Can You Get an Internship as a Freshman?

You don’t need to wait until junior year to get an internship, even if it might feel like everyone says you should. That idea is one of the most common myths you’ll hear in college. The truth is, many students start gaining experience much earlier, and you can too.

Some major companies expect freshmen to apply. Some of the internship programs at Google, Microsoft, and Bank of America are designed specifically for first-year students. These opportunities focus less on what you already know and more on your potential.

You’re not alone in starting early. According to data from Brooklyn College, about 48% of students who complete internships do so before their junior year. Nearly half of the students are already building experience while they’re still figuring things out.

What employers really care about isn’t whether or not you’ve taken advanced classes yet. They look for initiative, curiosity, and a willingness to learn. If you show that you’re motivated and open to new experiences, you can stand out, even without a long resume.

Starting early gives you something just as important as experience: clarity. When you try an internship as a freshman, you get a glimpse of what a career path actually looks like. You might discover something you enjoy, or realize something isn’t for you. Either way, you’re learning before you commit fully to a major or career direction.

Instead of waiting, make the most of your time as a freshman. You’re allowed to start exploring your interests early and grow a career from there.

You might be surprised by how many well-known companies offer internships just for first-year students. You don’t need advanced classes or a packed resume to get started because these programs are built for where you are right now.

You can start by looking into options like these:

The Google STEP (Student Training in Engineering Program) is a 12-week paid internship for first- and second-year computer science students. You focus on learning, mentorship, and hands-on experience, and not perfection.

The Microsoft Explore Program is a 12-week summer program where you rotate through different roles and get a feel for both technical and product work.

The Bank of America Freshman Summer Analyst Program is a 10-week program that introduces you to the finance world while helping you build practical skills step by step.

Meta University is designed for first- and second-year students from underrepresented backgrounds, with a strong focus on growth, support, and exposure.

The Two Sigma First Year Software Engineering Internship is a 10-week, New York City–based program where you work on real projects while learning from experienced engineers.

The Goldman Sachs Virtual Insights Program is a shorter, more flexible option that helps you explore careers and understand the industry without committing to a full internship.

All these programs share one thing: they focus on learning and growth. But timing is important. Most applications open early, usually between September and October, for the next summer. If you start watching now, you can prepare in advance and avoid last-minute stress.

Research from the National Association of Colleges and Employers shows that paid interns receive an average of 1.61 job offers, compared to just 0.77 for students who never intern. That’s a big difference, and it starts with getting experience early.

You’ve probably noticed the “experience paradox”: most jobs ask for experience, but you need a job to get that experience in the first place. Internships help you break that cycle. They give you a way to build real-world skills before you graduate, so you’re not starting from zero later.

There’s also a strong chance that an internship can lead directly to a job. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (2024), about 53% of interns are offered full-time positions. When you start early, you give yourself more time to build toward that outcome.

Getting an internship as a freshman can help you in several ways:

• You figure out what you actually enjoy before committing to or changing your major.
• You start building a professional network earlier, which can open doors later.
• You develop workplace skills, like communication, teamwork, and time management, that aren’t always taught in class.
• You make yourself more competitive for higher-level internships in your junior and senior years.

You also gain something less obvious but just as important: confidence. When you enter your sophomore year knowing you’ve already worked in a professional setting, you carry yourself differently. You become more prepared, more focused, and more aware of what employers expect.

Internships can change your career direction entirely. About 34% of graduates say their internship experience significantly shifted their career path. You, just like them, can seize the opportunity to figure out what fits you best while having the luxury of time to make adjustments throughout your degree program.

If a full summer program seems too much, there are still great options that let you grow, explore, and boost your resume.

You can look into alternatives like these:

Micro-internships are short, project-based roles that typically last 10 to 120 hours. You complete specific tasks for a company, which helps you build skills quickly without a long-term commitment.

Externships are brief job-shadowing experiences that can last from a few days to a few weeks. You observe professionals, ask questions, and get a real sense of what a job is like. While externships are common in graduate programs, there are now options for undergraduates, too.

Research positions are ideal when you seek to work with a professor on a research project. You can develop analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills, especially useful if you’re considering grad school.

On-campus jobs are student roles in areas such as the IT help desk, labs, or writing centers. These jobs are often more relevant to your field than you might expect, and they still count as professional experience.

Virtual internships or externships allow you to work remotely, removing location barriers and giving you access to more opportunities. In fact, about 40% of companies now offer virtual internships, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

Even though these options may look different from traditional internships, they still give you real value. You gain experience you can list on your resume, build relationships that can turn into professional references, and develop skills that employers care about.

You also want to think about finances. Some internships, especially early ones, may be unpaid, and that’s not always realistic. You’re allowed to prioritize paid opportunities or look for programs that offer stipends or financial support.

You might be thinking, “I have nothing to put on my resume.” That’s a really common worry, but that line of thinking is, in fact, inaccurate. You already have more experience than you think. You just need to recognize what counts and present it clearly.

