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New grad resume with no internships: projects that count as experience

2026-06-12 · 4 min read

New grads on Reddit without FAANG internships feel doomed. Recruiters hire **proof of execution**—internship is one path, not the only one.

**What counts** - Production-ish side projects with users or metrics. - OSS contributions with merged PRs and impact. - Hackathons with shipped demos. - Research with artifacts.

**Frame like experience** Project name → stack → outcome → link. Mirror JD keywords honestly.

Pair a tailored resume with mock behavioral questions about conflict, failure, and teamwork—new grads get tested on potential and clarity, not only pedigree.

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