No experience? You have more to offer than you might think. Your resume can shine even without work history by highlighting your skills, education, and potential. Focus on what you’ve learned in school, volunteer work, or personal projects. Your resume is a chance to show your passion for the field and willingness to grow. With the right approach, you can create a resume that gets noticed and lands you that exciting internship opportunity.
Examples and Templates of Internship Resumes with No Experience
In this chapter, you will find templates and examples for 5 types of internship resumes with no experience: objective-focused resume, skills-based resume, education-centric resume, extracurricular activities resume, and personal projects resume. Choose the approach that best fits your background and experience, and use our templates and examples as a starting point to craft a resume that effectively showcases your potential.
1. Resume template with an objective:
Objective:
To obtain an internship in [desired field] where I can apply my [relevant skills/knowledge] and contribute to the organization’s goals while gaining practical experience.
Education:
[Degree], [Major]
[University Name], [City, State]
Expected Graduation: [Month, Year]
GPA: [x.xx]
Relevant Coursework:
– [Course 1]
– [Course 2]
– [Course 3]
Extracurricular Activities:
– [Activity 1], [Role], [Date]
– [Activity 2], [Role], [Date]
Personal Projects:
– [Project 1], [Brief Description], [Date]
– [Project 2], [Brief Description], [Date]
Volunteer Experience:
– [Organization], [Role], [Date]
– [Organization], [Role], [Date]
Example:
Objective:
To obtain an internship in marketing where I can apply my creativity and communication skills to contribute to the organization’s goals while gaining practical experience.
Education:
Bachelor of Arts, Marketing
University of (…), [City], USA
Expected Graduation: May 2026
GPA: 3.8
Relevant Coursework:
– Principles of Marketing
– Consumer Behavior
– Digital Marketing Strategies
Extracurricular Activities:
– Marketing Club, Vice President, 2022-Present
– Volunteer Tutor, Local Community Center, 2021-Present
Personal Projects:
– Created a social media campaign for a local non-profit, resulting in a 20% increase in followers, 2022
– Designed a logo and branding materials for a student-led startup, 2021
Volunteer Experience:
– [City] Food Bank, Social Media Coordinator, Summer 2022
– [City] Animal Shelter, Fundraising Volunteer, Fall 2021
2. Skills-based resume template:
Skills:
– [Skill 1]
– [Skill 2]
– [Skill 3]
– [Skill 4]
Education:
[Degree], [Major]
[University Name], [City, State]
Expected Graduation: [Month, Year]
GPA: [x.xx]
Relevant Projects:
– [Project 1], [Brief Description], [Date]
– [Project 2], [Brief Description], [Date]
Language Proficiencies:
– [Language 1]: [Proficiency Level]
– [Language 2]: [Proficiency Level]
Example:
Skills:
– Excellent written and verbal communication
– Strong organizational and time management abilities
– Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
– Fluent in Spanish
Education:
Bachelor of Science, Communication Studies
University of (…), [City], USA
Expected Graduation: May 2026
GPA: 3.6
Relevant Projects:
– Developed and presented a communication plan for a mock client, receiving positive feedback from professors and peers, 2022
– Created a series of informational videos for the university’s study abroad program, 2021
Language Proficiencies:
– English: Native
– Spanish: Fluent
3. Education-centric resume template:
Education:
[Degree], [Major]
[University Name], [City, State]
Expected Graduation: [Month, Year]
GPA: [x.xx]
Relevant Coursework:
– [Course 1]
– [Course 2]
– [Course 3]
Academic Awards and Honors:
– [Award 1], [Date]
– [Award 2], [Date]
Research Projects:
– [Project 1], [Brief Description], [Date]
– [Project 2], [Brief Description], [Date]
Presentations and Papers:
– [Presentation/Paper Title], [Event/Course], [Date]
– [Presentation/Paper Title], [Event/Course], [Date]
Example:
Education:
Bachelor of Arts, English Literature
University of (…), [City], USA
Expected Graduation: May 2026
GPA: 3.9
Relevant Coursework:
– Creative Writing Workshop
– Shakespeare and His Contemporaries
– Modern American Literature
Academic Awards and Honors:
– Dean’s List, Fall 2022, Spring 2023
– Best Short Story Award, University Literary Magazine, 2022
Research Projects:
– “The Influence of Modernism on Contemporary Poetry,” Independent Study, Fall 2022
– “Gender Roles in Victorian Literature,” Research Assistant to Dr. Jane Smith, Summer 2021
Presentations and Papers:
– “The Evolution of the Anti-Hero in American Fiction,” English Department Conference, Spring 2023
– “Symbolism in T.S. Eliot’s ‘The Waste Land,'” Modern Poetry Course, Fall 2022
4. Extracurricular activities resume template:
Education:
[Degree], [Major]
[University Name], [City, State]
Expected Graduation: [Month, Year]
GPA: [x.xx]
Extracurricular Activities:
– [Organization/Club], [Role], [Date]
– [Responsibility/Achievement 1]
– [Responsibility/Achievement 2]
– [Organization/Club], [Role], [Date]
– [Responsibility/Achievement 1]
– [Responsibility/Achievement 2]
Skills:
– [Skill 1]
– [Skill 2]
