Solving the "How do I GET experience if I don't have it?" Chicken-before-the-Egg Problem

More than ever in this job market, we are faced with the "chicken before the egg" problem of needing experience to get so-called "entry-level "experience. This is the ultimate guide and compilation of resources to get what I call "bridge" experience.

Author

Morgan Young
May 18, 2026

In partnership with

If you’ve ever looked at an “entry-level” job or internship and thought:

“How am I supposed to have experience… if no one will give me experience?”

You’re not alone.

Somewhere along the way, “entry-level” stopped meaning entry-level, and started meaning “1 to 2 years of experience required.” Even internships, the very thing that’s supposed to give you experience, now ask for it upfront.

So you end up stuck in a loop:

  • You need experience to get experience

  • But you can’t get experience without experience

So why do companies do this?

Not because they expect you to have had a full-time job already.

But because hiring, even at the entry level, is risky.

At the end of the day, companies are trying to answer one question:

“Can this person actually do the job?”

Since they cannot see your potential directly, they look for proof.

Let’s talk about what “experience” actually means

You have probably heard the term “transferable skills.”

These are:
skills you have gained in one context that can be applied in another.

Think communication, leadership, problem-solving, and teamwork.

These matter, especially early in your career.

But here is the reality:

Transferable skills alone are often not enough.

In today’s job market, companies are trying to reduce risk. The safer hire is usually the person who has already done similar work, used similar tools, or solved similar problems.

Which means they are not just looking for capability. They are looking for:
Relevant experience.

What is “relevant experience”?

Relevant experience is experience that closely mirrors the actual job you are applying for.

Not just:

  • “I worked on a team”

But:

  • “I ran social media campaigns” for a marketing role

  • “I built and shipped a product feature” for a product role

  • “I analyzed data and presented insights” for a data role

The closer your experience looks to the job, the easier it is for a company to say:

“Yes, this person can do this here.”

So where does that leave you?

If you do not have a formal job yet, how are you supposed to get relevant experience?

This is where most people get stuck.

And this is exactly where bridge experience comes in.

What is “bridge experience”?

Bridge experience is any experience that helps bridge the gap between your education and your first professional role.

It is how you:

  • apply what you have learned

  • build real, job-relevant skills

  • and prove you can do the work, before you are officially hired

It may not look like a traditional job.

But it counts.

Here is the part no one tells you

Your first job does not come from already having the perfect experience.

It comes from finding ways to demonstrate that you are capable of doing the job before someone hires you to do it.

That is what this article will show you how to do.

Because once you understand how to build bridge experience, you stop waiting for opportunities.

You start creating them.

In this article, I will share 15 different types of “bridge” experiences that are, in essence, true entry-level opportunities in that they require little to no experience + where to find these opportunities and how to break into them.

✍️ Reader’s Note: I’ve listed these experiences in order of lowest to highest (ascending) barrier to entry (i.e. difficulty of attaining/breaking into these experiences).

📝 Disclaimer: NONE of the experiences/examples or platforms mentioned in this list are sponsored. This is all my own opinion and genuine advice.

BUT, before we do get into the non-sponsored stuff, a quick note from today’s sponsor who did make this article possible 🫶 

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1. Self-Guided Projects

Literally anyone can start these today. No application process, no gatekeepers, and no GPA requirements. The biggest challenge is simply having the initiative to start.

What it is

Self-guided projects are projects you create on your own to build skills, gain experience, and demonstrate your capabilities. Depending on your target career path, this could look like building an app, creating a marketing campaign, designing a product mockup, analyzing data, starting a newsletter, or launching a small business.

Projects are one of the best forms of bridge experience because they directly demonstrate relevant skills. Even if you have never had a formal job in the field before, projects help prove you can already do the type of work the role requires.

How to get started

One of the biggest misconceptions about projects is that they need to be groundbreaking or technically advanced to matter.

They do not.

Your goal is not to build the next billion-dollar startup. Your goal is to demonstrate relevant skills.

A good beginner project is simply a smaller-scale version of the work somebody in your target role would actually do.

🔥 Expert Tip: Try to get as specific and targeted as possible. For example, even though I studied Computer Science & Engineering and broadly targeted software engineering internships, I specifically niched into iOS development. My entire project portfolio was composed of iOS apps, which created a very cohesive narrative and clearly demonstrated that I could already do the work of an iOS Engineer Intern specifically.

