How to apply for internship without experience in a Hospital, NGO and College

One of the most common misconceptions that students have about how to get an internship is that they must apply for every position. Instead, focus on your skills and experience and which positions might be a good match.

There are a few ways to narrow down which internships are right for you:

• Think about your degree
• Consider your experience
• Identify transferable skills
• Explore your interests
• Look for remote internships
• Start small

Learning Outcome

By the end of this blog post, you will understand how to apply for internship without experience in a hospital, NGO, or college. You will also learn the strategies to increase your chances of getting selected and how to make a strong impression even without previous experience.

Topic Contents Outline

• Introduction
• Why Internships Matter
• Understanding Internship Requirements for Students
• How to Apply for Internship Without Experience
• Step-by-step Guide: Hospital Internships in Nigeria
• Step-by-step Guide: NGO Internship Jobs in Nigeria
• Step-by-step Guide: College Internships for Students
• How to Get an Internship From Home
• Tips to Strengthen Your Internship Application
• Mistakes to Avoid When Applying for an Internship
• What to Expect After Applying
• Building Confidence Without Experience

Read also: 14 Highest paying public health jobs even in humanitarian settings

Topic Goal

To educate students, fresh graduates, and career starters on how to apply for internship without experience and successfully land internships in hospitals, NGOs, or colleges,especially in Nigeria. This blog will also cover tips for remote internships and provide insight into 2025 summer opportunities.

Introduction

Internships are a great way to start a career journey. But many students and young graduates struggle with one question: How to apply for internship without experience? If you’re reading this, you might be wondering the same thing. You’re not alone. Everyone has to start somewhere. The good news is that there are many ways you can still get selected even without a background of work or internship. In this blog post, we’ll break down everything you need to know about applying for internships in hospitals, NGOs, and colleges — especially when you don’t have any experience.

Whether you’re looking for a hospital internship in Nigeria, a summer NGO internship in 2025, or wondering how to get an internship from home, this guide will help you take the first step.

Read also: Who is a Public Health Nurse and How to Become One

Topic Content

Why Internships Matter

Internships are not just a trend. They give you a taste of real-world work. Internships help you build skills, meet professionals in your field, and learn what jobs suit you best. They are often the gateway to your first full-time job. Even unpaid internships can give you the experience needed to boost your CV.

But what if you have no experience? How can you still land one? The answer is preparation, passion, and persistence. Let’s start with understanding the basic internship requirements for students.

Read also: how to become humanitarian aid worker

Understanding Internship Requirements for Students

Different organizations have different rules. Generally, internship requirements for students include:

• A letter from your school (for college or hospital internships)
• An application form or cover letter
• A CV or resume
• Your availability (start and end dates)
• Sometimes a recommendation letter

However, many hospitals and NGOs understand that students may not have experience yet. They may focus more on your willingness to learn, your field of study, and how you present yourself.

How to Apply for Internship Without Experience

This is the most important part. If you are asking yourself how to apply for internship without experience, here’s your answer:

Write a Good CV: Keep it short and clear. Focus on your education, skills, and achievements in school. List any volunteer work or projects you have done. Mention soft skills like teamwork, communication, and time management.

Create a Strong Cover Letter: This is your chance to explain why you want the internship. Talk about your passion and what you hope to learn. Mention the organization by name and why you want to work with them.

Apply Widely: Don’t wait for the perfect opportunity. Apply to many places. The more you try, the better your chances.

Follow-up: After applying, send a polite email asking for a response. It shows you are serious and responsible.

Step-by-Step Guide: Hospital Internship in Nigeria

If you want a hospital internship in Nigeria, follow these steps:

Find Hospitals That Accept Interns: Search for a list of approved hospitals for internship in Nigeria. Teaching hospitals and general hospitals often accept interns.

Prepare Required Documents: These may include a letter from your school, your CV, and a passport photo.

Send Your Application Early: Hospital internship slots can fill up fast. Apply at least 2-3 months before your desired start date.

Ask About Hospital Internship Salary: Some hospitals pay a small stipend. Others may not. Still, the experience is very valuable.

Be Professional: Dress neatly when you visit or attend interviews. Respect hospital rules and ask questions during your internship.

