The big-name internship is not the only way in, and chasing it can quietly cut your options out. At a smaller organization the CEO knows your name and you get asked to stretch outside your role a lot faster. That is where the growth actually happens. Early on, chase reps, not a logo your parents recognize.
You do not need a job to build the resume that gets you one. Volunteer and freelance your skills, especially socials. Offer to run a nonprofit or small business account for a summer for your portfolio. Most of them need the help. Now you are the one who grew a real page or raised real money, no big agency required.
Networking is not just Zoom calls and coffee chats. People want to help, but they cannot if you are vague. Have your ask ready: the city, the company, the role you want. Then ask who they know there. And lead with a little value first. The moment someone sees you are in it to be a good person, not to farm a referral, they open up.
Matty's pick for the number one hard skill is AI, and she expects it in interviews soon: how are you using it, how would you teach our team. You have a reverse-mentorship edge because you are closest to learning it. Twenty minutes a day and you are miles ahead in three months, with barely any lift.