9 Online Internships for College Students with No Experience

If you’re a college student trying to prepare for your career, doing an internship is one of the best ways to gain professional experience. Internships help you understand how organizations function and provide a way to test out different career paths before committing to one. Online internships are especially worth considering because they let you work with diverse organizations from across the world. 

Many online internships are open to students from all majors, and you don’t need any experience to get started. These programs often focus on project-based learning, research, and teamwork. We have put together a list of 9 online internships for college students with no experience, each designed to help you learn, grow, and strengthen your resume.

1. Smithsonian Virtual Internships

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Varies by program
Location: Virtual or hybrid options (Washington, D.C.)
Cost: No fee; some programs provide stipends 
Dates: Typically 10 weeks in summer (June  – August)
Application Deadline: Varies by program 
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students

The Smithsonian Institution offers a wide range of virtual and hybrid internships across its museums, research centers, and cultural programs. It's your chance to work directly with experts while exploring fields that match your academic interests. Whether you are passionate about art history, cultural heritage, natural sciences, public affairs, communications, fundraising, education, or museum studies, there’s a project that fits your goals. As an intern, you’ll be assigned to a team or mentor and work on specific, project-based tasks. Depending on the program, you might write science stories for the Smithsonian Voices blog, contribute articles to the Ocean Portal website, digitize collections, support cultural heritage documentation, help design educational programs, or assist in communications and public relations efforts. 

2. Ladder Internships

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Approximately 25%; around 100 students per cohort
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Note: Financial aid available
Dates: 8-week programs with multiple cohorts; Summer Cohort II starts July 14
Application Deadline: Varies based on cohort
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap-year students

Ladder University Internship Program lets you work online with high-growth startups across a variety of industries. As an intern, you’ll dive into projects that match your interests and skills, such as developing marketing strategies, building machine learning models, conducting research, or designing pitch decks. You’ll work closely with company coaches and startup mentors, who guide you every step of the way. The program has a set timeline, where you create multiple deliverables and present your final work to the host company. Along the way, you’ll also gain familiarity with tools and processes common in startup environments, including agile workflows and cross-functional teamwork. 

3. Outreachy

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Location: Virtual
Stipend: $7,000 
Program Dates: Summer Internship: June 2 – August 29 | Winter Internship: December – March
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: No degree or prior experience required

Outreachy is a remote internship program where you contribute to open-source projects alongside experienced mentors and tech communities. You can work on technical projects such as software development, data science, and cloud infrastructure, or choose non-technical paths such as user experience design, technical writing, or community engagement. Here’s how it works: you join an open-source organization, select a project, and complete it with guidance from a mentor. Throughout the internship, you’ll participate in code reviews, learn the workflows of large, distributed teams, and gain hands-on experience with industry tools such as GitHub and project management systems. By the end of the internship, you’ll have made real contributions that remain part of public open-source repositories – visible to the wider community around the world. 

4. Virtual Student Federal Service (VSFS)

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified; highly selective
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Dates: Open throughout the year
Application Deadline: February
Eligibility: US citizens who are currently enrolled in a college or university

Virtual Student Federal Service (VSFS) lets you work with U.S. federal agencies, all from the comfort of your home. Depending on your interests, you might contribute to tasks such as data analysis, research, policy writing, content creation, or digital communications. You’ll collaborate virtually with mentors and team members, using project management tools and communication platforms just like professional teams do. Along the way, you’ll learn how government agencies operate – drafting reports, synthesizing information, and supporting ongoing initiatives. You’ll also get hands-on experience working with public datasets and digital resources – helping you apply what you have learned in class to real-world problems.

5. CodeDay Labs

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified; highly selective
Location: Virtual
Cost: Approx. $1,200/student (Init) and $1,500/student (Intermediate/Advanced); discounts available for certain institutions
Dates: Dates vary based on the Track 
Application Deadline: Varies by track and partner institution
Eligibility: Open to college students at all levels (freshman through senior)

The CodeDay Labs internship program is a fully online experience that lets you work on open-source projects, with the guidance of software engineers from well-known companies such as Netflix, SAP, and Uber. You’ll join a small team of two to four students, fixing bugs, adding tests, improving documentation, or building new features that make a real impact. Each day includes technical talks and casual lunch events, where you’ll connect with professionals in the software industry. You can also reach out to teaching assistants online if you need any help or guidance. Based on your background, you are placed into one of three tracks – Init, Intermediate, or Advanced – so you can take part in code reviews, regular check-ins, and online teamwork with your group. By the end of the internship, you’ll have gained hands-on experience in open-source development and a strong technical foundation.