✍️ Examples by career path:

  • Social Media Management/Marketing: Create a content calendar, influencer campaign, or portfolio of UGC videos

  • Marketing: Build a case study proposing a new marketing strategy for a brand you like

  • Product Management: Create wireframes, a PRD, roadmap, prototype, or GTM strategy for a product idea

  • Investment Banking: Build a financial model or create an investment thesis on a public company

  • Consulting: Analyze a historical business problem and create your own solution deck

Platforms like GitHub, Replit, Kaggle, Canva, Figma, Tableau Public, and freeCodeCamp are great places to start. GitHub and Coursera also have plenty of starter and skeleton projects you can build from.

How to position it on your resume

Projects should absolutely be treated like real experience on your resume and LinkedIn profile, especially early in your career.

Focus on:

  • what you built

  • what skills/tools you used

  • and what problem you solved

For example:

Weak:
↳“Created an app for class”

Strong:
↳ “Built a budgeting web application using React and Firebase that allowed users to track monthly expenses and visualize spending trends.”

One sounds like a school assignment. The other sounds like relevant experience.

💭 A Thought from Morgan on Projects: I know you guys probably hear all too often to “create side projects.” It may be over-said and a bit cliche at this point, but for me, projects were the game changer at the beginning of my career. My project portfolio was really what set me apart and helped me get my first few interviews and consequently, my internship offers. TBH, my project portfolio wasn’t particularly exceptional, especially because this was pre-GenAI. But it did show two key things — a) that I had initiative, because I was doing these projects completely on my own with no direction and b) a cohesive skill-set since I was so narrowly focused on iOS development.

2. Job Simulations (Forage)

What it is

Job simulations are short, self-paced virtual programs designed to simulate the type of work you would actually do in a specific role or company. Platforms like Forage partner with major employers to create these experiences across fields like software engineering, consulting, investment banking, cybersecurity, marketing, and product management.

One of the biggest advantages of job simulations is that there is virtually no barrier to entry. There is no application process, interview, or prior experience required.

While simulations are generally less “weighty” than internships or research positions, they are still valuable because they help you build familiarity with the actual work done in an industry while also demonstrating initiative and curiosity.

They can be especially useful if you are targeting a specific company. Completing a simulation from a company you eventually want to work for can help you better understand:

  • the types of problems they solve

  • the skills they value

  • and how work is approached within that organization

That context can make you significantly more prepared for interviews and networking conversations.

How to get started

The easiest way to get started is through Forage, which offers free job simulations from companies like JPMorgan Chase, Accenture, Electronic Arts, and Goldman Sachs.

A good strategy is to search for simulations related to:

  • the role you are targeting

  • or companies you would eventually love to work for

For example, an aspiring software engineer might complete engineering or cybersecurity simulations, while someone interested in consulting could complete strategy or client recommendation projects.

Here’s 2 example roadmaps of simulations you could do based on the roles you’re targeting (it’s a choose-your-own-adventure!):

Strategy & Consulting:
↳ PwC — Technology Consulting (Level: Introductory)
↳ BCG — Intro to Strategy Consulting (Level: Introductory)
↳ KPMG — Career Catalyst: Advisory (Level: Intermediate)
↳ PwC — Management Consulting (Level: Intermediate)
↳ BCG — Social Impact (Level: Specialty/Niche)
↳ Tata — ESG (Environmental Social Good) (Level: Specialty/Niche)

How to position it on your resume

Job simulations can live in a “Projects,” “Experience,” or “Professional Development” section on your resume and LinkedIn profile.

The key is focusing less on simply “completing” the simulation and more on the actual skills and tasks involved.

For example, instead of saying: “Completed Forage simulation”
↳ frame it more like: “Completed a software engineering job simulation with JPMorgan Chase focused on API integration and real-time data visualization.”

This helps employers understand the relevance of the experience and the type of work you were exposed to.

3. Company-Specific Certificates & Credentials

What it is

Company-specific certifications are credentials offered directly by companies like Microsoft, IBM, and Cisco to validate your knowledge of their tools, platforms, or technologies.

Most certifications are very accessible. There is usually no application process, prior work experience, or student requirement. You can typically start learning immediately through self-paced courses and earn the credential by passing an exam.

Certifications are most valuable when they are directly relevant to the roles or companies you are targeting. For example, Microsoft certifications can be valuable for cloud, AI, and data-related roles, while Cisco certifications like the CCNA are highly respected in networking, IT, and cybersecurity.