– [Skill 3]
Example:
Education:
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology
University of (…), [City], USA
Expected Graduation: May 2026
GPA: 3.7
Extracurricular Activities:
– Psychology Club, President, 2022-Present
– Organized monthly meetings and invited guest speakers
– Coordinated a campus-wide mental health awareness campaign
– Varsity Soccer Team, Captain, 2021-2022
– Led team to conference championship
– Coordinated team fundraising events and community outreach
Skills:
– Leadership and teamwork
– Public speaking and presentations
– Event planning and organization
5. Personal projects resume template:
Education:
[Degree], [Major]
[University Name], [City, State]
Expected Graduation: [Month, Year]
GPA: [x.xx]
Personal Projects:
– [Project 1], [Date]
– [Brief Description]
– [Skills/Knowledge Gained]
– [Project 2], [Date]
– [Brief Description]
– [Skills/Knowledge Gained]
Skills:
– [Skill 1]
– [Skill 2]
– [Skill 3]
Relevant Coursework:
– [Course 1]
– [Course 2]
– [Course 3]
Example:
Education:
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Graphic Design
University of (…), [City], USA
Expected Graduation: May 2026
GPA: 3.8
Personal Projects:
– “Cityscape Photography Series,” 2022
– Photographed and edited a series of 20 cityscapes
– Developed skills in composition, lighting, and post-processing
– “Non-Profit Logo Design,” 2021
– Created logos for three local non-profit organizations
– Collaborated with clients to understand their brand identity and goals
Skills:
– Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
– Photography and photo editing
– Branding and logo design
Relevant Coursework:
– Typography and Layout
– Digital Photography
– Web Design Fundamentals
Examples of Internship Resume Summaries With No Experience
- “Enthusiastic college sophomore seeking a marketing internship to apply strong communication and social media skills.”
- “Detail-oriented computer science student eager to gain hands-on experience in software development through an internship opportunity.”
- “Hardworking biology major looking for a research internship to build laboratory skills and contribute to scientific discoveries.”
- “Creative graphic design student excited to learn and grow in a professional environment through a design internship.”
- “Motivated business student seeking a finance internship to apply analytical skills and gain real-world experience.”
- More examples: 50 Best Resume Summary Examples (+ Templates) and 15 Smart Examples: Resume Summary
Best Practices for Resume for Internship with No Experience
A resume is your chance to shine on paper. It’s a quick snapshot of who you are and what you can do. For an internship, you’ll want to keep it short and sweet – one page is perfect.
The most common resume format is reverse-chronological. This means you list your most recent experiences first. It’s a good choice for internships because it puts your latest achievements front and center.
Many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to scan resumes. These computer programs look for specific keywords. To get past them, use words from the job description in your resume.
Some key sections to include are:
- Contact Information
- Education
- Skills
- Volunteer Work
- Extracurricular Activities
Don’t worry if you don’t have work experience. Focus on your skills and any projects you’ve done in school or on your own. These can show what you’re capable of.
Q & A
What can I include on my internship resume if I’ve never had a job before?
You can add volunteer work, school projects, and extracurricular activities. These show your skills and dedication. You might list clubs you joined or events you helped organize. Don’t forget about any awards or honors you’ve received.
How can I format my resume when applying for my first internship without work experience?
Keep it simple and clean. Use a clear font like Arial or Calibri. Start with your contact info at the top. Then add sections for education, skills, and activities. Use bullet points to list your achievements. Stick to one page if you can.
What skills should I highlight on my internship resume if I don’t have professional experience?
Focus on soft skills like communication and teamwork. Add any technical skills you’ve learned in school. For example, you might know how to use Microsoft Office or coding languages. Don’t forget about language skills or leadership experience from group projects.
Can you suggest any tips for writing a strong summary for my internship resume despite lacking work history?
Keep it short and snappy. Mention your major and year in school. Add a line about your career goals. For example: “Enthusiastic marketing student seeking to apply classroom knowledge to a real-world setting.” Highlight one or two key skills that match the internship.
What are some effective ways to showcase my academic achievements on my resume for an internship?
List your GPA if it’s above 3.0. Mention any academic honors or dean’s list appearances. Include relevant coursework that relates to the internship. You can also add any research projects or papers you’ve worked on. If you’ve taken part in academic competitions, include those too.