how can i get an internship with zero experience?

getting your first internship can be a bit tricky, but not impossible.

the objective is simple: how can you convince someone to take a chance on you?

well, the answer is you have to show them your value and your ~passion~ (ugh i kinda hate that word). even without formal experience, there are soo many ways you can show your genuine interest in the role you’re hoping to pursue.

✨ if you want to go for a marketing role, create case studies analyzing your favorite brands’ strategies—what are they doing right, and what could they do better? share your insights in a portfolio or even on social media to build credibility. not sure what i’m yappin about? check out ryan to’s content and case studies, and you’ll get what i mean.

✨ if you’re interested in graphic design, dive into tools like figma, adobe suite, or even canva and start building your portfolio with personal or mock projects. redesign a brand’s logo, create a social media campaign, or put together a user interface (UI) for a hypothetical app—the possibilities is endless. need inspo? here are some portfolios i’ve been gushing over: ryan haskins (graphic design) and ishani pandey (UX/UI).

personally, i got my first internship through a cold reach out—it’s kind of a funny story. my friends and i were looking for early-stage startups to research and pitch during a venture capital (VC) competition and we stumbled upon an up-and-coming company that’s uniquely helping international students with their journey to study abroad in the US. we ended up pitching their company. i really admired their mission, so after the competition, i found the founder’s email and sent him a note explaining why i wanted to work for him and how i could contribute. (i attached the pitch deck, ofc.) it was a bit of a moonshot, but it landed me a spot at the startup—and that experience snowballed into other opportunities. but i’ll save those stories for another day.

so, back to my point, here’s my advice for people just starting their creative journey:

1️⃣ start small: don’t overlook startups, small agencies, nonprofits, or student-run businesses. they’re often more willing to take a chance on someone who’s just starting out.

2️⃣ network (even if it’s scary): reach out to alumni, attend virtual events, or connect with professionals on linkedin. maybe don’t ask for a job or favor outright, but most people are happy to give advice or point you in the right direction.

3️⃣ leverage what you already have: use class projects, personal work, or even hobbies to show your skills. a strong portfolio speaks louder than a plain resume.

4️⃣ customize your outreach: if you’re cold emailing or applying, tailor your message to the company. mention something specific about their work and explain how you can add value.

remember, getting that first internship isn’t about being perfect—it’s about showing potential, and you definitely have it! say it with me now: “i have potential!”

everyone has to start somewhere, and this could be your beginning.

🫶 nina