They help signal:

  • initiative

  • technical competency

  • familiarity with industry-standard tools

  • and willingness to learn independently

🌟 Real-World Example: I had two close friends land internships at Cisco and Cisco Meraki, one of them as a freshman, and both credited having the Cisco CCNA certification as a major competitive advantage. Similarly, when I worked at Disney, Microsoft certifications carried a lot of weight because my organization heavily relied on the Microsoft ecosystem internally.

How to get started

A good place to start is with beginner or “fundamentals” certifications.

Microsoft offers certifications in areas like AI, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and data analytics through Microsoft Learn. IBM offers programs through IBM SkillsBuild and IBM Training, while Cisco certifications like the CCNA are widely recognized in IT and cybersecurity.

One important thing to understand is that certifications are strongest when paired with another form of bridge experience like projects, hackathons, research, or internships.

✍️ Special Notes & Recommendations:

Some colleges and universities have partnerships with these programs. For example, IBM SkillsBuild currently offers Cybersecurity and Data Analytics certificate pathways through university partners, and some students can even receive college credit for completing them.

Microsoft Learn also offers certifications tailored to specific career paths:

How to position it

Certifications should live in a “Certifications” or “Professional Development” section on your resume and LinkedIn profile.

The most important thing is relevance. Employers are much more impressed by one highly relevant certification than five random ones.

Certifications are not magic golden tickets, but they are a strong way to demonstrate technical knowledge and proactive learning while you are still building traditional work experience.

4. Volunteering

What it is

Volunteering can be a solid form of bridge experience, especially when you are early in your career and still trying to build relevant skills. While it is generally not as strong as internships, research, or projects, it can help demonstrate initiative, professionalism, and real-world experience when positioned correctly.

That said, not all volunteering is created equal.

One very important thing to understand is that legitimate volunteering should typically be done through a government-recognized nonprofit organization, such as a 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4). There is no such thing as “volunteering” for a for-profit company. If a company is generating profit and asking you to work for free (specifically, creating things of value), that is usually just unpaid labor.

How to get started

A great place to find volunteer opportunities is through your school’s volunteer fairs, career center, student organizations, local community organizations, religious organizations, or nonprofit job boards.

The key is being strategic about what you volunteer to do.

If possible, you want your volunteer work to align directly with the type of career you are targeting. For example, someone interested in marketing could help manage a nonprofit’s social media presence, while someone interested in software engineering might help redesign a nonprofit’s website or build internal tools.

The more closely your volunteer work resembles real work in your target industry, the more valuable it becomes as bridge experience.

✨ Great Real-World Example: Personally, my own volunteer work didn’t play a role in me getting any of my roles; I did lots of volunteer work in high school and college, but nothing that was relevant. HOWEVER, I had a fellow Disney intern/co-worker who was hired specifically for her extensive volunteer web development work. If my memory serves me correctly, she did volunteer web development work for 3 different nonprofits during her freshman year. This was a fantastic addition to her resume because the skills she demonstrated in these volunteer capacities were very (like 10/10) relevant to the job she had at Disney (web development & automation).

How to position it

Volunteer experience can absolutely live in your “Experience” section on your resume, especially if the work was highly relevant to your target role.

The key is to frame it around:

  • the work you actually performed

  • the skills you used

  • and the impact you created

Employers care far more about what you did than whether you were paid to do it.

5. Freelancing

What it is

Freelancing is one of the most accessible ways to start building real-world experience, especially in fields like marketing, graphic design, video editing, social media, writing, and web development.

The barrier to starting is fairly low. Anybody can create a portfolio, offer a service, and begin looking for clients. The harder part is learning how to consistently land work in an increasingly competitive market, especially on platforms with global talent pools.

That said, freelancing is still incredibly valuable bridge experience because it demonstrates:

  • real client work

  • communication skills

  • project ownership

  • and the ability to independently deliver results

In many ways, freelancing forces you to develop professional skills quickly because you are essentially running a mini business.

How to get started

Popular platforms like Fiverr and Upwork are common starting points for beginners.

For students interested in creative, marketing, or social media work, I also highly recommend Home From College Gigs, which regularly posts freelance and contract opportunities specifically geared toward students and early career talent.

You can also start smaller than you think. Some of the best first freelance opportunities come from student organizations, local businesses, nonprofits, family friends, or startups that need extra help.

Early on, the goal is less about making a ton of money and more about building relevant experience, portfolio pieces, and proof of work.

How to position it

Freelance work should absolutely live in the “Experience” section of your resume and LinkedIn profile.

