When I first started applying for internships, I genuinely was not qualified for most of the roles I was looking at.
They listed skills I didn’t know.
They wanted previous internship experience. What a paradox…
They wanted impressive projects. Everything was already built, right…
And I didn’t have any of that.
My projects were solid, but nothing extraordinary. Nothing that would immediately make a recruiter pause.
They were basic fulllstack projects.
Yet somehow, I ended up getting multiple internship offers, primarily from Verizon and Apple.
Shocking… I know.
Now I do want to stress some things here. You can follow this guide to the period, and still not land internships at Verizon or Apple.
This is because luck was also involved. Luck is always involved.
I worked hard and made myself ready for those experiences and increased my odds. That is the best that we can do.
In this post, I’m going to break down exactly what I did to get internships with no experience. These are the specific programs and strategies that helped me stand out.
Every single one of these is free. And I personally did all of them.
If you’re searching for:
- how to get a tech internship with no experience
- how to build experience as a computer science student
- free programs to strengthen your resume
This is what worked for me.
1. Break Through Tech (Paid Experience + Real Projects)
The first program I always recommend is Break Through Tech.
They offer two strong opportunities.
Sprintinternships
These are short-term internships, typically about a month long. You apply, get matched with a company, and work on a real project.
They are paid, though compensation depends on the host company.
The key here is accessibility. You do not need an extensive background to apply. Many students hesitate because they feel underqualified. I was one of them. But applying anyway made a difference.
This is what opened the doors for me to get into Verizon.
I did the Sprinternship with Verizon, balled out, then got a return offer for 2025 Summer.
AI Fellowship
This is an AI-focused program that pays $2,000 for completing the full program. You also get a cool looking certificate from Cornell University!
You work on structured machine learning projects, collaborate with other students, and gain practical experience.
If you are trying to break into AI or machine learning internships, this is one of the strongest free programs available.
Also, you get to work with a real company for the second half of the program. Companies like Google pull up. Yeah, Google.
I plan to write a more in-depth guide on Break Through Tech because it genuinely helped me stand out.
2. CodePath (Structured Skill Building)
Next is CodePath.
CodePath offers free technical courses for college students. You apply, get accepted, and follow a structured curriculum week by week.
They offer courses in:
- Web development
- Mobile development
- Technical interview preparation
- AI and emerging technologies
What I appreciated most about CodePath was the structure.
Instead of guessing what to build or how to improve, they give you a roadmap:
Here is what you are building.
Here is what you need to learn this week.
Here are the deliverables.
By the end, you have real projects, teamwork experience, and concrete skills to discuss in interviews.
If you are unsure how to improve your resume, this removes that uncertainty.
I personally did the Web Development and Technical Prep courses. Both were amazing, learned a whole lot.
3. Forage (Virtual Experience From Real Companies)
This is one of my favorite ones. Forage is one of the most underrated resources.
I NEVER want to here that you don’t know where to get experience from after you read this section!!
It provides free virtual experience programs sponsored by real companies such as:
- Electronic Arts (EA)
- Lyft
- JP Morgan Chase
These programs are asynchronous. You complete practical tasks that simulate real work from those companies.
You can list them on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
Again, if you are wondering how to gain experience before your first internship, this is one of the fastest and most accessible ways to do it. Hands down.
It gave me tangible experiences to discuss during interviews, even before I had formal internship experience.
4. Extern (Externships for Early Experience)
If you are struggling to land internships, consider externships through programs like Extern.
Externships are often unpaid, but they are structured similarly to internships. You work with real companies and gain exposure to professional environments.
Some well-known companies such as Canva, Snapchat, etc have participated in externship-style programs.
Early on, the priority should be experience and credibility. Compensation becomes more important once you have built that foundation.
Learn before you earn. This is how you break the paradox.
Externships give you:
- Real company exposure
- Resume credibility
- Strong interview examples
5. Major League Hacking (Hackathons = Fast Growth)
You probably know about this one. Major League Hacking (MLH) sponsors hackathons across the country, both in-person and virtual.
You can:
- Join their community
- Form teams
- Build projects in short timeframes
- Compete for prizes, internships, and job opportunities
Even if you do not win, you leave with:
- A completed project
- Team collaboration experience
- A stronger portfolio
Hackathons helped me become more comfortable building quickly and explaining my work clearly. That confidence showed up in interviews. Plus it was fun to build a project with friends. Merch is fire too!
6. ACM (Use Your University Resources)
Disclaimer: I was not the most active for this one. I attended maybe a handful of events, and used it more for networking. I put it on here because a lot of you guys can find value in the networking aspect of this club.
If you are currently in college, join ACM: the Association for Computing Machinery.
Most universities have a chapter.
ACM chapters typically:
- Run technical projects
- Host workshops
- Invite industry speakers
- Create networking opportunities
Being active in a technical student organization demonstrates initiative. It also gives you leadership and teamwork experience, which recruiters value.
If you are already paying tuition, take advantage of these opportunities.
Why These Programs Helped Me Get Internships
Recruiters are not just evaluating skill. They are evaluating initiative and consistency. You stand out more with brand names. You stand out more with more complex terms you can actually explain.
When they see:
- Break Through Tech
- CodePath
- Forage
- Hackathons
- ACM involvement
They see a student who is actively building experience.
That is what helped me land internships at Verizon and Apple.
For context, the timeline was:
These Programs > Verizon > Apple
Focus on these first, and keep applying.
If I had not participated in these programs, I don’t think I would have received those offers.
If You Are Trying to Get a Tech Internship With No Experience
You do not need perfect credentials. I literally went to a Top 100 School in the US (Ranked #73 at the time of this being written)
You do not need extraordinary projects. I literally reused projects I found on YouTube and followed along those tutorials.
You do not need connections. I don’t have family working in tech nor did I have a job waiting for me after graduation based on nepotism.
You need proof that you are serious and actively improving.
All of these programs are:
- Free
- Accessible
- Practical
- Resume builders
Start with one. Apply this week. Commit to finishing it.
Please, please please, do NOT hold off on it. Literally bookmark this and start grinding. It isn’t too late.
That momentum compounds quickly.