The Premier Internship Program recruits, mentors, and places the top Journalism and Public Interest Communication students from the University of Washington in internships at select outlets around Puget Sound.
These internships are hands-on positions for students who are reliable, can work independently, and have some experience in journalistic coursework. One of the largest benefits for students in the Premier Internship Program is that once you are vetted by UW faculty, you are placed at the outlet, without the pressure and time of applying in a general pool of interns. Students are interviewed before placement, and mentored throughout the experience. Most internships are 20 hours per week, one-quarter, paid positions that allow students to earn course credits if they’d like. Available internships vary each year depending on the needs of employers.
Currently available internships
AUTUMN 2025 INTERNSHIPS
Converge Media:
Converge Media is a leading producer of culturally relevant content with a focus on community issues, equitable access to elected officials, and life in the Pacific Northwest. The Converge Media intern will work 10-20 hours per week covering news and features for digital publication. Opportunities for video, broadcast, or podcast work could exist for the right candidate. Interns in this position should be driven to do work in journalism and media, and should have a passion for writing about public officials and public issues in Seattle, including some government meeting coverage. Converge is looking for interns who can commit to working as part of their team, who are self-starters, and people who bring an attitude of innovation to everything they do. They are also looking for students with an interest in broadcast production, both locally and nationally. Interns in this position will have a flexible work week, and some work will be required in-person at Converge’s production office in Capitol Hill (on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays) or in their studio downtown. The ideal candidate would be able to attend news meetings on Fridays at 9 a.m., and if they are interested in broadcast they should have Sundays from 12-5 p.m. and/or Thursdays early morning open to attend tapings. The Converge Media Premier Intern will receive a $3,000 stipend at the end of the 10-week quarter. The deadline for applications is September 12 and the selected intern will begin work on or around September 29, 2025.
WINTER 2026 INTERNSHIP
KNKX:
KNKX has an exciting opportunity for someone who wants to expand their current audio journalism skills, or who is interested in applying their skills to radio. The KNKX intern will contribute to crafting our local newscasts that air throughout much of Western Washington. They will write copy and gather sound with the opportunity to produce at least one feature for broadcast and web during the Winter Quarter. They may also gather tape or contribute research for host segments or other staff member’s enterprise reporting. They will be welcomed as a full member of the KNKX news team and expected to share their ideas and provide input that shapes coverage.KNKX is an independent public radio station broadcasting reaching hundreds of thousands of listeners every week on air and online with jazz, blues, NPR and regional news. The news hosts and reporters deliver memorable stories and trusted information every day for an increasingly racially diverse audience. The news team is focused on producing ambitious and creative reporting with an emphasis on arts and science. A successful intern will produce work that complementsKNKX’s existing coverage, will refine their writing, audio production, and voicing skills, and bolster their reporting portfolio. Experience with digital audio editing and news writing and an interest in narrative journalism and broadcasting is helpful. Demonstrated ability to work independently while embracing a collaborative editing process is key. This position requires good communication and involves meeting deadlines. The intern will have access to the field recording equipment and audio editing software necessary to file for KNKX. Access to a car would be helpful in getting to assignments outside of downtown Seattle, but is not required. The intern will work 16 to 20 hours a week on a schedule guided by KNKX’s editorial team. Ideally, they will be able to work one full eight-hour day a week from KNKX’s Seattle studios at Pike Place Market. On the days they are working, they will be asked to attend the daily news meetings in person, at 9:40 a.m. and they will be encouraged to join weekly newsroom meetings held on Tuesdays at 9:40 a.m. (in person and on Zoom). The intern will receive a $4,000 stipend for the 10-week quarter. Interns may also earn course credit. The deadline for applications is November 21, 2025 and the selected intern will begin work on or around January 5, 2026.
SPRING 2026 INTERNSHIP
KUOW:
KUOW is Washington’s largest NPR News and Information station and one of the premier public radio stations in the country. We are an independent, nonprofit news organization that produces award-winning journalism, innovative podcasts, engaging community events, and more. Our studios are in the University District, not far from the UW campus. We are looking for an intern who is passionate about daily news and audio storytelling. You will work closely with our experienced team of reporters and editors and will receive close supervision and mentoring. You will be assigned primarily to our newsroom and will report and write short daily news stories on a variety of topics for radio and web. As your skills evolve, you will have the opportunity to pitch, report and produce one longer feature story. In addition, and depending on your interest, you also may have opportunities to work with other teams at KUOW, including our Podcast Unit, our daily talk show Soundside and our daily news podcast Seattle Now. We expect you to work 16-20 hours a week and we will pay a stipend of $4,000 for the 10-week period. Distribution of the stipend will occur in two phases: $2,000 midway through the quarter, and $2,000 at the end of the quarter. It would be helpful to be available for at least one full 8-hour day per week (9am-5pm) so you can experience a full daily news cycle. To be a successful member of our team, you must be a self-starter. You must also work well in a team and be open to receiving feedback and rigorous editing of your stories. Prior daily journalism experience is a must. Radio writing and audio production skills are helpful, although not required. The deadline for applications is March 10 and the selected intern will begin work on or around March 30, 2026.
To apply to the program, please submit your application here before the deadline: https://forms.gle/C1KhRnQRaeN224mm8. Questions about the program can be directed to Teaching Professor Andrea Otáñez at aotanez@u.washington.edu.