Focus on:

  • the type of clients you worked with

  • the work you delivered

  • the results you achieved

  • and the skills/tools you used

Strong freelance experience signals independence, adaptability, and initiative, all of which employers value heavily in early career candidates.

6. Case Competitions & Hackathons

What it is

Case competitions and hackathons more or less fall under the same umbrella as projects, because that is typically how they will appear on your resume.

The difference is that these experiences are usually time-bound, collaborative, and centered around solving a specific challenge or problem. Depending on the field, that might mean building a technical product, developing a business strategy, creating a marketing campaign, or pitching a solution to judges.

Barrier to entry can vary a lot. Some competitions are completely open-entry, while others are highly selective.

Even beginner-friendly competitions can be incredibly valuable bridge experience because they simulate the type of fast-paced, collaborative problem-solving that happens in real workplaces. They also demonstrate initiative, teamwork, communication skills, and the ability to execute under pressure.

In some cases, these competitions can even lead directly to internships, mentorship opportunities, funding, or full-time job offers.

How to get started

A great place to start is through your university, since many schools host internal hackathons, startup competitions, and case competitions throughout the year. There are also large national and international competitions that welcome beginners.

If you are brand new, do not let the word “hackathon” intimidate you. Many participants attend specifically to learn, network, and gain experience.

The easiest way to think about these experiences is:
“structured opportunities to build resume-worthy projects quickly.”

✨ My Recommendations

How to position it

Hackathons and competitions can typically live in a “Projects” or “Experience” section on your resume.

Focus on:

  • what you built or proposed

  • the skills you used

  • and the outcomes/results of the project

For example, instead of saying:
“Participated in a hackathon”

you want to frame it more like:
↳ “Collaborated with a team of four to develop a campus safety mobile application during a 48-hour hackathon, winning 2nd place out of 50 teams.”

That framing turns the experience from “student activity” into relevant, outcome-driven experience.

7. Externships

What it is

Externships are short-term experiential learning opportunities that allow students to observe and experience what a particular career or company is actually like. Think of them as a mix of job shadowing, professional development, and hands-on learning.

Unlike internships, which often last several months, externships are usually completed over a few days or weeks and are often unpaid since the primary goal is exposure and learning rather than long-term contribution to a company.

Externships can include:

  • job shadowing

  • workshops/networking sessions

  • small projects or assignments

  • and exposure to different career paths or company workflows

One of the biggest advantages of externships is that they are generally much easier to attain than traditional internships because they are shorter-term and lower-risk for employers.

They are especially valuable for students who are still trying to figure out:
“What does this job actually look like day-to-day?”

How to get started

One of the best platforms for finding externships is Extern, which offers remote experiential learning opportunities across industries like technology, consulting, marketing, finance, and more.

Many universities also promote externships through career centers, alumni networks, and employer partnerships.

✨ My Thoughts & Recommendations on Extern:

Extern offers a free trial, and then has a subscription priced at $10/month. Personally, in this current job market, I do think this is actually worth it (if you don’t have any other relevant experience). When I was a college student, I thought of everything (money-wise) in the context of Starbucks & Taco Bell. My Starbucks order was about $5 and I love the crunchy tacos from Taco Bell (~$2.50 each). So to have the money for a subscription like this, I’d have to sacrifice two days worth of Starbucks orders or 4 Taco Bell tacos. Not too bad, right?

I know finances as a college student can be tough (I funded my entire college education and have been financially independent since I was 17), but trust me when I say, squaring a little bit of money away for professional development (certificates, professional development subscriptions like Extern and Resume Worded, conferences, etc) has been one of the best and highest ROI investments of my money I’ve ever made. For every dollar I made from my internships, odd jobs, and leftover scholarship money, I’d save at least 5-10% for professional development.

Anyhow, here’s some of my personal picks from Extern.com —

  • HP Tech Ventures Deal Sourcing & Startup Analysis — VC & Finance

  • Deal Sourcing & Startup Analysis with Mangusta Capital — VC & Finance

  • Beats by Dre Data Analytics: Qualitative & Quantitative Insights — Data Analytics

  • TikTok Social Media Content & Brand Strategy — Marketing & Social Media

  • Product Innovation with BeReal — Product Management

How to position it

Externships can usually be listed in an “Experience,” “Projects,” or “Professional Development” section on your resume and LinkedIn profile.

