• Discover what you don’t want (which is just as valuable)

Even a 2-month summer internship can make your LinkedIn stand out.

Step 1: Know What You’re Looking For

Before applying to anything, ask yourself:

• What fields interest me right now? (Marketing? Finance? Tech? Policy?)

• Do I want remote or in-person?

• Am I aiming for paid or unpaid?

• What skills do I want to walk away with?

If you’re not sure — that’s okay. Just pick something you're curious about. Internships are for exploration, not lifetime commitment.

Step 2: Build a Student-Friendly Resume (Even With No Experience)

You don’t need a corporate background. Just build a 1-page, clean resume that highlights:

• Education: Your uni, major, GPA (if it’s decent)

• Projects: Class assignments, group work, personal projects

• Part-time jobs or volunteering: Yes, even tutoring or helping at events counts

• Skills: Excel, Canva, Python, research, writing, social media

• Clubs or societies: Leadership roles or competitions? Add them.

Keep it simple, clear, and tailored for each internship (yes, it matters).

Step 3: Start Looking in the Right Places

Internships don’t just show up in your inbox. You need to hunt them down:

• University Career Center – Most unis have a job board or internship office. Use it.

• LinkedIn Jobs – Filter by “internship” and location (or remote).

• AngelList (Wellfound) – Great for startup internships.

• Company Websites – Big companies usually have a “Careers” or “Students” tab.

• Email professors or alumni – Ask if they know of any openings.

• Cold Outreach – Small companies might not advertise internships, but you can offer your help.

Tip: Set alerts on job boards so you don’t miss deadlines.

Step 4: Craft a Real Cover Letter (Don't Copy-Paste)

Most students send generic, boring cover letters. Don't.

Instead, write a short, enthusiastic note that:

• Shows why you're interested in that specific company

• Highlights 1–2 things about you (e.g., "I helped grow my club's Instagram to 3k followers and want to apply that skill in a real setting.")

• Ends with: “I'd love the chance to contribute and learn from your team.”

Keep it to 3 short paragraphs. Don’t overthink it — just sound like a human.

Step 5: Apply — A Lot

Don’t just apply to one “dream internship” and wait. You need volume.

• Set a goal: Apply to 3–5 roles per week

• Track your applications (spreadsheet or Notion)

• Customize your resume/cover slightly for each one

• Follow up if you haven’t heard back in 10–14 days

Internship hunting is like dating — not every one will say yes. That’s normal.