Can Freshmen Get Internships? Yes, And Here's How to Actually Land One

If you're a freshman wondering whether you can get an internship, the answer is simple: yes, you can. But let's be honest, it's not always easy. You're competing with upperclassmen who have stronger resumes, more experience, and sometimes even previous internships. That said, there are programs specifically designed for early college students, and we've interviewed the team at Simplify (a student-first recruiting tool) for their best tips to help you land one during this recruiting season.

---

1. Yes, There Are Internships for Freshmen

You're not imagining things: internships for freshmen are harder to find, but they do exist. Many large companies offer early-career tracks with names like:

• Exploratory Programs
• Early ID or Early Insight
• Freshman Discovery
• Emerging Talent Programs

These programs exist to identify promising students early, build brand loyalty, and create pipelines for return offers in future years. Some are structured like full internships (e.g., Google's STEP internship), while others are shorter "externship"-style experiences that focus on mentorship, networking, and exploration. Companies like JPMorgan, Meta, Google, and McKinsey all offer targeted first-year internship programs. Yes, they're competitive, but that's exactly why you should apply. Someone's getting those offers. Why not you?

Specific Freshman Early-Career Programs to Apply To

Here are the exact programs with specific names that actively recruit freshmen and sophomores:

Technology & Engineering:

• Google STEP (Student Training in Engineering Program) - 12-week CS internship
• Microsoft Explore - 12-week software engineering program for first/second years
• Meta University - 8-10 week program in engineering, data science, product design
• NVIDIA Ignite - 12-week immersion for underrepresented communities
• Amazon Propel Program (APP) - Software development with 2-week bootcamp
• UberSTAR Program - 12-week program for CS/Engineering/Math majors
• Duolingo Thrive - 8-week program for underrepresented second-year students
• Citadel Launch - 11-week engineering program in finance

Consulting & Professional Services:

• McKinsey Sophomore Summer Business Analyst Program - 10-week consulting internship
• Deloitte Discovery Internship - 8-10 week consulting/advisory/tax program
• Bain BEL (Building Entrepreneurial Leaders) - Week-long consulting immersion
• BCG Bridge to Consulting - 2-day program for diverse freshmen/sophomores
• BCG Advance - Program specifically for sophomore women
• Accenture Student Leadership Program - Virtual leadership development
• Oliver Wyman First-Year Immersion Program - Virtual consulting introduction

Finance & Investment Banking:

• JPMorgan Code for Good - Technology hackathon and early career pipeline
• JPMorgan Advancing Black Pathways - Banking/tech/financial services training
• Goldman Sachs Possibilities Summits - Financial services insight programs
• Citi Early Insight Programs - Freshman Discovery Day and HBCU Symposium
• Bank of America Global Technology Sophomore Analyst - Tech and operations roles

Big Four Accounting/Advisory:

• PwC Start Program - Early career development for underrepresented students
• EY Launch Program - Leadership and professional development initiative
• KPMG Future Leaders Program - Early talent development track

Healthcare & Biotechnology:

• Johnson & Johnson WiSTEM2D University Program - STEM careers for diverse women

Law & Public Policy:

• SEO Law Fellowship Program - Law firm internships with training
• Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) - Public policy internships

Cross-Industry Programs:

• INROADS - Paid internships with 200+ corporate partners
• Outreachy - Remote open-source tech internships for underrepresented groups

2. Apply Even If You Don't Feel Qualified

One of the biggest mistakes freshmen make is ruling themselves out. You might see a posting and think, "I'm not qualified for this." But you should know: no one expects you to have years of experience.

When companies open internships for freshmen, they're looking for potential.

If a role sounds even slightly relevant, apply. Tailor your resume with a few keywords from the description. If there's an optional field for a cover letter, use it. Show you've done your research and that you genuinely care about what the company does. Most people won't bother, that's your edge.

Don't self-reject. Your job is to show up and give yourself a chance. Let them be the ones to say no, not you.

3. Get Creative About What Counts as Experience

You may not have a "real" job on your resume, and that's completely fine. What recruiters want to see at this stage is evidence that you take initiative.

Think broader:

• Did you lead a group project in class?
• Did you organize something in your dorm, club, or student org?
• Have you built something on your own, even if it's small?

In fact, it might count more than you think. When describing these experiences on your resume, focus on clarity:

What did you do? How did you do it? What happened as a result?

Want to level up even more? Try small, resume-worthy projects:

• Start a blog about something related to your major
• Offer to manage social media for a local organization
• Build a mini tool or service with a classmate

You need proof that you're curious and self-motivated. That's what recruiters for early-career programs are really looking for.

---

4. Leverage the Stuff Upperclassmen Overlook

As a freshman, you might lack experience, but you have access to resources many older students ignore. Here's how to use them:

• Career services: Book an appointment. Get resume feedback. Ask specifically about internships for freshmen. Many schools have dedicated lists.

• Clubs, hackathons, student orgs: These are low-stakes ways to build your resume and meet peers who can refer you in the future.

• Professors and TAs: Don't just ask about homework. Ask if they know any local companies or former students hiring first-year interns.

• Alumni networks: Use LinkedIn filters or your school's alumni portal to find people who did early internships. Ask: "How did you get your first one?"

Use what you have. Being resourceful and coachable stands out more than you think, especially early in your college journey.

---

5. Persistence Beats Perfection

The biggest difference between freshmen who get internships and those who don't is persistence.

You may have to apply to 20, 30, or 50+ roles. That's normal. Rejections are normal. Ghosting is normal.

What matters is that you keep showing up.

• Follow up on your applications
• Send thank-you emails after interviews
• Ask for feedback when you don't get selected
• Adjust your resume and try again

You don't need every company to give you an offer. You need one yes. Stay in the game long enough to get it.

---

Final Thoughts

So, can freshmen get internships? Absolutely.

Becase freshmen can be curious, persistent, and willing to show effort before most people even start.

Start now, apply to those summer internships, even if it feels out of reach.

Remember: you only need one yes to change everything. Most students don't even try this early. If you do? You're already ahead.

If you're ready to look for freshman internships, browse Simplify's extensive database with over a million job and internship listings available. Check it out here!