The key is focusing on:

  • what you learned

  • the projects or assignments you completed

  • and the professional skills you developed

For example, instead of simply saying:
↳ “Completed an externship”

you could say:
↳ “Completed a remote product management externship focused on user research, competitive analysis, and product strategy development.”

Even though externships are shorter-term experiences, they still help demonstrate initiative, career exploration, and relevant industry exposure, especially for students who are still early in building professional experience.

8. Micro-Internships

What it is

Micro-internships are short-term, paid professional projects designed for students and early career professionals. Unlike traditional internships that may last an entire semester or summer, micro-internships are typically project-based and can range from a few hours to a few weeks.

One of the most popular platforms for finding these opportunities is Parker Dewey, which connects students with paid, resume-building projects in areas like market research, data analysis, social media strategy, coding, business research, and more.

Micro-internships are one of the most underrated forms of bridge experience because they provide real-world, relevant work experience without requiring the same level of commitment or risk as a traditional internship. From a company’s perspective, it is much easier to say “yes” to a short-term project than a full internship program, which is part of what makes these opportunities generally easier to break into.

How to get started

The best place to start is Parker Dewey, where students can browse and apply for short-term opportunities across industries and functions.

When applying, focus on projects that align closely with the type of work you eventually want to do full-time. Even a small project can become valuable relevant experience if it mirrors the skills required for your target role.

How to position it

Micro-internships should absolutely be treated as professional experience on your resume and LinkedIn profile.

The key is focusing on:

  • the project you worked on

  • the skills/tools you used

  • and the impact or outcome of your work

For example, instead of saying:
↳ “Completed a Parker Dewey micro-internship”

you could say:
↳ “Conducted competitor research and developed a market analysis presentation for a startup through a short-term Parker Dewey consulting project.”

Even though the experience may be shorter-term, employers still recognize it as real client or company work, which can make it especially valuable early in your career.

9. Campus Internship Programs

What it is

Campus internship programs are internship opportunities tied directly to your university. These can include internships with your university itself, local employer partnerships, alumni-connected opportunities, or companies that recruit specifically from your campus.

These internships are not necessarily easy to get, but they are often much easier to break into than large national internship programs because the applicant pool is smaller. Instead of competing against students nationwide, you are usually competing only against students from your university.

That smaller playing field can make a huge difference when you are still building experience.

How to get started

The best place to find campus internships is usually your university’s career center or Handshake, which many schools use as their primary recruiting platform.

Career fairs, employer networking events, alumni programs, and department newsletters can also be great sources for finding opportunities that are not heavily advertised elsewhere.

One of the biggest mistakes students make is assuming only prestigious national internships “count.” In reality, smaller campus-connected internships can still provide:

  • relevant experience

  • professional references

  • resume credibility

  • and transferable skills that help you land bigger opportunities later on

Sometimes your first internship is not your dream internship. It is the bridge that helps you get there.

✨ Here’s some examples of real-world campus internship programs!

How to position it

Campus internships should be positioned exactly like any other professional internship on your resume and LinkedIn profile.

The focus should be on:

  • the work you performed

  • the skills/tools you used

  • and the impact you contributed

Employers care much more about the relevance of your experience than whether the internship came from a Fortune 500 company or a campus-connected employer.

A strong internship is a strong internship.

10. Education + Experience Building Programs

What it is

Education and experience-building programs are structured programs designed to help students and early career professionals develop skills, gain hands-on experience, and prepare for internships or full-time jobs.

Unlike traditional internships, these programs are usually centered around a combination of:

  • educational curriculum

  • technical or professional training

  • mentorship

  • career development

  • and hands-on project experience

There is not really one standardized format for these programs, which is why they can sometimes be hard to categorize. Some operate almost like bootcamps, while others function more like fellowships, training academies, or career accelerators.

Programs like Girls Who Code, CodePath, SEO, MLT, and COOP Careers are all examples of organizations that help students build both skills and resume-worthy experience before landing traditional internships or jobs.

One important thing to understand is that these programs are usually tuition-free, but also unpaid. Since they are typically educational or nonprofit-driven initiatives rather than direct employment opportunities, participants are generally not treated as employees. That said, some programs do offer small educational stipends, scholarships, housing support, or other financial assistance.

These programs can be incredibly valuable because they are intentionally designed for beginners and early career talent. Many are also specifically focused on supporting students from underserved or underrepresented backgrounds.

How to get started

Most of these programs require an application process, and some can still be quite selective depending on the size and reputation of the organization.

