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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Journalist Intern

💰 $15 - $25 per hour

JournalismMediaInternshipContent CreationCommunications

🎯 Role Definition

As a Journalist Intern, you are a crucial part of our newsroom, bringing fresh perspectives and a hunger to learn. This role is designed to be an immersive, hands-on experience where you will actively contribute to our content pipeline, from the initial story pitch to the final published piece. You will work closely with our team of editors and senior journalists, gaining invaluable mentorship and practical skills in a fast-paced, real-world media environment. Your primary mission is to support the newsgathering process, develop your reporting abilities, and produce compelling content that informs and engages our audience across multiple platforms.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • University/College Journalism Programs
  • Communications or English Majors
  • Freelance Writing Experience

Advancement To:

  • Staff Writer
  • Junior Reporter
  • Content Editor

Lateral Moves:

  • Content Strategist
  • Social Media Manager
  • Public Relations Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Actively participate in daily and weekly editorial meetings, pitching original, well-researched story ideas relevant to our audience and coverage areas.
  • Conduct thorough, fact-based research using a variety of sources, including public records, databases, academic studies, and expert interviews to provide foundational support for news articles.
  • Write, draft, and edit a variety of content formats, including daily news briefs, feature articles, and long-form stories, ensuring all copy is clean, accurate, and adheres to our house style guide and AP Style.
  • Assist senior reporters in the field by shadowing them on assignments, taking detailed notes, and contributing to the newsgathering process for larger investigative pieces.
  • Conduct interviews with sources over the phone, via video conference, and in person, demonstrating professionalism and an ability to ask insightful, probing questions.
  • Perform meticulous fact-checking and source verification on all content prior to publication to uphold the highest standards of journalistic integrity and accuracy.
  • Identify and cultivate a network of sources and contacts within specific beats or communities to generate exclusive story leads and expert commentary.
  • Monitor news wires, competitor websites, press releases, and social media channels for breaking news and trending topics that can be developed into timely content.
  • Transcribe recorded interviews and press conferences accurately and efficiently to support the reporting team.
  • Contribute to the creation of multimedia content, which may include taking photos, recording short videos, or creating simple infographics to accompany articles.
  • Learn and apply SEO best practices to all written content to maximize online visibility and audience reach.
  • Prepare and publish articles using our Content Management System (CMS), ensuring proper formatting, tagging, and inclusion of multimedia elements.
  • Cover local events, press conferences, or community meetings, producing timely and accurate reports on the proceedings.
  • Assist in managing the publication's social media accounts by drafting posts, scheduling content, and engaging with the online community to promote stories.
  • Collaborate with the editorial team to brainstorm headlines, subheadings, and social media copy that is engaging and optimized for clicks and shares.
  • Develop a portfolio of published work by consistently producing high-quality content throughout the internship.
  • Analyze audience engagement metrics and content performance to understand what resonates with our readers and inform future content strategy.
  • Adhere to strict deadlines in a fast-paced newsroom environment, managing multiple assignments simultaneously without sacrificing quality.
  • Uphold ethical journalism standards in all reporting, ensuring fairness, balance, and transparency in your work.
  • Provide general administrative and research support to the editorial staff as needed to ensure the smooth operation of the newsroom.
  • Revise and edit copy based on constructive feedback from editors, demonstrating an ability to learn and adapt your writing style.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist with the management and scheduling of content on the company's social media platforms to drive engagement and traffic.
  • Provide support in transcribing interviews and organizing research materials for senior reporters and the editorial team.
  • Monitor competing publications, news feeds, and social media trends to identify breaking news and potential story leads.
  • Help maintain and update internal databases of contacts, sources, and archival content for the newsroom.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Exceptional command of the English language, with mastery of grammar, punctuation, and AP Style.
  • Proficiency in digital research tools, search engine optimization (SEO) best practices, and online databases.
  • Experience with Content Management Systems (CMS) such as WordPress or similar platforms.
  • Familiarity with basic photo and video editing software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Canva) is a strong plus.
  • Knowledge of social media platforms (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok) for newsgathering and distribution.
  • Strong fact-checking and verification skills to ensure accuracy and journalistic integrity.

Soft Skills

  • Innate curiosity and a passion for finding and telling compelling stories.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to conduct professional and empathetic interviews.
  • Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple assignments and meet tight deadlines.
  • A high level of attention to detail and a commitment to precision and accuracy.
  • Ability to work collaboratively within a team environment and readily accept constructive feedback.
  • Resilience and a proactive, problem-solving attitude in a fast-paced, high-pressure news environment.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Currently enrolled in or a recent graduate of a Bachelor's degree program.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications, English, or a related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Journalism
  • Communications
  • Political Science
  • English

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 0 - 1 year of relevant experience.

Preferred:

  • Previous experience writing for a student newspaper, website, blog, or other publication. A portfolio with 2-3 diverse writing samples is highly encouraged.
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