A couple of years ago, I was sitting at my kitchen table, staring at my laptop with at least ten tabs open, I was wondering if I could enter the tech field without having tech-related education, experience, or connections. I understood that I had to apply for something, but each job sounded like it required more experience than I had. It was at that point that I found out about remote internships. Not only for listing on resumes but truly for making progress.
An internship conducted remotely may help you choose which direction to take, whether you’re entering, switching, or unsure about freelancing or tech. I’m going to explain how I tackled the topic, the methods that helped, and what I learned along the way. I wish that by then, you will be more confident about getting a remote internship that can help your career.
Remote Internships Should Be Your Way In
Taking an online remote internship is not limited to college students. As long as you want real-world experience and can’t move or manage costly commutes, they’re the right choice. You can work how you want, experience different fields, and there is less pressure during your studies.
Here’s why I leaned into them:
- They allow me to learn while I am at work.
- I could look for jobs in other cities and countries.
- I could observe what it means to be on a team, despite never having learned it formally.
Wanting to pursue a tech or creative job online? This experience will be invaluable.
Start With Clarity: What Do You Want to Learn?
Before using any applications, I took a good look at what my goals were. Not weird or trendy styles, but what captured my attention.
Ask yourself:
- What kind of problems do I enjoy solving?
- What kind of tasks energize me (writing, designing, coding, helping people)?
- Where do I see myself in a year?
For me, the answer was building and storytelling. I appreciated using Canva, was fascinated with understanding how products were designed, and liked turning my ideas into drawings or text. For this reason, I turned my attention to product design and content.
Even if you are unclear, exploring one or two majors can help you concentrate your efforts.
Build the Foundation First
You can use your general knowledge. You only have to prove that you are eager to gain new knowledge and already have some experience. Here are the things that helped me seem trustworthy before landing my first role.
- Took a few short online courses: Attended several online courses, with the first ones being freeCodeCamp and the LinkedIn Learning UX course.
- Built mini-projects: I worked on several projects for friends and myself, such as a side-business site, presenting my portfolio on Notion, and creating a blog article discussing a tool I tried.
- Created a small portfolio: Collected a small portfolio: With no fancy touches, it only included what I was developing and explained it simply.
- Posted my progress online: I posted my progress on LinkedIn showing off my skills helped others notice me and helped me connect with them.
Don’t put your art aside until you consider yourself ready. Don’t worry about mistakes; you’ll improve your skills as you go.
How to Find Places That Offer Remote Internships
Finding these types of remote internships can be hard work, yet there are many genuine ones to be had. Fortunately, I found the best results here:
- LinkedIn: On LinkedIn, enter “remote internship” as your search term and set the filters to recent.
- AngelList (now Wellfound: AngelList (now Wellfound) is helpful if you are looking for a startup internship and don’t have experience.
- Tech and freelance job boards: Sites that advertise technology and freelance jobs: Remote OK, Internships.com, Chegg Internships, and more.
- Slack and Discord: Register with groups that are related to your area of interest. People sometimes spread news of available remote internships among their peers.
- Direct outreach: I chose a few firms I really liked and sent out emails asking them if they could offer an internship. A number of them responded in the negative. One of the couples agreed.
Pro Tip: When meeting with small business owners, try to teach them your skills and they will usually be more helpful to you if they see you’re passionate about it.
Make Your Application Stand Out (Even Without a Fancy Resume)
When I began the application process, I didn’t know about technology. I did have energy, handled a few small tasks, and could build relationships with my students.
This is the way I tackled every application:
- Customized each cover letter: I wrote a different version of the letter for each company I applied to. In 3-4 sentences, I talked about how the company interested me, shared my skills I could use, and mentioned what I wished to learn.
- Linked to my work: Regardless of the question, I always linked to my work if it was related or simple.
- Framed my experience: Through customer service, I developed better communication skills. The work I did in my free time revealed my initiative.
One person from HR explained that I lacked the years of experience they wanted, but they still liked my email. I felt it was directed at me. You don’t have to fake confidence. Just be real. Show that you care.
How to Prepare for the Interview
When you get that interview email, take a deep breath. Yes, your heart might race (mine did). But remember: they already like something about you.
Some tips that helped me:
- Research the company: Know what they are all about and highlight an aspect that stands out to you.
- Practice common questions: Many interviews will begin with, “Tell me about yourself,” and “Why do you want this internship?” In addition, they might ask what my goals are.
- Have a story ready: Have something you can tell, related to a project, a problem you solved, or a challenge that you overcame.
- Be honest about your journey: Honestly, I explained to an interviewer that I moved into technology since it allows me to learn and create. This internship feels like a great step to grow.
- During the Internship: Show Up Like You Already Belong
Once you land the internship, treat it like your first job. Show up with curiosity, humility, and reliability.
Here’s what made a difference for me:
- Over-communicate: Let your team know when you start working, when you’re stuck, and what you’ve completed.
- Ask smart questions: Not just “what do I do?” but “why do we do it this way?”
- Take initiative: If you see something that could be improved, offer ideas.
- Keep track of your work: Write weekly summaries. They’ll come in handy later.
Halfway through one of my internships, my manager said, “You’re doing more than we expected. Have you thought about joining us full-time if something opens up?”
That’s when I knew I was on the right path.
When the Internship Ends: Stay Connected and Build On It
If your internship turns into a job offer, amazing! But even if it doesn’t, it’s still a win.
Here’s how to make the most of it:
- Ask for a recommendation: A short LinkedIn testimonial can go a long way.
- Update your portfolio and resume; Highlight what you worked on and learned.
- Follow up: Send thank-you messages to your teammates. Stay in touch.
One of my former managers ended up referring me to a different opportunity months later. Because we stayed connected.
Momentum Matters: Keep Moving Forward
Your first internship isn’t the end goal, it’s the launchpad. Use what you’ve learned to apply for the next thing, whether it’s a job, a freelance gig, or another internship that’s closer to your dream role.
The first one is the hardest to get. After that, you’ve got real experience, a better story, and more confidence.
Final Words: You Don’t Need to Have It All Figured Out
When I was starting, I kept thinking, “What if I’m not cut out for this?” The truth is, nobody knows until they try. The people who make it aren’t always the smartest or most qualified; they’re just the ones who keep showing up.
So show up. Try something new. Reach out to that company. Start that project. Apply for that internship even if you don’t meet every bullet point.
You might be one small step away from an opportunity that changes everything.
And when that happens, I’ll be here cheering you on. You got this.
Also Read: From Zero to Paid: How to Start a Digital Product Side Hustle