Read also: How to apply for UNICEF volunteer in Nigeria

Step-by-Step Guide: NGO Internship Jobs in Nigeria

NGOs are a great place to learn and grow. Whether you’re looking for summer 2025 internships or remote roles, here’s how to apply:

Search Online: Look for “NGO internship for students,” “NGO internships summer 2025,” or “NGO internship jobs in Nigeria.” Many NGOs post opportunities on their websites or social media.

Target the Right NGOs: Choose NGOs related to your field or passion. For example, if you like health, look for health-based NGOs.

Send a Personal Email: Introduce yourself and attach your CV. Write a short message about why you want to intern with them.

Offer to Volunteer: Even if they don’t advertise internships, offer to help as a volunteer. Once they see your work, they might offer you an internship.

Be Flexible: Some NGO internships are remote or part-time. Be open to different formats.

Step-by-Step Guide: College Internships for Students

Getting an internship during college is smart. It builds your CV and prepares you for jobs after graduation.

Talk to Your School: Most colleges have a career center. Ask if they have internship partners or suggestions.

Network with Lecturers: Some lecturers know about internship openings and can refer you.

Apply My Internship Early: Many students wait too long. Start searching as early as your second year.

How to Get an Internship in College: Look for on-campus or off-campus opportunities. Even helping with school events or clubs counts as experience.

Use Online Platforms: Websites like Jobberman, LinkedIn, and MyJobMag post internships for students in Nigeria.

How to Get an Internship from Home

Remote internships are a big trend now. They are great if you can’t travel or live far from big cities.

Search Remote Internships: Type “remote internship” or “virtual internship” when searching online.

Focus on Digital Skills: Remote internships often need skills like writing, research, design, social media, or coding.

Stay Professional at Home: Treat it like a real job. Attend meetings on time, dress well on video calls, and deliver work on time.

Read also: 5 Ways to Manage Stress in the Workplace

Tips to Strengthen Your Internship Application

Learn a Skill: Take a free online course. Sites like Coursera or Udemy have many options.

Create a Portfolio: Show your work even if it’s just class projects. It helps employers see what you can do.

Get Recommendations: Ask a teacher to write a short letter about you.

Join a Club or Volunteer Group: These show you are active and involved.

Mistakes to Avoid When Applying for an Internship

Sending the Same CV Everywhere: Customize your CV and cover letter for each place.

Not Following Instructions: Read the application details carefully.

Waiting Too Long to Apply: Opportunities go fast. Apply as soon as you see them.

Ignoring Small Organizations: Big names are popular, but small NGOs and hospitals often have less competition.

What to Expect After Applying

After applying, be patient. Some places reply within days, others may take weeks. If you don’t hear back, follow up politely. Even if you are rejected, ask for feedback. It can help you improve next time.

If accepted, be ready to learn, work hard, and grow. Remember, your attitude matters more than your past experience.

Building Confidence Without Experience

You might feel nervous when applying. That’s normal. Everyone starts somewhere. Focus on what you can do, not what you lack. Show your interest, be curious, and keep learning.

Confidence comes from trying. The more you apply and practice, the better you get. Whether you’re aiming for a hospital internship in Nigeria, an NGO internship for students, or a virtual college internship, remember: your effort matters.

Conclusion

Landing your first internship without experience is not easy, but it’s very possible. You just need to take the right steps. In this blog, we’ve explained how to apply for internship without experience in hospitals, NGOs, and colleges. We also explored how to get an internship from home, how to apply for an internship example strategies, and internship requirements for students.

Now you know that you don’t need a long CV to get started. You only need passion, a good application, and the courage to apply. Begin your journey today. Look for openings, talk to people, and send your applications. Internships open doors, and you can walk through them — even without experience.

Self Assessment

Ask yourself these questions:

• Do I know how to write a CV and cover letter without experience?
• Have I identified hospitals or NGOs I want to apply to?
• Am I aware of internship requirements for students?
• Have I explored remote internship options?
• Am I ready to apply even if I don’t feel fully confident?

If you answered “yes” to most, then you’re on the right path. If not, go back and re-read the sections for more clarity.

References

• Jobberman Nigeria – www.jobberman.com
• MyJobMag – www.myjobmag.com
• Coursera – www.coursera.org
• Udemy – www.udemy.com
• LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com
• Federal Ministry of Health Nigeria
• National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Guidelines
• Official websites of major Nigerian NGOs

Note to Reader: Always confirm internship openings directly from the organization’s website or office. Requirements and timelines may change depending on the organization.