OUT-OF-THE-BOX INTERNSHIPS
Photo by Lewis W. Hine
An internship that prepares you for a journalism job doesn't have to be in journalism, or in your chosen specialty. Below are some out-of-the-box internship possibilities.
StoryCorps tells the often tear-jerking stories of tens of thousands of people in the U.S. through its oral history project. It offers fall or spring internships.
The Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University is a research center that studies Internet freedom and regulation. The internships are open to students in all disciplines.
The Student Press Law Center does an excellent job of defending student press freedom. It also offers internships at its Washington, D.C. offices.
The Pew Research Center offers great experience with data analysis. Under Job Listings, select "intern" on the "position type" menu. (Try using a search engine with "internship" and "Pew Research Center" if no internships come up on the career page.)
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press has its headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, but fights for press freedom across the U.S.
Internships
One of the best ways to start exploring the field of journalism is to try it out. You might start by checking out internships with local news organizations. These are great places to learn about your own community and to start understanding the basics. And you'll be laying the groundwork for internships at national news organizations, which often expect you to have prior internship experience.
Sites to help you get started
The Society of Professional Journalists website provides a page that lists internships, grants, fellowships and scholarships.
Cubreporters is another great resource for finding scholarships, internships and jobs.
New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute is another, and it breaks down its internships into "paid" and "unpaid."
Some internships to check out
The Google Journalism Fellowship program offers internships at several different news organizations.
CBS News offers paid internships to college juniors and seniors. According to the website, interns' duties range from logging tapes, to conducting preliminary interviews, to assisting during camera shoots—or performing "light clerical duties."
CNN internship opportunities vary from photo desk intern to video intern to editorial intern. Check the "New Jobs" section and also click on the "Students" tab at the Turner Broadcasting website.
The New York TImes moved from a summer internship model to a year-long fellowship for recent graduates in 2019, with applications due each fall for the following year. Internships are still offered in business-side departments.
NPR says it discovered current staff members Ari Shapiro, Audie Cornish and Guy Raz through its internship program.
Dow Jones, a division of News Corp that publishes The Wall Street Journal and other business newspapers, offers several interesting internships, including international opportunities.
ESPN internships include Rookie Camp, where you meet other interns and go through orientation.