6. UNICEF USA Virtual Internships

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Location: Worldwide (onsite, remote, or hybrid)
Cost: Unpaid; stipend may be provided for travel or living expenses
Dates: Varies by position
Application Deadline: Varies by position
Eligibility: Minimum 18 years, enrolled or recent graduate (within 2 years), fluent in English/French/Spanish, no immediate relatives in reporting line

The UNICEF Internship Programme allows you to be a part of global efforts that improve the lives of children and communities around the world. As an intern, you could be working on projects in areas such as communications, research, program management, data analysis, policy, or advocacy, depending on your background. You will support ongoing projects, take part in meetings, and collaborate with teams working across UNICEF’s global network. Throughout the internship, your supervisors will guide you on tasks and help you understand how international organizations function. Internship projects often involve research, content creation, data collection, and administrative support, giving you insights into the world of global development and humanitarian work.

7. Brookings Institution Virtual Internship Program

Cohort Size: 150 interns annually
Location: U.S.; hybrid (DC area + remote) or fully remote (certain states only)
Cost: Paid; no application fee
Dates: Summer, Fall, Spring
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Undergrad or master’s students, recent graduates, international students with U.S. work authorization

The Brookings Internship Program gives you the opportunity to work within one of the most respected think-tanks in the United States.  As an intern, you may be placed in one of Brookings’ research programs, such as Governance Studies, Global Economy and Development, Brookings Metro, Economic Studies, or Foreign Policy, or support one of its central business units, including Human Resources, Finance, Communications, or the Executive Office. Your tasks will vary depending on the department and may include research, administrative support, or communications projects. Beyond your main responsibilities, you’ll also take part in cohort learning, networking events, social programming, and professional development workshops that help you grow your skills and connections. You may also join employee-led affinity groups and internal professional networks during your internship, offering even more opportunities to explore your professional interests and expand your network.

8. Parker Dewey Micro-Internships

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Paid per project
Dates: Year-round; projects vary in length and deadlines
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: College students and recent graduates of U.S.-based institutions (with work authorization for international students)

Parker Dewey Micro-Internships give you the opportunity to take on short-term, paid projects with companies ranging from startups to large enterprises. Each assignment is clearly defined with a set timeline and fixed payment, so you know exactly what you will earn and what is expected before applying. Opportunities are available year-round, allowing you to choose projects that fit your schedule and explore different industries or roles. Once selected, you will work directly with the company on projects that may include research, marketing, data analysis, or communications. The application process is simple – applications are submitted through a Career Launcher profile, and in many cases, companies may make their decisions based solely on your application or profile without requiring an interview. 

9. American Psychological Association (APA) Virtual Internship

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Location: Virtual (with state restrictions; not open internationally)
Cost/Stipend: Paid or academic credit (unpaid)
Dates: Offered year-round (spring, summer, fall, winter)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students enrolled at least part-time in an academic institution; U.S. work eligibility required

The American Psychological Association gives you the opportunity to work in a large nonprofit membership organization in the U.S. that supports over 157,000 psychologists and affiliates across the country. As an intern, you’ll be placed in a department that is aligned with your interests – such as policy, research, publishing, communications, operations, or education. Depending on your placement, you might assist with policy briefs, contribute to research summaries, draft communications, or support educational initiatives. In addition to department-specific work, you will have opportunities to attend workshops, participate in group discussions, and collaborate on projects designed to broaden your understanding of professional psychology in practice. The internship also encourages you to explore non-traditional career paths, helping you see how psychological knowledge applies to advocacy, publishing, organizational strategy, and beyond. 

Image source - The Smithsonian Institution Logo