That said, they are often significantly more accessible than traditional internship pipelines because they are specifically designed to help students become competitive candidates.

A good place to start is researching organizations related to your target industry or identity-based communities you are a part of. Many universities, career centers, and student organizations also regularly promote these opportunities.

One of the biggest benefits of these programs is that they often provide far more than just technical training. Many also include:

  • mentorship

  • networking opportunities

  • resume and interview preparation

  • community support

  • and direct recruiting pipelines to employers

Which can be especially helpful if you are navigating the professional world for the first time.

✨ Here’s some programs that I personally love and am partial to:

  • Girls Who Code, College/Workforce Programs (I’m an alum!) — GWC has leadership and technical development and training programs for program alumni (college—early career) to build relevant experience and transition smoothly into tech careers. Programming is always evolving and changing but a few past programs they’ve run — Technical Interview Prep, Fall Leadership Academy (I did this one), and Work Prep (with partner companies like RTX and Accenture).

    • Who it’s for: Girls Who Code program alumni in college or first 1-3 years of their career, pursuing a role in tech

  • CodePath — CodePath provides highly relevant technical training through summer courses that can also function as “relevant experience” on your resume. For this upcoming summer, they have pathways in Applied AI Engineering, Technical Interview Prep, Web Development, and Cybersecurity. Deadline to apply for this summer’s session is May 17!

    • Who it’s for: Currently enrolled college students

  • COOP Careers Fellowship — The COOP Careers Fellowship is a structured fellowship for first-generation and low-income college graduates facing unemployment and underemployment that offers 3 different career tracks (Data Analytics, Digital Marketing, and Financial Services). The application is currently open!

  • SEO (Sponsors for Educational Opportunity) — a career development and internship pipeline program that helps underrepresented students break into highly competitive industries like investment banking, consulting, technology, and corporate law. SEO is especially known for its rigorous training, mentorship, and direct recruiting connections with top companies.

    • Who it’s for: Undergraduate students from underrepresented or underserved backgrounds who are interested in competitive, high-paying professional industries.

  • MLT (Management Leadership for Tomorrow) — a professional development organization focused on helping high-achieving students from underrepresented backgrounds build leadership skills and access career opportunities in industries like business, consulting, finance, and technology. MLT programs often include mentorship, career coaching, networking opportunities, and direct employer connections.

    • Who it’s for: Undergraduate students from underrepresented backgrounds who demonstrate strong academic and leadership potential and are interested in becoming future business and industry leaders.

  • Year Up — a workforce development program that provides students with technical and professional skills training combined with internship experience at major companies. The program is designed to help young adults launch careers in fields like IT, business operations, cybersecurity, and software development, and participants may also receive educational stipends during the program.

    • Who’s it for: Young adults (often without traditional four-year college pathways or extensive professional experience) who are looking to build career-ready technical and professional skills

  • The HeadStart Fellowship — a virtual fellowship that runs during the Spring and Fall semesters and prepares students for roles in technology, finance, and consulting. Fellows participate in weekly general education sessions, bi-weekly vertical-specific training, corporate sponsor events, mentorship, small group sessions, speaker series, and networking opportunities with industry professionals and other fellows.

    • Who it’s for: First and second-year students enrolled at a U.S. college, university, or institution who can commit around 3 to 4 hours per week to the program.

How to position it

These programs can usually be listed in an “Experience,” “Leadership,” or “Professional Development” section on your resume and LinkedIn profile, depending on the structure of the program and the work involved.

The key is focusing on:

  • the projects you completed

  • the skills you developed

  • and any measurable outcomes or deliverables

For example, instead of simply listing:
↳ “Completed CodePath program”

you want to highlight the actual experience gained through the program, such as:
↳ “Completed a technical interview preparation and iOS development program through CodePath, building multiple mobile applications using Swift and collaborating in Agile team environments.”

The strongest applications of these programs position them not just as educational experiences, but as proof of relevant, hands-on skill development.

11. Research

What it is

Research experience typically involves working with a professor, university lab, or research team to investigate a specific topic or problem. Depending on the field, this can include analyzing data, reviewing academic literature, running experiments, building models, or contributing to published papers.

Personally, I do not think research is necessarily the best resume-building experience for most students unless you are specifically interested in research-oriented career paths. However, it can be extremely valuable for students targeting areas like AI/ML, data science, economics, biotechnology, or corporate research divisions at companies like Microsoft and Amazon, both of which regularly hire undergraduate research interns.