As a freshman, your experience can come from different places:

• High school jobs (retail, food service, babysitting)
• Volunteer work or community service
• Clubs and extracurriculars, especially if you held a leadership role
• Academic projects or coursework that show effort and skills
• Technical skills or certifications you’ve picked up
• Hobbies like coding, design, writing, or content creation

All of these show that you’ve been active, responsible, and willing to learn. That’s exactly what employers look for at this stage.

What really matters is the skills behind those experiences. Even simple roles can teach you things like communication, teamwork, time management, and problem-solving.

When you describe your experience, focus on these transferable skills. For example, instead of just saying you worked in retail, you can show how you handled customers, solved issues, or worked under pressure.

Your resume format can also work in your favor. Since you may not have much formal work experience yet, you can organize it like this:

• Start with your education at the top (include your GPA if it’s 3.5 or higher).
• Add a Projects section to highlight school work or personal projects.
• Include a Leadership or Activities section for clubs and involvement.
• List any skills or certifications you’ve gained.

As you write, use action verbs like “organized,” “created,” or “led.” Whenever possible, add numbers to show impact. Your campus career center usually offers free resume reviews, and they can help you turn what you already have into something strong.

Starting your search for internships can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. You have a lot of resources right at your fingertips:

• Campus career center: Your first stop for bespoke guidance, resume reviews, and school-specific opportunities.
• Handshake: The main platform where employers recruit college students, it offers a filter for programs that welcome first-year students or look for “early talent” opportunities.
• Company career pages: Search for keywords such as “freshman,” “first-year,” or “early career” programs to find openings that may not appear elsewhere.
• LinkedIn: Connect with alumni, follow companies you’re interested in, and discover internship postings.
• GitHub repositories: Especially useful for tech-focused students looking for freshman-specific internships.
• Professional associations: Many run student programs, competitions, or mentoring opportunities in your field.
• Local businesses: Smaller companies are often more willing to take a chance on a motivated freshman, giving you meaningful practical experience.
• Professors and advisors: They may know of research opportunities, faculty-led projects, or professional contacts looking for students.
• Networking events and career fairs: Attend early to start building relationships that can pay off later when you apply for internships or full-time roles.

By uniting these resources, you can uncover opportunities that match your skills, interests, and schedule. Starting early gives you a head start, and even if you’re just exploring, every connection and application helps you gain experience and confidence.

Employers don’t expect you to have years of experience yet. Instead, they look for qualities you can show now: curiosity, eagerness to learn, initiative, and self-motivation. Good communication skills and personal projects or hobbies related to your field can help you stand out, even if your resume is light.

When writing your cover letter, focus on your potential:

• Explain why you’re excited to apply early.
• Show how your interests or projects connect to the company’s work.
• Highlight the skills you’ve developed from school, volunteering, part-time jobs, or hobbies.

Get ready for interviews to boost your confidence. Here are some tips:

• Find out as much as you can about the company before the interview.
• Use examples from your experiences to show how you handle challenges. The STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—works well for this.
• Ask questions that show you’re eager to learn and grow.

Start building connections with your professors early; they can be great mentors and references. Make sure you go to office hours and ask thoughtful questions. Ask about research projects or lab opportunities, and request letters of recommendation well in advance.

Basic networking can open doors for you later on, as well. You simply need to talk to upperclassmen who’ve interned at companies you’re interested in. Ask them for advice and tips. You can also attend info sessions, career fairs, and workshops to meet recruiters.

Practice a short “elevator pitch” explaining who you are, what interests you, and what you hope to learn.
Even as a freshman, you can start showing employers your potential.

By focusing on curiosity, initiative, and building relationships, you’ll gain confidence, grow your network, and be ready for meaningful internships that help launch your career.

Most freshmen don’t get an internship right away, and that’s completely normal. Rejection can sting, but every application is practice. Each “no” shows you how to improve your resume, cover letter, or interview skills.

Even if you’re not interning this summer, you can still make it productive. You don’t need to be part of a formal internship program, but you can engage in real experiences that you can put on your resume.

These are your options:

• Study abroad for scholarships and unique experiences.
• Work on personal projects—apps, websites, or portfolios that show your skills.
• Take online courses and earn certifications on platforms like Coursera or LinkedIn Learning.
• Work part-time jobs that teach teamwork, communication, and time management.
• Volunteer in areas you care about to gain meaningful experience.
• Assist professors with research to boost your analytical skills and references.

By using your time productively, you can prepare for your college journey the following year. Here are steps you can take:

• Learn from past setbacks and refine your approach.
• Identify skills you need and start building them.
• Expand your network—reach out to professors, classmates, and professionals.
• Apply earlier next time with a stronger resume and more confidence.

Starting early helps, but it’s not the only path. Many students find great internships later in college. What matters most is that you keep learning, growing, and building your skills so you’re ready for bigger opportunities when they come.