17 Internship Opportunities to Kick Start Your Career in Journalism

This summer, launch your journalism career with one of 17 fabulous internships.
(Photo by Media Arts Center San Diego Digital Gym, Flickr)

When I talk to students contemplating a career in journalism, the first thing I tell them is that they need to look for great internships to kick start their career. When I was still a j-school student at the University of Cincinnati, internships were built into our curriculum, but that’s not always the case, depending where you go to university. Still, whether or not internships are mandatory for graduation, working as an intern is a smart idea because internships provide real world experience, help students network with professionals, and sharpen your focus when it comes to picking an area of expertise.

I had the good fortune to intern with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati, WCPO-TV‘s Hagit Limor and her investigative journalism team, and even helped launch a non-profit arts collaborative called District A. Every one of these experiences taught me a lot as I started out, and paired with my role as the president of the student chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists at UC, I made contacts who I still count as friends and mentors today, all these years later. Now you can take advantage of similar opportunities!

The Scripps Howard Foundation, based in Cincinnati, provides grants to area non-profit organizations to fund communication internships at places like the Behringer-Crawford Museum, Know Theatre, Big Brothers Big Sisters, March of Dimes, Heritage Village Museum, Children’s Law Center, and 10 other phenomenal organizations. Best of all, these gigs are PAID, which is becoming increasingly rare these days. Student interns will make $10 per hour.

Juniors and seniors studying communication, journalism, public relations or marketing are encouraged to apply. However, these positions are limited to one per student. Download the full list of all 17 internships here, find the opportunity that best meets your interests, then apply directly to the non-profit for consideration. The future is yours, you simply have to seize hold of it!