How to get started

One of the biggest advantages of research is that you can sometimes bypass formal recruiting processes simply by building relationships with professors. Many students get started by attending office hours, expressing genuine interest in a topic, or directly reaching out to faculty members about opportunities to assist with research.

I personally did not do research in college, so I am definitely not the world’s foremost expert on this topic. However, my mentee Fatimah, who is an amazing creator with 200K+ followers across social media, has a fantastic video breaking down practical strategies for getting involved in undergraduate research opportunities.

How to position it

Research experience can live in your “Experience,” “Research,” or “Projects” section depending on the nature of the work.

The key is focusing less on academic jargon and more on:

  • the skills you developed

  • the tools/methodologies you used

  • and the outcomes of your work

Especially if you are applying to non-academic roles.

12. Fellowships & Job Shadowing Opportunities

What it is

Fellowships and job shadowing opportunities are structured programs designed to give students exposure to a particular industry or career path through mentorship, networking, training, and hands-on learning.

Some fellowships function almost like mini internships with projects and deliverables, while others are more educational or mentorship-focused. Job shadowing experiences are usually shorter-term and observational, allowing students to follow professionals and better understand what a role actually looks like day-to-day.

One important thing to note is that fellowships are much more common in certain industries than others. For example, they are especially common in venture capital, startups, entrepreneurship, policy, and social impact spaces.

How to get started

Fellowships are often found through LinkedIn, company websites, university career centers, startup/VC newsletters, professional communities, and creator opportunity roundups (👀).

Job shadowing opportunities are usually more relationship-driven and often come through professors, alumni networks, networking conversations, or direct outreach.

Even a short shadowing experience can provide valuable industry context and help you decide whether a career path is actually a good fit for you.

✨ Real-World Examples from my own experience

I did several fellowships in college while exploring different career paths, especially venture capital and product management.

  • Soma Capital VC Fellowship — very experiential and project-based. I came in knowing almost nothing about VC and left having learned a TON through founder interviews and writing deal memos. Very “thrown into the deep end” energy 😭

  • Daydream Ventures Fellowship — honestly felt like a “Venture Capital 101” class with incredible guest speakers and networking opportunities. One of the few unpaid fellowships I genuinely felt was worth it.

  • Venturous — a paid fellowship where I mapped out my city’s VC ecosystem. This experience helped me become super plugged into the startup and economic development scene locally.

  • NEA Fellowship — another experiential VC fellowship where I eventually carved out a niche supporting creator economy portfolio companies because of my background in content creation.

  • Product Jam (Product Buds) — a sprint-style PM bootcamp focused on product design, GTM strategy, and pitching. I ended up placing 3rd and gained an amazing mentor from the experience.

  • Girls Who Code Leadership Academy — a leadership-focused fellowship with educational sessions and a capstone project centered around leadership pathways in tech.

How to position it

Fellowships can live in an “Experience,” “Leadership,” or “Professional Development” section on your resume and LinkedIn profile.

Focus on:

  • projects completed

  • mentorship/training received

  • industry exposure gained

  • and measurable outcomes or deliverables

Job shadowing experiences are usually less resume-heavy, but they can still be great talking points during interviews and networking conversations.

13. “Pre-Internship” Programs

What it is

Pre-internship programs are company-run early talent pipeline programs designed to prepare students for future internships and recruiting opportunities. These programs are especially common in industries like finance, technology, consulting, and quant trading. Not every industry has them.

They are called “pre-internship” programs because they are almost always tied directly to a specific company. Depending on the program, they may include mentorship, workshops, networking events, technical training, or professional development sessions.

These programs can be highly competitive, but they are one of the best ways to get an “in” at a company early in your career. Many come with a guaranteed interview, expedited recruiting process, or direct pipeline into future internship opportunities.

How to get started

The best place to find pre-internship programs is through company careers pages, LinkedIn, Handshake, and early career opportunity newsletters/roundups.

If you are interested in industries like investment banking, consulting, or big tech, I highly recommend searching specifically for “[Company Name] pre-internship program” or “[Company Name] sophomore/freshman program.”

✍️ Morgan Note: Pre-internship programs are frankly a WHOLE other topic in and of themselves, so trust me, I will be doing a separate/standalone article about these.

✨ Here’s a list of some of my fav pre-internship programs:

…more recs to come in my full-length article about Pre-Internship programs!

How to position it

Pre-internship programs can live in an “Experience,” “Leadership,” or “Professional Development” section on your resume and LinkedIn profile.

