For aspiring journalists, especially those with no experience, securing that first internship can feel like a daunting task. This guide will give you the tools and strategies needed to navigate the internship process and land an opportunity that can boost your career and skills.
Why Internships Matter
Many college journalism programs require internships as part of the degree plan for good reason. Administrators know that in this industry, internships are necessary to provide a launchpad for aspiring journalists. Even if your school doesn’t require them, you still need to be pursuing opportunities. Experience is the most important attribute a journalist can have, and you need to find every which way to get more articles in your portfolio and improve your abilities.
Internships allow you to put classroom knowledge to the test. You’ll gain hands-on experience conducting interviews, researching stories, writing articles, and potentially contributing to different media platforms. This real-world exposure sharpens your writing skills, builds proficiency in industry best practices, and deepens your understanding of the journalism workflow.
Articles, interviews, or multimedia content you create during your internship showcase your abilities and become tangible evidence of your skills for potential employers. Remember that you need to also be working for your school’s newspaper/yearbook in addition to truly boost your portfolio.
Internships offer a chance to explore diverse journalism paths. You might discover a passion for investigative journalism, be great in the fast-paced world of broadcast news, or explore the nuances of social media journalism. This exploration helps you identify areas that align with your interests and career goals.
Where to Find Your Internship
The journalism internship landscape offers a variety of exciting possibilities. Here’s where you can begin your search and establish an idea of what to expect:
University Resources
Most universities offer career centers that provide resources and guidance for internship placement. Utilize their job boards, attend career fairs targeting media companies, and participate in resume and cover letter workshops tailored specifically for journalism fields. Also, your journalism department might have its own internship program or maintain a list of internship opportunities relevant to your focus area (e.g., broadcast journalism, investigative journalism). This can include other departments at your school and/or organizations. Professors can also be valuable sources of internship leads and recommendations.
Local & National Media Outlets
Many national media outlets offer competitive summer internship programs. Research your dream publications and keep an eye out for internship postings on their career pages. Local newspapers, TV stations, and online publications often also offer internship opportunities. These can be fantastic avenues to gain experience in a niche community, which can be extremely beneficial further along in your career.
Sports Teams & Outlets
Sports teams and media platforms are known to look for summer interns in various print, social media, or broadcast roles. During my college years, I secured two internships with summer collegiate baseball teams.
My first internship ever was with a college summer baseball team in Minnesota called the Duluth Huskies, where I wrote over 100 articles as the team’s writer. I got this internship despite having only one previous experience as a volunteer staff writer for a blog site. The second internship was with the Orange County Riptide in a similar role where I controlled the distribution of content among media outlets and wrote stories/content as part of a team of writers.
These experiences exposed me to the daily grind of journalism, from doing interviews and generating content to meeting deadlines and distributing content. They also significantly boosted my portfolio and credibility as someone who can meet numerous deadlines and make content without direct oversight.
The beauty of baseball journalism internships specifically is that they’re available across the country. Leagues and teams from the Northeast to the West Coast rely on interns to keep their content flowing. Even if sports journalism isn’t your ultimate goal, these internships offer an excellent way to gain daily writing experience and develop your storytelling skills. Google ‘summer college baseball internships’ to see more.
Larger national sports leagues (i.e. NFL, MLB, NBA) and their teams also usually have their internship programs, but don’t just stop looking after those options go away. There are many levels of competition and leagues within each sport where you can find an opportunity for content creation, and not just with baseball.
Having a Strong Application
Now that you know where to look for internships, let’s focus on crafting an application that stands out.
A strong portfolio is your professional calling card, showcasing your best work and highlighting your journalistic strengths. Let’s go over how to build one even if you haven’t already done an internship. Remember, your portfolio doesn’t have to be filled with paid work. The key is to showcase your writing skills, storytelling ability, and passion for journalism.
Building a Portfolio (Without Experience)
A strong portfolio is your professional calling card, showcasing your best work and highlighting your journalistic strengths. Here are tips to build yours:
- Did you contribute to your campus newspaper or write a really good story in class? Feature those pieces prominently in your portfolio.
- Have you written freelance articles for online publications or local newspapers? Showcase them alongside creative writing or blog posts that demonstrate your writing prowess.
- If you possess photography or videography skills, incorporate multimedia content into your portfolio. This showcases your ability to tell stories using various formats. Journalists nowadays have to have these skills, so make yourself an attractive candidate by highlighting them.
- Your portfolio doesn’t require a collection of paid work, and these places you’re applying to know this. The key is to demonstrate your writing skills, storytelling ability, and unique passion for the position.
Tailoring Your Resume to Each Internship
Creating a generic resume won’t cut it. Tailor your resume to each specific internship opportunity, highlighting relevant skills and experiences mentioned in the job description.
- Start with a compelling objective statement that summarizes your education, goals, and specific interest in this particular internship.
- Education matters. List your current program, expected graduation date, GPA (if it’s 3.0 or higher), and any academic achievements or awards you’ve accomplished.
- Highlight relevant experience and include any part-time jobs, volunteer experiences, or prior internships (even if not journalism-related) that demonstrate transferable skills like research, writing, or communication. This shows that you really care about advancing yourself and have a genuine interest in the industry.
Crafting a Cover Letter that Grabs Attention
Your cover letter is your chance to shine and showcase your passion for journalism. Here’s how to write one that stands out:
- Be Specific, not generic. Don’t simply regurgitate your resume and go into specific details that explain why you’re interested in this internship and the organization itself. Research the publication or media outlet, mention something you admire about their work, and demonstrate your knowledge of their target audience.
- Remember that cover letters are about tying your experience and desires with the company and its job description.
Securing Strong References
Strong references can make your application stand out. Ask professors, teachers, previous employers, or mentors who can speak to your work ethic, writing skills, and potential to write compelling reference letters in support of your application.
Things to Remember
- Internships are (often) Unpaid – While some internships offer stipends, many are unpaid experiences. Don’t apply for them expecting otherwise. Focus on the valuable learning experience and portfolio-building opportunities these internships provide.
- Embrace the Grind – Internships can be demanding, but your initiative and willingness to learn will be noticed. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, shadow coworkers/superiors, and take on new challenges to maximize your learning.
- You Can Land an Internship Without Experience – Focus on highlighting your transferable skills, passion for journalism, and willingness to learn. Remember, outlets are looking for cheap, enthusiastic individuals who can contribute fresh perspectives. That’s you.
- Persistence is Key – Landing an internship might require multiple applications and a bit of perseverance. Don’t get discouraged by rejections, and instead probe to find out why you were rejected. Then, refine your application materials and keep searching.
Remember that having initiative, a willingness to learn, and a genuine enthusiasm for the field are valuable assets.
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