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 2024 INTERNSHIP
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. 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 or in their studio downtown. The Converge Media Premier Intern will receive a $2,500 stipend at the end of the 10-week quarter. The deadline for applications is September 8 and the selected intern will begin work on or around September 30, 2024.
WINTER 2025 INTERNSHIP
KNKX:
The KNKX intern will be tasked with writing copy and gathering sound for daily newscasts and producing at least one feature for broadcast and web during Winter Quarter. They may also gather tape or contribute research for host segments or other staff member’s enterprise reporting. As a full member of the KNKX news team, they will be expected to share their ideas and provide input that shapes coverage. KNKX is an independent public radio station broadcasting across western Washington. KNKX reaches hundreds of thousands of listeners every week on air and online. KNKX informs, inspires, and connects the communities we serve 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 on beats including affordability, climate and culture. A successful intern will produce work that complements KNKX’s existing coverage, 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. The ability to meet deadlines and adhere to a precise broadcast clock will be necessary in the position. 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 1 p.m., and they will be encouraged to join weekly newsroom meetings held on Fridays at 10 a.m. (held 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 17, 2024 and the selected intern will begin work on or around January 6, 2025.
SPRING 2025 INTERNSHIP
Crosscut/Cascade Media:
Crosscut and Cascade Public Media will staff one UW Premier Intern in Spring 2024 and one in Autumn 2024. These interns will be responsible for reporting and writing at least four stories over the quarter and writing content for the 2024 Crosscut Voter Guide, as well as additional peripheral duties as needed. Crosscut is a non-profit, reader-supported news site that focuses on public affairs reporting. The interns chosen for these positions will be advanced JPIC students who have strong writing and reporting skills, can work independently, take edits openly, and have the ability to hit deadlines in a fast-paced news atmosphere. The intern in this position will likely already have some experience writing for publication and have completed either or both of COM 362 or COM 364. The interns will work about 10 to 20 hours per week in this position and will be guided by Crosscut’s editorial team. The intern will be required to work at least one day per week in-person at the Crosscut offices on First Hill and will attend editorial meetings on Tuesday afternoons. Other work will be done from home. The intern will receive a $4,000 stipend for the 10-week quarter. Applications for the Spring Crosscut position should be submitted before Feb. 5, 2024 to ensure consideration. Applications for the Autumn Crosscut position should be submitted before Aug. 1, 2024 to ensure consideration. The deadline for applications is February 16, 2024 and the selected intern will begin work on or around March 31, 2025.
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.