Focus on:

  • the training and mentorship you received

  • projects or workshops completed

  • and any exposure to industry-specific skills or recruiting processes.

14. College Consulting Clubs

What it is

College consulting clubs are student-run organizations that function almost like mini consulting firms. Members work on real-world strategy, marketing, operations, or research projects for actual companies, startups, nonprofits, and clients.

In my opinion, these are some of the best bridge experiences you can get because the work is often incredibly high-quality and directly relevant to industries like consulting, product, business, and strategy.

That said, these clubs are not accessible to everyone. Not every university has them, and at schools that do, the recruitment process can honestly be brutal. The running joke is that some consulting clubs are harder to get into than the universities themselves 😭

I did not go to a school with consulting clubs, but I’ve spoken for several over the years and have seen firsthand how impressive the experience can be.

🌟 Funny/somewhat painful anecdote: I made final rounds for the Salesforce APM Internship my junior year and did not get it. Naturally, like any chronic overthinker and LinkedIn stalker, I went to look at the profiles of the students who did get it. One girl in particular had done THREE insanely cool consulting club projects with companies like Carvana and NBCUniversal during college. And honestly? The second I saw that, I was like: “Oh. Yeah. There was absolutely no way I was beating that.” 😭

That is how powerful these experiences can be.

How to get started

If your university has consulting clubs, applications are usually posted at the beginning of each semester through campus involvement fairs, LinkedIn, or business/student organization pages.

Recruitment often includes applications, behavioral interviews, and even case interviews, especially at more competitive schools.

Shout-out to the clubs who taught me a thing or two about consulting clubs and invited me to their chapters to speak (love y’all ❤️ ) — Harvard Undergraduate Data Analytics Group (HDAG), UPenn REACH, Backpack Communications (U of Minnesota).

How to position it

Consulting club experience should absolutely live in the “Experience” section of your resume and LinkedIn profile.

Focus on:

  • the clients you worked with

  • the business problems you solved

  • and the deliverables or recommendations your team created

These experiences are especially valuable because they often mirror the type of work done in actual internships and entry-level business roles.

15. Freshman & Sophomore Internship Programs

What it is

Freshman and sophomore internship programs are internships specifically designed for early undergraduate students. Unlike traditional internship programs, which are often dominated by juniors, these opportunities recruit exclusively from first and second-year students.

That does not mean they are easy to get into. In fact, many of these programs are extremely competitive because they are viewed as early pipelines into top companies.

However, they are some of the few opportunities that are truly designed for students with limited experience. Companies recruiting for these programs understand that applicants are still very early in their college and professional journeys.

These programs are especially common in industries like finance, consulting, and technology.

How to get started

The best place to find these opportunities is through company careers pages, LinkedIn, Handshake, and early career recruiting newsletters/roundups.

You can usually find them by searching terms like:

  • “Freshman internship”

  • “Sophomore internship”

  • “Early careers program”

  • or “Discovery program”

✨ A handful of my recommendations:

How to position it

These should be positioned exactly like any other internship on your resume and LinkedIn profile.

Focus on:

  • the work you performed

  • the skills you developed

  • and the impact of your contributions

Even though these programs are targeted toward underclassmen, they still carry significant weight with future recruiters and employers.

A Closing Thought

I genuinely think this might be one of my favorite articles I’ve ever written for The Inside Track 🥹

This article took me over a week to research, compile, organize, and write, but honestly? This was EXACTLY the kind of resource I desperately needed as a freshman in college.

When I started college, I had absolutely no idea how people were getting internships, building experience, networking, or “breaking into” industries. It felt like everyone else had been secretly handed a playbook that I somehow missed out on.

And the truth is, a lot of students are missing the playbook.

That’s why I’m so proud and excited to put this article out into the world, because this is one small step toward a much bigger mission of mine:

Building the ultimate FREE online “Career 101” help center.

Because here’s the thing: there is no class called “Career 101.”

Nobody sits you down and teaches you:

  • how recruiting works

  • how to build experience

  • how to network

  • how to position yourself professionally

  • or how to navigate the modern workforce

And I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: not all university career centers are built equal.

Career knowledge and resources like these should not be limited to students at elite universities or students with insider connections. This information should be accessible to EVERYONE.

So with that being said, I want these “help center” articles to answer your biggest career questions.

If you have a burning question, confusing topic, or article idea you’d love for me to cover next, PLEASE let me know here » Career 101 Article Request Form.